Connie packed her bag with some makeup and a change of clothes before leaving for the bus stop. It was cold as she stood shivering in the shelter praying the bus would arrive soon. It hadn't snowed yet, but it was in the air and only a matter of time before winter blanketed the city starting the long winter of northern Ontario. The bus didn't arrive soon enough, but she couldn't help but get excited about leaving the cold weather when it pulled to a stop in front of her.
Walking to the back of the bus she curled in to a seat by the window. It would be a long trip to the big city where her friend had moved a lifetime ago. Connie was excited and scared about leaving home for the first time. She knew her small hometown was not enough for her and finally decided it was time to leave only two weeks after her birthday. Her mother was broken hearted and couldn't understand her need to start her own life. Connie wasn't great in school, in fact she was happy to have graduated. Toronto would provide her opportunities to make a future for herself.
"Is this seat taken?" Connie awoke startled to a tall thin guy pointing at the seat beside her.
"Pardon?" Still groggy, she didn't realize she had fallen asleep.
"Oh yeah, sure." She pulled her bag on her lap and the young man sat down beside her.
Wiping the fog from the window she peered out, "Where are we?"
"The Sault." The young man popped an ear bud in and turned his player on.
Between sleeps they chatted. The man had introduced himself as Trent and explained he was heading home to Toronto after visiting a friend. As they talked Connie tried to figure out how old he was; she guessed that he was in his late twenties. Connie explained she was moving to the big city.
The big bus rolled to a stop at the rest area so its passengers could rest and grab something to eat. Connie and Trent shared a table while they ate.
"Any idea how much further?" Connie's voice was exhausted from the long trip.
Trent smiled, "Almost there. A little less than an hour away. We just passed Barrie."
Connie was happy to have someone to keep her company on the long trip. It was strangely comforting having Trent to speak to.
Trent had been correct, less than an hour later they pulled up to Union Station. Connie couldn't help but look up at the tall buildings, crowds and busy streets. She had never seen anything so beautiful. Retrieving her small suitcase she scanned the crowd looking for her friend. After a few minutes of looking, she began to panic when she couldn't find her.
"Friend not here yet?" Trent stepped up beside her with his bag slung over his shoulder.
"I don't see her yet." Connie tried to hide the concern in her voice.
"If you want, I'll wait with you until she shows." Trent could tell she was beginning to panic.
It was about fifteen minutes before she saw Beth walking briskly towards them. Connie's heart finally returned to normal and she pointed Beth out to Trent.
"It was nice meeting you Connie." Trent held his hand out for her.
Smiling Connie shook his hand, "Thanks for keeping me company."
Trent ripped a piece of paper, scribbled his number on it and handed it to Connie, "Give me a call if you want to hang out some time."
"Thanks." Connie watched Trent disappear in to the crowded streets.
Connie hugged Beth tightly, "I was getting nervous you weren't coming."
"My boss was being a dick, took longer to get out of work than expected." Beth shrugged. "Let's get you home, you must be exhausted."
It was a short walk from the subway and they arrived at a tall apartment building. The elevator creaked and popped as it made the slow trip to the eleventh floor. Connie noted that the apartment was small and seriously outdated as Beth gave the tour. One bedroom, a small bath and tiny kitchen constituted the tour before flopping down on a futon in its tiny living room.
Beth spread her arms wide engulfing the apartment, "welcome home."
"Thanks for letting me live with you." Connie stood and hugged her.
"No problemo sister, me coucha your coucha!" The girls laughed.
During the day, Beth toured Connie around letting her know where to go and more importantly, where not to go. At night Beth worked at the diner leaving Connie alone. For the first few days, she tried to make herself useful cleaning their little apartment. The remainder of the week was spent searching for a job in the newspapers that Beth brought home from the diner.
After days of filling out applications from secretary to cleaner, she had not received a single phone call. The two interviews she had seemed promising, but the phone never rang. As she sat in the empty apartment, the frustration and boredom came to a head. Digging through her bag, she pulled the tiny folded paper that Trent had given her.
Trent's distinct voice spoke in her ear, "Hello?"
"Hi Trent, this is Connie. You know from the..." She was cut off by Trent quickly.
"Connie! I was beginning to think you would never call."
She was happy to have someone to talk to, "I've just been getting settled and trying to find a job."
"Any luck?"
"Not yet." Connie sighed in to the phone.
"Just be patient, something will come." Trent's voice soothed her.
"I just can't wait to start pulling my weight, you know?" Her frustration came through.
"You need to get out!" His voice was upbeat.
"I can't afford to go out. Did I mention I need a job?" Connie's voice was defeated.
"It's on me. You can take me out when you get a job. Deal?"
Connie tore through her suitcase trying to find something to wear. Finally settling on a pair of jeans, tan cowl neck sweater and fur trimmed mukluk boots she looked at her reflection. That's as good as it gets.
The buzzer honked through the apartment; Trent had arrived right on time.
"I'll be right down!" She grabbed her purse and headed out the door.
Trent was standing in the lobby when the elevator opened. They looked at each other and decided on an awkward hug before heading out on the street.
"So, where we going?" Connie was happy to be out.
"I know this great bar, you are going to love it."
Connie's heart sank, "I'm not old enough."
"What? Seriously? How old are you?" Trent's voice was shocked.
"Eighteen. How old did you think I was?"
"Doesn't matter, they won't ask for ID, I know the owner." Trent shook his head playful. "Eighteen."
Connie gave him a playful shove.
Trent was right; they didn't look at her twice when she walked past the bouncer. At the bar, he bought her vodka lemonade. Standing at the bar, she looked out over the small crowded bar; smoke floated on the ceiling as techno music pounded against her chest.
Waving in to the crowd, Trent grabbed her hand and guided her to the booths at the back of the bar. Sitting in the booth was an older guy with a woman who appeared to be his wife. Trent quickly introduced Jason and Diana to her before sliding in to the booth. They were friendly and immediately starting inquiring how Trent had met Connie. Trent explained that she had just moved here and just getting settled in.
Jason yelled over the music, "Let me guess. You're a model?"
"Hardly." Connie laughed.
