BEHIND CLOSE DOORS

An alarm rings continuously.....

It's 6 am in Inwood, New York City. Laura reluctantly sat up as the alarm blared. She stretched and yawned, fighting the lingering drowsiness that tempted her to stay in bed.

She felt exhausted from the previous day at her demanding and frustrating cleaning job, a challenge she had to face with determination every day.

Alongside the stress, Laura endured constant hostility from her coworkers and boss, yet with no choices, this cleaning job was her sole means of survival.

Laura reluctantly pulled off her cozy duvet, gathering her remaining strength to face yet another exhausting day in her routine.

As her feet met the cold wooden floor, she was reminded of the challenges awaiting her at work once again today.

"Does life ever get any better?" She murmured in frustration as she struggled to rise from the bed.

Laura rushed to the bathroom for a bath in the shower. She was refreshed as the cold water trickled down her body. The scent of her soap filled the air and ensured that all that was in her felt good to go ahead of the day.

She moved out of the shower, wiped her body dry in seconds, and anticipated what else she was prepared to do next.

"Laura! ... Laura!" a young boy called from outside her room, knocking frantically. It was her little brother.

"What do you want?" Laura replied, her voice firm and tired.

"Can I come in, sis?" He asked again as he continued to knock.

This annoyed Laura, and she asked once more, "I said, what do you want?" Her face pressed against the door. "I'm trying to rush for work, so we can talk when I get back."

Laura gazed at her wardrobe, deciding what to wear for the day while awaiting any response from her little brother. The sudden silence is a relief, he doesn't answer. She quickly selected a freshly ironed blouse and skirt and slipped them on.

She grabbed her wide-toothed comb from the table, and hurriedly combed through her long, shiny black hair, tucked it behind her ears as her eyes were fixed on the mirror to ensure she was doing it right.

She applied her favorite chocolatey, musky cologne, finding a sense of calm in its familiar scent. Now ready for the challenges of the day, she grabbed her handbag, put her phone inside, and headed for the door.

"Good morning, mom! I'll see you when I'm back!" she called out as she grabbed her wedge shoes and rushed out the door. She quickly slipped into her shoes and stepped outside.

As she looked up to search for a taxi, she spotted a yellow cab parked nearby.

"Wait, please! Wait!" Laura shouted as she waved her hands to signal the driver. "24 Cooper Street," she indicated as she opened the back door and hurriedly climbed in.

"That'll be 50 bucks, ma'am," the driver replied, his eyes fixed on the road, ready to go.

"Alright, just go," Laura responded nervously as she hurriedly sat in the vehicle, pointed down the road, and signaled him to start moving.

As the cab moved, Laura gazed out the window at the sky and road, her mind raced with thoughts, while the fresh air of the morning filled the car, preparing her for whatever the day may bring.

"I just want a peaceful day at work for once," she muttered to herself.

"Need anything, ma'am?" The driver asked, thinking she was speaking to him.

"Oh, no, I was just thinking out loud," she replied with a forced smile as they continued on their way.