Something Amazing Happened To Meagan

The blistering sun was beaming at her face when she woke up and looked around her. Fiercely shaking, she could not feel her face! It was completely numb from the wintry weather. She glanced in the rearview mirror and spotted her frostnip nose. She felt ruined and defeated that morning. Her body was sore from sleeping in the car. It was not just another bad day for her; it was one of the awfullest moments in her life. To make matters worse, stranded outside her motel room. She had left her key inside the room and had tried calling every number that was available to her.

She glanced out of her car window and saw the wet snow that was melting. Instead of white glistening snow, it looked gray and filthy. The snow was so messy and slushy; it robbed it of its original beauty.

She closed her eyes and tears rolled down her face. She sat there trying to put the pieces together. It was all so surreal, less than 48 hours she was living comfortably. She could not believe they forced her to abandon her home. Meagan was so distraught she felt there wasn't any other way for her to save her children. Although the numerous obstacles she faces, embarrassed by the situation she was determined to overcome this challenge.

In reviewing her life, Meagan Leonora Smith, a 32-year-old single mother who works as an administrative assistant. She enjoys painting, watching sports, and writing whenever she can. Meagan is in pretty good shape. She has red hair, light, and blue eyes. She grew up in a suburban neighborhood and after her mother died, raised by her aunt.

Meagan asked herself how and when did it get so bad? I am now homeless and my children are homeless!

Cling, Cling, finally a housekeeper shows up around 6 am. Meagan jumped out of the car and said to the housekeeper “I lost my key can you please let me in my room.” The housekeeper remembered her from yesterday and responded, ‘yes.’ They both walked over to the room, and the housekeeper opened the door. Meagan was so grateful replies with ‘Thank you’.’”

In her motel room, Meagan rushed to get in the shower. She had an appointment in less than an hour and did not want to show up late. Her self-esteem at that point was so low that it made it difficult to decide on a business suit to wear.

Meagan’s eyes filled with tears as she remembered dropping her children off at their aunt's house where they would stay until she could secure them a new home. With little monetary resources and living on paycheck to paycheck, now homeless, she just felt detached. “How am I going to make it through this day?” she asked herself.

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Jack Diamond, Meagan’s co-worker, a middle-aged man, thin, slightly balding and married, rushes in and throws his heavy coat on the chair. Abruptly interrupting Meagan from her private thoughts, she looks up at him.

Jack mutters, “It is freezing outside. Meagan our first appointment today is in 30 minutes we need to find the right people to fill these positions. The list of final questions is ready?”

Meagan replies, “Yes, I am ready. Let’s hope we did an excellent job at pre-screening these candidates.”

“Jack, do you have everything ready on your end? We have to make sure we are following the NJ State mandates. Are the chairs arranged 6 feet apart? The sanitizer bottle is by the front door for the candidates to use as they walk in? The extra masks are on your desk.”

Meagan was thinking in the middle of everything that is going on a pandemic! This new COVID-19 virus is spreading in the community at a lightning rate and is alarming.

“Yes, Meagan, everything is in its place.” Jack replied.

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A loud thumping sound coming from the door startled Jack and Meagan. Jack got up from his chair and walked over and opened the door. Right before him, was a tall, thin, blond-haired, fair skin lady with an unusually heavy French accent asking to speak to Meagan Smith. Jack looked back and pointed to Meagan. Meagan jumped up from her chair and responded swiftly, “I am Meagan, how can I help you?”

Extending her hand, the tall thin lady said, “I am Lucy Devaux and I am from the magazine Young Authors. They announced the Young Authors contest winners last evening. And your submission Samantha Kennedy’s Journey placed first, from over 100 short stories. I am here to commend you on your well-organized, fluent writing. You have won the first prize, and I have a check here for $20,000.”

Meagan with an astound look of unbelief on her face jumped up and down and said, “I cannot believe it. I won first prize, 20,000! I'm going to cry. I submitted Samantha Kennedy’s Journey and had many doubts about that short story. Ms. Devaux, you cannot believe what this means to me. This money has come at an excellent time.”

Ms. Devaux responded, “Well, Meagan, I read the story, and it moved me. All the judges agreed this story was original, and we all related to it in such a way that it left us wanting to read it again.”

“The protagonist, Samantha Kennedy, a middle-aged woman who pursues her career, despite the many horrifying and unjust times that she faced in her life. At 55 years old, a single woman, they ridiculed her for wanting to go back to school and wanting to better herself. I faced this character with a variety of challenges, including comments made by other people that caused her to feel like she would never achieve her goals.”This character was hard to build, Meagan continued, but I could finally make my vision for her come true.”

Ms. Devaux hands Meagan the $20,000 check and also pulls out from her gigantic yet fashionable yellow purse a little black leather book and gives it to Meagan. “Meagan, they fill this little black book with writing prompts and many blank pages. This is the most sought-after little black book. We hope you can continue your writing and document your stories. We encourage you to submit fresh stories in our new upcoming contest.”

“Meagan also with this prize we expect you to join us at the Writer’s Gala where you will be recognized for your excellent achievement. The details will be emailed to you shortly. We will hold the gala in New York, so you will have an all-expense-paid trip to New York and you will stay in one of our luxurious Beverly Hills New York hotels for the 3 days that you are there.” “Meagan, it was wonderful to meet you and I will see you in about 2 weeks at the Writer’s Gala and Award Ceremony.”

Ms. Devaux plays with her blond hair and leaves the office. At that very moment, Meagan breaks down into tears; she just could not believe what had just happened. She started her gloomy day with no hope at all and cannot believe she has won this cash prize. She stops for a moment and stares at the $20,000 check.

Her thoughts, now she could find a home to live in and pay those outstanding bills that were just hanging over her head and not allowing her to move forward in life. Before receiving the $20,000, she just did not know what she was going to do next. This money meant she could bring her kids back together and provide a roof over her head. Being a single mother was extremely difficult, and with a deadbeat father that just provided nothing for his children, it made everything harder. It dealt Meagan such a terrible hand in life. Life has been extremely hard for her and her two boys.

Jack is ferociously competitive, but he walked over and congratulated Meagan. “Meagan, congratulations on a job well done. Just imagine you walked in here today expecting to meet candidates for the open positions. And were surprised with $20,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to one of New York’s finest hotels. Hurray for you and your excellent writing.”

“I am certain you have many plans for that money. And how exciting, New York!”Jack said.

Meagan continued to work so excitedly that she could not concentrate. Finally, Meagan looks up at the oversized enormous clock on the wall and realizes it is time for lunch. “I will be right back, Jack! Meagan said with excitement. Meagan drove right to the bank and deposited her check.

While at the bank, he makes small talk with the teller and explains that she just won that prize and it was all so unexpected. The teller praises her and hands her the copy of her deposit slip. Meagan stares at it and contemplates it was all so magnificent. She will frame the slip and keep it as a reminder to never lose hope.

Meagan gets in her car and stops at the nearest convenience store and picks up a newspaper. She is hoping to find leads for a new home for herself and her children. She reads the classified section of the newspaper and there were a couple of good leads. She sits in her car and makes a few appointments before she runs back into the office to work the last 3 hours of her shift.

Jack turns to Meagan at 4 pm. “I will see you tomorrow. Congratulations again, Meagan.”

Meagan stands up, grabs her purse, coat and heads out the front door. For the first time, she feels hopeful again. This is the best she had felt in a long time. She hoped that when she got to her 4:30 pm appointment that the place is a perfect fit for her and her children.