The Best Intentions [part II]

by Ana Cristina

The light turned green and Thomas drove away, soon forgetting all about the woman and the twenty dollar bill.

Less than 24 hours later, an ambulance was racing through the city, weaving through traffic and running past stop signs, the paramedics inside struggling to resuscitate the woman strapped to the table.

Before they even reached the hospital, though, she was dead from a heroin overdose. One of the paramedics, a young woman in her twenties named Marci, was trying hard not to cry. Her partner, a stocky fifty year-old named Bruno, turned to her and said softly, “These damn junkies, they never learn. New York is full of ‘em.”

Marci ignored him as she stared at the lifeless woman on the table, wondering if she’d ever learn to affect the same distance to the dead that Bruno had learned.

The dead woman’s arms were criss-crossed with the scars of countless needles. Her wide open eyes were a faded blue, like over-washed jeans. Like all the living had left long before her soul slipped out the door.

Comments

Average Reader Rating: 5.0 stars out of 5

  1. The Best Intentions [part II]

    i live NYLSC's Buddy Icon i live NYLSC

    Posted 7 months ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    wow i didn’t see that coming. the worst is that, that happens all the time in real life

  2. The Best Intentions [part II]

    Mistress Elsha Hawk's Buddy Icon Mistress Elsha Hawk

    Posted 7 months ago

    “Her wide open eyes were a faded blue, like over-washed jeans. Like all the living had left long before her soul slipped out the door.” So vivid! But where is the money? This could be the tale of a twenty. :)
    LoA

  3. The Best Intentions [part II]

    Ana Cristina's Buddy Icon Ana Cristina

    Posted 7 months ago

    I have no idea what a twenty can buy you in the NYC drug scene, but I assume someone can score a hit with $20, even if the merchandise is of dubious origins.
    Thanks for the comments!

  4. The Best Intentions [part II]

    SKermitgorf's Buddy Icon SKermitgorf

    Posted 7 months ago

    makes me leary of giving money now… great cause and effect story.

  5. The Best Intentions [part II]

    SKermitgorf's Buddy Icon SKermitgorf

    Posted 7 months ago

    great idea about the twenty Mistress elsha Hawk

  6. The Best Intentions [part II]

    OrangeOreos' Buddy Icon OrangeOreos

    Posted 7 months ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    Poor addicts. It’s true that you never know what people spend their money on.
    Could be food and taxes, could be drugs or alcohol.

    Awesome twist though!

  7. The Best Intentions [part II]

    Mistress Elsha Hawk's Buddy Icon Mistress Elsha Hawk

    Posted 7 months ago

    thanks kermit! And in response to Ana, perhaps some pills…..?

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