Turning A Corner

Turning A Corner

Was it simply luck that had caused her to turn down this street? It wasn’t really a street, more like a passageway. She’d only stepped onto the neat cobblestones when she saw it. Just lying there. Glistening in the weak sunlight; waiting for her to come along and pick it up. So different from the cobblestones, the little white card seemed to glow. Did Annabelle hear a choir of angels from the puffy white clouds or was she just imagining things? Who dropped it? Or did someone throw it away? Did that matter? She picked it up. Scouring newspapers, the internet at the library, posters on cork boards, anywhere she could find them and even telephone pole, Annabelle had found many jobs. She dressed carefully each morning in her only dress and her only shoes; both showing age and wear. Mailing out many resumés, she had a few unsuccessful interviews and rent day was coming soon with no way to pay her landlord. 

Annabelle’s face fell when she read the card. It was her last failed interviewer’s card. She almost flung it back on the ground, but turned it over. A phone number, a name and a scribbled note. Deciphering the note, she read: need nanny, talk with Joe Farley at Agency. Should she call whoever wrote this note? What did she have to lose? She had wanted a nanny placement. She tried everything else.  She’d be brave and call just incase these people were still looking. 

~~~~~

Years later, her two charges were grown and had moved on with their lives. Sitting quietly with their father one evening, Annabelle pulled out the little card. A reminder for them both of the magic of the day she turned a corner.

~~~~~

“Ability is of little account without opportunity.”

~ Napoleon Bonaparte

Author’s note: Another writing exercise! 

                        Same website: writingexercises.co.uk 

The exercise: Random First Line: I chose: Was it simply luck that had caused her to turn down this street? From childhood, I was taught to always answer a question - and quickly. A story was not the best response then, but I am a bit older now. Still lots of questions and answers can be as long as I want them.