"Thank you so much for helping out tonight Rose! You, my dear, are a saint!"

I chuckle shyly and shake my head. "It's my pleasure, really! I'm happy to help." I say smiling as I hand out a plate full of food to the next person in line.

Lisa smiles as she begins to pass the drinks out and I pass the food out with a smile as I walk through the hall.

I'm currently working overtime in a soup kitchen for the homeless, one of my many side jobs I do to get by, this one being the most precious to me as everyone here is so nice and kind to me, and I feel like I'm making a change in the lives of people I speak to here, I have made many friends and met multiple people from all backgrounds as I listen to their stories with a full heart.

It doesn't pay me much but this isn't all about the money, I have been in the exact same place as the people here, I just barely got me and my brother, Max, a place of our own instead of a shelter.

If I can help someone, even just a little that is worth more to me than a paycheck.

I smile widely as I walk up to a bunch of men in rags as they wave at me and smile at me with their crooked teeth. "Rosie, shouldn't you be at home?" Rey asks me worriedly and I nod shly, passing him a plate with a beef sandwich and fruit.

"How is little Max? Doing ok in school?" Simon asks and I nod smiling widely.

I hold the empty tray against my chest. "He's doing really well adjusting, I was really worried he wouldn't make friends but.. he is thriving." I say with a smile on my lips and the man grins with a satisfied nod.

My phone beeps and I see a text from the babysitter, crap! "I have to go now guys, I'll see you all next week?" I ask hopeful as they all give me thumbs up with a cheeky grin, making me giggle.

"Of course, best sandwiches in town! Now go, be careful, it's getting dark Rosie girl." Roy says warningly and I laugh softly.

I give him a look and chuckle. "Always am! Goodnight guys, see you next week." I say with a wave and a smile as they all say 'goodnight' and 'take it easy' to me as I walk away with a warm smile on my face.

Looking over to Lisa I catch her attention as I zip up my coat and wave goodbye to her as she sits with a woman and her two children as Lisa speaks comfortingly to them. She waves me goodbye and I turn to leave the soup kitchen into the cold air of new york.

It's raining and freezing, I blow on my hands and see my breath in the air.

I need to get back to Max before the babysitter gets any more upset, I'm already an hour late.

Catching a cap almost instantly I give him my address as I sit back and release a tired sigh, I am beyond exhausted from the longest day I have had in a while, knowing I can't relax as tomorrow is going to be just as bad as I need to be awake in six hours for work at the diner.

Closing my eyes for a second I hear the taxi driver say we are here and I rub my eyes as I try to open them, noticing as I look outside the window that we are outside the building I now live at.

I pay the cab driver and get out, making my way to the front door and opening it.

It's quiet and I don't see the babysitter anywhere in sight, frowning I walk through the dark-lit apartment, I hear the television in my bedroom on and I walk towards my room.

I see Max wrapped up in my bed, his curly messy hair covering his face, he turns and smiles widely, showing the missing front tooth. "Rose!" He says excitably as he jumps off the bed, his tiny legs running up to me and hugging me tightly.

I pick him up and put him on the bed frowning. "Where is Stacey, Max?" I ask him worriedly.

He shrugs. "She let me watch TV and said be quiet, I don't like her Rose, she's mean." He says, his big blue eyes made my heart clench as I begin to feel guilt.

I wish I could stay home with him, he is only 6 and has already gone through so much already, but I need to make a living for both of us, it's only the two of us left, I need to provide so I can see him grow up healthy and happy.

"I'm so sorry Max." I say, tears threatening to fall as I swallow hard. "How about you sleep with me tonight? And tomorrow I will make you pancakes when I get home?" I say with a guilty smile as his eyes light up.

"Yes! I love pancakes!" He says giddily causing me to chuckle.

I ruffle his curly hair and smile down at him. "Go wash your face and brush your teeth, you have school tomorrow." I say as he nods his head happily, jumping off the bed and happily walking towards the bathroom.

I sit exhaustedly on my bed as I rub my eyes. Today has been tiring, working three jobs is having a toll on my weight and sleep, it feels like I barely see Max, but when I do he makes me feel so much better, he gives me the strength to work harder, I haven't seen him this happy since...

My phone beeps and I see that I have a text from an unknown number.

That is odd, I pick up my phone and I don't recognize the number.

Opening the text I stare at it confused.

Confirm on ship? It's S, msg bk as soon as pos! URGENT!!!

I don't know if I should reply back or not, from reading it.. it sounds important, figuring it's a business that mistakes my number for another and they are waiting for a shipment of goods for their shop.

I text back tiredly as best as I could and hit send.

