Calmina took her coffee to the balcony as she did many a times before, and looked over into the scene below. A quiet day in the middle of march layed out a beautiful morning with a chill that nipped at her face. She was wearing one of her silken robes that her previous boyfriend had bought for her on their anniversary. She didn't mind that they weren't together anymore, however she didn't like catching him from time to time down at work.<br/><br/>She gulped down the rest of her coffee and began to head back inside as the wind started to pick up, the sky was a dull grey and chances of rain was high. Calmina quickly closed her balcony doors and snapped the lock shut, drawing the blinds as well. The one thing she was scared of in the city was burglars.<br/>A recent mugging down the street threw Calmina over the edge when she heard about it on the news, someone from her building was attacked but at least she wasn't hurt. Being the only person in her family in the city made everything scary much more than it should.<br/>Calmina came to the city to find her passion, yet it has not been discovered, and her reason for being on this earth, that has not shown up yet either.<br/><br/>As she got dressed for work she spied an unopened letter on her desk, yesterdays mail was scattered upon her table and the letter was easily missed due to the mess. The addressed was from her mother, home in Jersey. Calmina had not been back in Jersey in over a year, she didn't like Jersey but somehow she felt more at home here in New York than anything.  Mom addressed her as pooks, a childhood name that was never let down;<br/><br/><em>My Sweet Pooks,<br/><br/>Your dad and I say hello, how are you? <br/><br/>Mona is doing ok, I hope you sent her a letter wishing her well, I brought you up well enough for that right?<br/>I have some bad news though, Uncle Charlie's cancer took a turn for the worse. He is scheduled to pass away within the week, I'm sorry hun.<br/>We wish you will take the trip down, it is not far, right? I'm sure you can make it seeing as you love Charlie. You got his present didn't you? it was such a lovely gift. It is too bad he wont be able to live to see you get married and have children. He so wanted to see you happy and with a great man. <br/>Please send my regards to your dear boss, I am so thankful he gave you a chance up there. Not many people start off as manager, remember that dear. <br/><br/>We love you, and hope to hear from you soon, our phone is out, don't call.<br/><br/>Love,<br/>Ma</em><br/><br/>Calmina bit her lip as she read about her Uncle Charlie, he was her best friend and confidant.<br/>A tear streamed down her cheek as she remembered  being a young girl and he would take her out on the town to places her mom would disapprove of. Charlie didn't care, she was his only niece and since his wife was long gone, Calmina was like his next of kin. She took the letter and stuffed it into her purse as she strolled to the front door of her apartment. The bolts were cheap in fashion but necessary for Calmina's fear of breakins. The apartment building she lived at wasn't known for excessive burglary's but better to be safe than sorry she though.<br/><br/>As Calmina shut and locked the deadbolt several of her floors tenants were on their way to work as well. A morning ritual she guessed, don't stare, walk straight, hold purse close, and don't speak to one another. Rather odd and different than from back home she would think, but used to it all as well.<br/><br/>The air was much colder as she exited the building, and the sky much more dull grey than before. A storm was brewing and she could tell it will hit as soon as she got to work.