Maternal Absence — Jamie Ott

Piper is shivering, cold, and hungry as she lies on cardboard that is tucked beneath a large dumpster. This is the warmest place she could find because two weeks ago her mother disappeared from their apartment, leaving her without a place to go. Having no family or close friends, she is forced to live off the streets. Prior to her abandonment, the girl has frequently vivid fantasies of life without her mother; yet she never expected she would be homeless. The girl refuses to turn herself into authorities for fear of being placed within the orphanage system. Instead she tries to live off the streets but it doesn't go so well for her. The cool, northeast winter is rushing in and one particularly chilly evening, the girl resorts to a desperate act of crime, which lands her a new life in a new city. Once settled in her new life, Piper is determined to lay low so no one finds out about her or what she's done. Despite her determination to remain inconspicuous, newly found, and loved, friends continue to drag her into troublesome scenarios. The apex of the troubles being when she tries to help a pregnant girl and gets herself arrested in the process. While in juvenile custody, she learns that her mother has been looking for her the entire time she's been gone. Unfortunately, they miss their chance to meet and Piper is left wondering once more what happened to her. With the help and support of her friends, she learns that to move forward, she'll have to let go of her past.