Hello, I'm afraid you might have texted the wrong person

I wait for a reply but when nothing comes, I see Max run out of the bathroom and jump on the bed, I shake my head and smile, turning my phone and TV off and get ready for bed myself.

I feel as if my body will cave any moment with how tired I am.

Crawling into bed with Max curled up in my arms, I keep him warm the best I could in this cold dark room, hearing his breath even out as he falls asleep, I close my eyes and join him.

Letting my exhaustion take over, I close my eyes and dream pancakes with Max tomorrow.

I wake up to the sound of my phone ringing on the bedside table, Max stirs beside me and I look at the time, It's exactly thirty minutes before I usually wake up and get ready for work and drop Max off at morning breakfast at school.

I get out of bed and grab my phone, I walk out of the room and close the door gently as I can, I look at who's calling, and it's my manager at the diner I work at. I answer the phone without trying to wake Max up,

"Hello?" I say nervously as I pace the empty dark cold hallway of my apartment.

Tiffany's voice comes through. "Hey Rose, I'm sorry to contact you like this but it looks like we're going to have to let you go." She says and I freeze in my step.

I feel the room spin. "W-Why? Was it something I did? I can work harder, please! I really need this jo-"

She interrupts me. "I'm sorry, you can come and collect your paycheck for the two weeks, good luck Rose." She says without a shred of guilt then hangs up, leaving me staring at my phone in disbelief.

What am I going to do now? This is such a mess.. I needed that job, the paycheck from the two weeks isn't even going to cover half of my rent for the month.

I can't go back to the streets, I refuse! Max and I had just gotten a normal life, I can't take that away from him, he is finally beginning to smile and he has friends, I can't take that away from him.

The door to my bedroom opens and Max is tiredly rubbing his eyes. "Is it time for school?" He says and my heart breaks and tears threaten to spill from my eyes.

I need to find another job, I can't give up like this, Max is the most important person in my life, I can't fail him, as his big sister and the only family he has left, I will do anything to protect him.

I shake my head and force a smile. "Not yet buddy, did I wake you up?" I say bending down to his height.

He shakes his head, his curly hair bobbin. "I had a bad dream Rose.. you were gone, like mama and papa." He says and I swallow the lump in my throat.

"H-Hey, I'm not going anywhere! Let's go make breakfast okay? Anything you want!" I say smiling at him as his eyes light up.

"Waffles!" He says happily and I grin back, taking his hand to the kitchen and helping him up on the old dining chair as I begin to make breakfast for him.

I have just enough ingredients for waffles and pancakes tonight, I have enough money left for two days, after that, I am so screwed. I need to start looking for a new job as soon as I take Max to school.

That reminds me.

"Hey Maxy, how about I take you to school today?" I say as I begin to whisk the eggs.

I turn and see him looking at me with a look and I know instantly, this is the first time since his first day that I have taken him to school.

His head bobs up and he smiles widely at me with a toothy grin, the confused look on his face long gone, causing me to chuckle.

After pouring the mix into the waffle pan, I put his favorite on top and hang the plate to him, his eyes twinkle as he looks at the fluffy waffles he is addicted to, grabbing a fork to dig in.

I sit opposite him and watch him amusingly as he gets syrup all over his face, there's nothing in the world I love seeing more than Max happy, it makes me beyond happy knowing I'm not completely failing him.

After looking through the newspapers I had laying around, I skim every single job section and circle ones I am going to inquire about as Max finishes up his breakfast.

My phone beeps and I look at the time.

"Time for school buddy, brush your teeth and let's go, okay?" I say happily, closing the newspapers shut.

He jumps from the chair and runs into the bedroom to get ready as I let a heavy sigh out and look at my phone.

The number from last night texted me back, huh.. I thought that would be the end of that mistake and they wouldn't reply.

Opening the text I read what it says.

then who the fuck r u? I was given the right num

I grimace at his swearing and text back with a frown on my face.

This is Rose.. you definiently have the wrong number, I'm sorry I can't be of help to you

Their reply comes seconds later as I walk into my bedroom to get dressed.

Unknown number: Rose who? If I find out u lying to me, it will be bad for u

Is this person for real? They are so rude!! I type back annoyed.

Rose: Rose Clark! Who am I speaking to? You are incredibly rude to someone you don't even know!

I hit send and huff out annoyed. I should be used to people like this from working in a restaurant but to deal with this outside of work? I won't let someone harass me.

The phone beeps again and I look at it frustrated as I read the message, I feel myself get warm in my face as I stare in disbelief at the message, completely gobsmacked by the language.

Unknown number: calm down darling, sorry to bother u, enjoy ur day with a stick up ur ass