The 360 West Project

Neighbors are peering through their windows, opening their ears, and getting as involved as they possibly can be, or want to be for that matter. All to hear the screaming of the family down the street. It’s their weekly routine. Everyone notices, but won’t say anything in fear of being labeled the “nosey neighbors” that every other family on the block tries to avoid.

In the house of the bickering family is a seventeen year old girl, her little sister, her naive mother, and abusive step-father. She can’t force herself to take the constant fights, physical or verbal.

Midnight strikes the clock and everyone is released to their own rooms, their own sanctuaries, the only place to feel a sense of security. The girl locks her door and begins to open bags and fill them with clothes, blankets, and everything essential she can see through her vision which is now blurred by a wall of tears. The last thing she grabs is her wallet. Inside was a new license with the name Amanda Smith printed on the flimsy plastic. She fills it with her savings of $3,000, that had stayed hidden under her mattress for years. She finally closes the picked luggage, opens her window and escapes into the brisk fall night.

Days pass and she still hasn’t found anywhere to stay, other than shabby motels and cheap hotels. Her money is running short. She searches for a job for a week before hearing a response from a trashy diner a block down from the last motel she waster her money at. She works double-shifts and it still isn’t enough to pay for the necessary food and water she has deprived herself of.

Although times at home are hard, she can’t help but miss her own bed. Thoughts of her little sister push her to head home.

She arrives at her house and stands in front of her front door, just pondering. She debated on whether or not to go in, in fear of the fights, in hopes of seeing her much missed little sister. Her hand turns the door knob and with every ounce of effort in her body, she pushes it open.

To her surprise, she is welcomed with open arms, and long embraces. It was the first time in years she had felt this, and for once she felt completely happy.