It tickled my mind to have a devistated Amber. What happens when everything is taken away?
This is a pretty dark story but as always, A/C forever.

Dedicated to the Queen, and CyberAunt Writergirl2003. Thanks for the joy you've given us.

Prologue

Oh Lord, the man smelled. The scent of Wild Turkey and unwashed clothes filled her nose as she walked him to the bus stop. He was almost too heavy for her to support but she knew that she had to make it. She couldn't leave him with the bloody nose, cut forehead, who knows what other injuries. Yet he hummed and smiled at her. She did her best to keep him standing as she waved and yelled for the bus pick them up. Luckily the people on the bus saw her and asked the driver to stop. She pushed him through the door as her shoes slipped in the slush on the curb, and she nearly fell. Finally he made it up the steps and she pulled her purse forward to pay their fare, pushing her glasses back up her nose. The driver looked at them with disgust as she counted out the change.

"He goes to the back." The driver growled.

"Yes." She said as she dropped the change into the receptacle. "To the back…"

He began to sing, "Slow down, you're movin' too fast. You've got to make the morning last…." as she tried to avoid making eye contact with any of the riders. She could hear the gasps and ticks as he walked by. She pushed him on to the long seat in the back and he plopped down as he sang the chorus, "Feeling Groooovvvvyyyy". She sat next to him and searched her purse for her handkerchief. She pulled it out, licked it and tilted his face to hers. As she wiped the blood from under his nose, his blue eyes twinkled at her.

"You are an angel Amber." He said as he beamed.

"I know, Corny. I know." She said as she continued to wipe.