This was very quick as the other one is long. Personally I think I can’t win PCH as long as I live here–they see the zip code and think “all apartment buildings.” But I don’t really believe in lotteries or pennies from heaven
Every week day as she filled the PCH lotto form without once accidentally ordering anything she imagined what her life would be like if she won.
At work nobody knew she had a brain. As she filled out the data entry forms she would daydream about a world unlike any she knew.
The forms were simple. Rosanna heard people talk about her: “Simple and plain.” “Look at her; she doesn’t even try to dress well or wear make up.” “At least she’s clean.”
As she heard each slight she would imagine a comeback but she knew she wasn’t clever enough to say something that might sting.
Rosanna had been longing for a boyfriend for as long as she could remember. Even more than that, she imagined a girlfriend. Just one that she could have long conversations with, laugh with, or talk about nothing as other people seemed to do so readily.
Most people left exactly at five. She would wait until six as she made minimum wage and the hour overtime was a necessity. Then she would walk the ten blocks to her rooming house where she would timidly smile at whatever residents passed her.
One had once invited her to a movie. Rosanna couldn’t afford the ticket price so she had said no, and the person never talked to her again.
Rosanna knew that this was just a passing phase. She never thought how it had been 25 years since she dropped out of high school. The PCH lotto said that somebody with the initials RS in her zip code had to win, and she knew it was just a matter of time. Yes, sir, she knew it.
pia… this feel so much like the inner dialogs i have had so many times….
i don’t enter the PCH or any other lotteries,, as i cannot be trusted with that kind of money.. i’d kill myself in a week….
Really liked this one – Rosanna is perfect and the story shines!
Rosanna sound like she has inner strength to keep her going even if she doesn’t win the lotto
I love the optimism – sometimes that’s all we’ve got to keep going. Great story.
Thats SO true of many people! I have this conversation with my colleague – LOL! It’ll be ok when I win the lottery! Not much of a hope to base ones life around. Great story Pia, and YES I have managed to gain access to your blog for once
You win the day again. Nice going. I’m going to buy that lottery ticket now.
Hope isnt bad, I think she has optimism, a wonderful trait…really liked this one too. Thanks.
Hope keeps us going. I like the optism in her.
oops!
*Optimism
nicely done–like the idea of hope (even if hoping to win the lotto is like hoping to be hit by a comet).
You make your characters come alive for me, and do it with apparent ease. You’re so talented at storytelling, Pia.
Pia-
Great use of the words! So glad I found you and 3WW!
Heather
That’s great story telling. You’ve described the scene very well. The conflict between her and the circumstances. How she cope with the situation. It touches me with regards to her life and how, despite her current simple life, she had high hopes of moving on. Great work!
geez, im a sucker for those faithful believers in tomorrow regardless of time… great story, pia
I agree, Pia. The character is perfect. Loved the timid smile line. You probably just described thousands and thousands of people. If we only knew…