It must have been about 15 years ago I was buying a pack of cigs at the corner liquor store and one of our local homeless ladies was about a quarter or so short from paying for something so I chipped in the change. Outside the store she walked up to thank me and I commented to her that if she were to fix her teeth and loose a few pounds she would really be a beautiful woman. She had a bad case of meth mouth and her clothes made her look more overweight than she actually was. About a week later she presented me with a chocolate cake she had baked as I was comming home from work. She knew where I lived as she goes through the trash cans in the alley looking for cans and somehow figured out what time I got home from work each night (11pm). Anyway I invited her in for a cup of coffee and we had a nice conversation. This continued for a few months, she would fix me a meal and be at my hose when I came home. It was a little creepy but I enjoyed talking to her. She worked part time for a local gardener and used his house for cooking and showering.
A few months went by and I decided to surprise her, I worked a deal with my dentist to fix her meth mouth. The bill came to about $5,000. This lady was 40 years old but looked 25. She was also very smart and computer savy. I really couldn't afford it but I did see some hope in this girl turning her life around. She had been on the streets since she was 12 years old. She ran away from a drunken father who sexually abused her and a step mother who was also physicaly abusive.
Over the course of time I knew her she had gotten off drugs and started attending NA. It was very rewarding to watch the change happening before my eyes. On the day of her last dental visit I had arranged for a Limo to pick her up at the dentist and take her to one of our local upscale spas for a complete makeover clothes included. After the makeover I took her out to a nice dinner and some dancing. We were both on cloud nine, I never thought I could put together such a thing. It was a wonderful evening and she was more beautiful than I could have ever imagined, We had never fooled around before this and I had no interest in her that way.
At the end of the evening she was feeling romantic and I didn't want to spoil the evening so I tried to get myself in the same mood, it was awkward for me and felt almost incestuous. I explained my feelings and she seemed ok with it but still a little hurt.
After that everything started turning to shit, she would come by when I had girls over and threaten them, she became nasty and aggressive to me and I had to almost get a restraining order after having to call the cops on her a couple of times. She went back on drugs and left the area. I felt like a big dummy.
I didn't hear from her for a couple of years and then she started calling. She had left the state, gotten back off of drugs and had a decent job. She showed genuine gratitude for what I had done for her and even thanked me for not using her sexually like everyone else had done. I remained guarded in my conversations but friendly. We talked on and off for a few years and then lost contact.
I opened a Christmas card from her this morning, She sent me a picture of her and her husband and all six of her kids by 4 different fathers that she had never raised. The picture was taken last Christmas. She included a long beautiful letter that I will treasure for the rest of my life. She must be about 52 now, still as beautiful as ever and living the American dream. I have been on the verge of tears since I opened that card.