I awoke.

My eyelids were stuck together from sleep. With my fingers, I gently pried them open.  I stretched and immediately I could hear the snap and crackle of small twigs beneath me. Sounds a bit like popcorn, but without the amazing aroma.

Then I remembered where I was. The mountain dropped on my shoulders once again to take my breath away with its weight. 

"Shit."

I rolled back onto my back and gazed at the sunlight playing hide and seek with the shadows made by waiving cedar boughs.

I breathed in the invigorating rich, loamy smell of the earth mixed in with the ever present scent of evergreens. The smells and light effectively eased the burden even if it was just for a few minutes.

No matter what I do or where I go, I shall always adore the forest and all living things in it. It's a dance on my senses, a delight to my mind. Retreating to the trees always made me feel better.

But, I knew I could not lay there forever. Wanting to ignore the mountain just meant the mountain would not ignore me. What I didn't know, however, was how long I slept under that tree. It was afternoon when I arrived.

"No time like the present." I thought. Coming out from under the tree, my immediate need was finding a lonely bush to water.

TIP - Never grab the leaves with the prickly under side!

I picked up my jacket off the ground from inside the tree, shook it off and popped it into my plastic bag along with my sweater.  Stretching again, I can feel the muscles of my legs and back protest. Even my arms felt sore from the long journey I had made on foot without rest. Speaking of my feet, I tentatively looked at the bottoms of them and found what I expected. Bruises, cuts and some blood. I sat and carefully put socks on my feet leaving my laces loose and gently put my sneakers on.

Some minutes later with plastic bag slung over my shoulder saw me back on the trail gingerly heading toward the park proper.   

I could hear children laughing and playing. I caught small glimpses of people playing tennis, dancing for balls, skirts spinning.

The sun was low on the horizon but not on the down swing, on the up. It appears I slept a day and two nights at least. My stomach agreed and screeched in protest.

Exiting the park I could see Tim Hortons across the street. I turned in the direction of the coffee shop and made my way toward it.

Ordering a cold drink and a donut, I looked toward the seating arrangements. Every odd table had a news paper on it and a few people were reading them.

The newspaper, I knew, would have job listings. Maybe even places to stay. I sat down at a table with a newspaper and began to thoroughly read through it.

I could see several fast food restaurants looking for counter people. "Okay, that's good." I thought.

I just didn't know if they'd take someone without experience.

Turning to the available rentals, I noticed many of them started with more than I had in my pocket.

I read that paper front to back but didn't find a single thing I could get for even just a month. Frustrated, I slapped the newspaper down and put my hands over my face to hide my coming tears.

I sat that way for awhile struggling with my emotions when I heard a ladies soft voice with a thick Indian accent.

"Joo are to be ok miss?" She asked picking up the news paper noting what I was reading.

I looked up and saw a dark skinned, pretty East Indian lady. A caring expression on her face. Then two young children peaked out from around her dress smiling playfully at me, I gave small smile in return.

"No home?" She asked.

"No," I replied. "No home."

She turned toward her children and spoke softly in her language to which they smiled and nodded in response. Then the two children turned and looked at me expectantly eyes bright.

"Come." The lady said. "I have place downstairs. Joo come."

Hope crashed through my system and I perked right up. Looking at this lady who wore a questioning on her face as the kids bounced on their feet expectantly looked far less forbidding than anything else I've seen. 

"Really?" I asked.

She nodded.

"I can only give you one hundred and fifty for now." I said. "

"I'll need the remaining to go look for a job." I cringed hoping that wasn't a deal breaker.

Looking back up at her she still wore the same expression of empathy without change.

"Okay, yes thank you so much! You have just saved me thank you."

Tears of gratitude came to my eyes which she smiled gently at and said,

"Berry good" and bade me follow her to her van.

I considered whether I was making another mistake but my instincts said otherwise. Besides, choices were slim. Watching the street slide by I felt lighter. Perhaps this is the leg up I've needed.

But, damn those expectations, they usually lead to disappointments.

This time I hope I'm wrong.