No Money

She wept, staring into the emptiness of her polka dot green and blue wallet. She quietly walked over to the information desk to report the stolen items. The culprit had taken everything. He had taken everything, her phone, her money, her credit cards, and even her identity. Money was all she could think about. She was already struggling to pay for her kid’s education, their housing, and food. She felt so upset, so angry. She lost her job. She lost her money. She was losing control of her life. Depressing thoughts raced through her mind. Would she have to give up her home and beg for money on the street? Money, money, money. Why did it have so much power over her life? She began to near the information desk placing one foot in front of the other. Only five steps left. She reigned in her emotions and began to spill the details of her stolen possessions. The front desk personnel informed her they were unable to help. She began to speak faster as she explained her life story and her problems, not able to repress the feelings anymore. The front desk personnel once again informed her that they were unable to help. She picked up her bag, determined to find the culprit and have the money returned. She didn’t care about the phone. She cared about her children and how she would provide for them. She started at the stores. What if the money had accidentally fallen out? She asked the store clerks for help and video footage. After a few solid hours of searching, everything was still missing. She sat on a bench in the food court, contemplating her options but she was frustrated and out of energy. She walked back to the information desk to give one last effort at finding the money. Yet again they informed her they could not help. She considered not returning home because without the money she was unable to care for her children. She didn’t even have enough money to feed them. She began to bawl in the middle of the shopping mall. She reached for her purse one last time to verify the money was missing, but her entire purse was now gone. Everything was gone and she no longer cared.