Final Draft

Life’s Unexpected Changes

There was the sound of crying that filled the air, within the walls of the Valley Church Orphanage. This sadness belonged to Mary, who at that time was ten years old. Her innocence was like that of a child who had not yet seen the evils of the world, which her eyes forbade her to see. She had the most searching eyes which were a daring colour of grey. Her skin was soft and bright like that of a piece of beige coloured silk cloth. How could someone as pure and angelic as her be allowed to experience the life that she had?

Both of her parents were dead, which was how she came to end up in the orphanage. Mary witnessed the death of her parents when she was only five. She saw their bodies becoming engulfed by the fire that ravaged through the house where they lived, as she made her way to safety. The burns that she received were the constant reminders of life’s unwillingness for her to be happy. In fact as the years went by her life went from bad to worst. She was moved from one foster home to the next. She had become rebellious and so she tried her endeavour best not to allow anyone to get to close. Her life was now a closed book, forbidden to be opened.

At the age of 18, after Mary was still without a home, it was time for her to say goodbye to the orphanage as she was now and adult. Mary tried earnestly to find a job, however because of her poor level of education she was denied over and over again. She eventually became a lady of the night, selling her pride and dignity in order to put a roof over her head and food in her mouth. This was not something that she favored as it brought her more grief than benefits; however she had to get used to it as it was the only door that was open to her.

One night while Mary was out trying to make ends meet, she was approached by a customer who referred to himself only as Bill. He offered Mary the monies she requested for her services and so both of them made their way back to his hotel room. As he peered into her eyes, he could not help but wonder if he knew her. Her searching grey eyes where the only thing about her that had not changed. He could not keep himself from uttering her name, just to ensure that she was who he thought she was. Their eyes had not crossed paths since Mary stayed with him and his wife as their foster child. It bothered him to know that he could have prevented this from happening to Mary, if only he had given her a second chance. Now, he was not going to let this chance slip through his fingers.