Pulling Through (Not finished)

On the Streets

Dina felt out of place, in her orange clothes and pink sandals. Her brown hair, in pigtails, seemed childish - every other kid in the lobby was dressed up. Dina wondered where they were headed. Some of them clutched paper bags, while others lugged navy blue suitcases. Marco held the dark green duffel bag that was filled with their clothes. The lobby was silent, unlike what Dina had expected. Every once in a while a family would get up, walk out of the building, and board a bus.
Finally, Marco signaled for Dina to follow him as he exited the lobby and entered their car. After many failed attempts to put the key in the ignition, Marco shoved it in and the car started. The car belched a cloud of black smoke as it slowly chugged to a slow crawl. The growling of the engine drowned out all noise, and for that Dina was glad.
Marco sat in his seat and dutifully drove the car, not even bothering to shout over the sound of the motor. Dina looked out her window and stared at passing fields. She wished she hadn't thrown away her old game of travel bingo, but at least she had a book. Reaching into her bag, she pulled out the dog-eared copy of The Wanderer, by Sharon Creech, and started to read. But it proved to be hard to get herself lost in the book. The sound of every passing car caused Dina to jump, and consequently lose her place on the page. She was starting to wish she had a bookmark.