420 2E

The painting on the walls is randomly positioned to give it some normal feel that doesn't work. The clock is ready to go. It is sitting on the radiator that's is not working. Next to it are two branches of lemongrass in water that are surprisingly growing. The small window next to it on the top of the fire escape has a couple of plants in need of serious care. The kitchen table is always full of stuff. Every time she looked around, she felt trapped.

Surrounded by unpleasant people and things, she dreamed of getting out. When she gets out of the car, she rushes into the building in hopes that she sees no one. The hallway usually smells like someone is smoking weed. The elevator is always stuck on the second floor where she lived. Her neighbors played loud music at any hour of the day. The radiators made hissing sounds all day and night during the winter. In the summertime, a couple of older men blast the same tunes from the 70s and 80s outside from their car right under the window.

When someone knocks on the door, both of them get startled. Maybe he's back. We hope not, but who knows; he has no logical actions like others do. One day he did knock. I didn't look through the peephole of the door. I opened the door and saw his face again. He tried to push himself his weight right through, but I pushed back and locked the door. I hadn't decided if he was dangerous or not. But it was clear, and he was not allowed in my house, ever!

She prayed every day, "Lord, please, show me a way out."