Valerie missed her job interview while rescuing an elderly man who collapsed on a bustling Chicago street. She flipped open her purse, tallied the few crumpled bills inside, and let out a deep sigh. Her cash was vanishing fast, and landing a decent position in the Windy City proved tougher than shed ever imagined. She ran a mental inventory of her necessities, trying to steady her racing heart. The freezer held a pack of chicken thighs and some frozen burgers; the pantry stocked rice, pasta, and a box of tea bags. For the moment, she could make do with a gallon of milk and a loaf of bread from the corner shop.
Mom, where are you going? little Tessa bolted out of her room, her big brown eyes scanning Valeries face with worry.
Dont fret, sweetheart, Valerie replied, forcing a smile to mask her nerves. Moms just off to look for work. And guess what? Aunt Zoe and her son Parker will be stopping by soon to keep you company.
Parkers coming? Tessas face lit up, clapping her hands excitedly. Will they bring Muffin?
Muffin was Zoes tabby cat, a cuddly fluffball that Tessa adored. Zoe, the neighbor, had offered to watch Tessa while Valerie headed to a downtown interview at a fooddistribution firm. Getting to the office meant a long ride on buses and trains, far longer than the interview itself.
It had been more than two months since Valerie and Tessa moved to the City of Winds. Valerie blamed herself for the impulsive choice: uprooting her life with a young daughter, draining most of her savings on rent and groceries, all while hoping to land a job quickly. Chicagos job market was ruthless. Even with two college degrees and relentless determination, securing steady work felt like chasing a mirage. Back in Peoria, Illinois, her mother Linda and younger sister Emma depended on her as the familys rock; they werent exactly selfsufficient.
Muffin will stay home, honey, Valerie said gently. He hates road trips. Well visit Aunt Zoes place soon, and you can hug him all you want.
I want a cat too! Tessa pouted, crossing her arms.
Valerie chuckled and shook her head. Tessa always got that way whenever pets were mentioned. In Peoria, at Grandma Lindas house, theyd left Shadow, a sleek black cat, and Peanut, a tiny yappy dog. Tessa played with them whenever she visited and now missed them terribly.
Sweetie, our lease doesnt allow pets, Valerie explained. Not even a goldfish?
Not even a goldfish? Tessa raised an eyebrow in surprise.
No, not even a goldfish.
At that moment, pets were the least of Valeries worries. Her thoughts were laserfocused on securing employment. Her dwindling savings were slipping away, each day bringing fresh anxiety. She had managed to pay six months rent in advance, but that had almost left her penniless.
The doorbell rang, pulling Valerie from her reverie. Zoe and her fiveyearold son Parker stood on the threshold, Zoe clutching a tupperware of homemade chocolatechip cookies and a slice of her mothers famous lemon pound cake. Like Valerie, Zoe was a single mother who lived with her parents in a cramped apartment nearby. Saving for a place of their own in Chicago felt as unlikely as winning the lottery.
Valerie Missed Her Job Interview to Save an Elderly Man Collapsing on a Busy Street in London!
