Chapter 3

I make it through the week barely, I forgot I had a test in my math class, but I was able to avoid my dad all week. He's been cooped up in his room with his Whiskey bottle and hasn't bothered me. I've been able to get all my homework in on time this week, and my paycheck came in with a little extra after I stayed late a few nights. With that extra money I was able to go to the store and buy a few new pieces of clothes as mine were dying. I was even able to make sure most of our bills were paid on time this month, which never happens!

Jordan has been trying to get close to me at school, hanging out by my locker, smiling at me when I walk into class. I've tried to avoid him, but it's Friday, and he'll probably want to know if I'm going out tomorrow.

Aside from seeing Jordan and Dominic at school, and probably failing my math test, this week has been ok. Maybe going out on Saturday wouldn't be so bad? I could go by myself... If I still had any money...

After putting everything into keeping the house going and buying necessities I didn't even have $20 from my check to put into my savings. The only reason I had any money was because of mom's life insurance she got before she got sick. Dad's job is from home, and the only time he's sober is when he needs more money for booze, so he works in his office and waits for his check. Sometimes the glimpse of reason will shine through and he'll cash part of the check for payments, but only sometimes.

As the school day ends and I make my way to my truck. As I pull out my keys I feel a hand grip my shoulder. My first reaction is to swing my fist out.

"Whoa! It's me!" Jordan catches my fist before it collides with his face, "Jumpy today? I didn't mean to scare you."

"Sorry, I didn't," I fumble with my keys, "Sorry."

"It's ok, really," He tries to reassure me by rubbing his hand gently in circles on my back, "I got you something."

He hands me a white box, it's thin but long. I unlock my car to throw my backpack in the passenger seat before I take the box.

"What is it? Why'd you buy me something?" I don't open it, I'm almost afraid to.

"Open it and find out," His smile just grows, he starts bouncing.

I open it to find four pairs of jeans and two new shirts. I gawk for a minute, reaching to feel the new fabric. I can't remember when I had brand new clothes, everything aside from underwear I get from thrift shops.

"I saw your jeans were getting worn and frayed so I went and got you some stuff. I didn't know your size but I left the receipt in case you need to exchange them. I thought at the very least it could save you some money and help you be comfortable. Do you like them?"

My fingers graze over the soft fabrics. The jeans don't have any holes, they aren't worn in any way, and the shirts are so soft. The fabric clings to itself, and little, delicate buttons hang on the breast of them.

"I love them, thank you! You didn't have to do this though," I put the clothes gently into the box again, I'm so afraid to damage them.

"I just thought it might help, what am I going to buy anyway? If they're the wrong size, just let me know and I'll go fix it," He shoves his hands into his pocket.

"Thank you, Jordan, really I appreciate it."

"You're welcome. So are you up for tomorrow? It's cool if you're not but if you are, I was thinking we could go into the city and get some ice cream or see a movie?"

"I guess, if nothing else, I'd like to thank you for the clothes. Besides, it could be fun,"

I try to return his smile as he walks off, saying he'll pick me up tomorrow at noon. He disappears across the parking lot and I finally get into my car.

I look down at the box, I feel a true smile spread over my face. When I look up to drive to work, I see Dominic watching my truck, occasionally looking over in the direction Jordan walked in.

An uneasy feeling settles into my stomach. I can't start my truck fast enough.

"Don't make eye contact, just go," I tell myself as I try to slow my heart rate. Pulling out of the lot, I feel my shaking subside.

Mr. Marsh greets me gently as he opens the door. He doesn't know why it's necessary, but he's always been as gentle as possible with me.

"What are you going to do tomorrow, anything fun?" He asks in his fading southern accent. He was born in Georgia and moved here with his family in high school.

"I don't really know, I might go out. More likely than not, most of the day I'll be doing homework," I point my pencil at my notebook, to gesture how much work I have, "I have an essay due for history by the end of next week."

"You have a whole week, take one day," He sits across the counter from me, "That's why I give you Saturday's off."

I nod gently as I start writing in my notebook again, I want to listen to him, and I want to tell him about Jordan, but I don't think he'd like me going anywhere with him. Instead of carrying the conversation further, I instead just try to focus on my essay and try to focus on how England tried to take control of everything.

No one comes into the store, but after I finish most of my homework I'm sent to the back to box up the larger pick up orders. One of them is for the Stom family, Dominic's family. It's pickup date is set for anytime between opening today and closing tomorrow. I'd give anything for him to pick it up tomorrow when I'm off and away from here. I spend most of the early evening in the back, waiting for closing time to come by at eight. I have the outline for my essay done and all but my math homework is done, I'm looking forward to just going home and resting.

As I'm taping up the last box for pickup I hear the bell above the door ring. Normally I would let Mr. Marsh handle it but recently he's started taking fifteen minute breaks before closing, and now I'm the only one here to help the customer.

I step out expecting to see someone looking around for one small thing or a couple preteen boys coming in to talk tools like they sometimes do. I freeze when I see its Dominic.

"Hey," he smiles.

"Hi..." I don't know what to say for a second, I remind myself that this is my job and I need to be professional, "Sorry to look like a dear in the headlights, you must be here to get your pickup order."

His smile only grows while I run back into the storage room to get it. It's heavy so I'm forced to use the, honestly, embarrassing dolly to bring out the box.

"Will you want help getting it in your car?" I ask as I pull up the order ticket to ring up the price.

"No, thanks. I can handle it," he pulls out his wallet, "How much?"

"That will be," I pause to try and read the screen at the register, "$76.53. Are you paying in cash or with a card?"

"Card, let's face it, no one really carries cash around anymore," He laughs at his own joke not realizing the only money I have is three dollars in tips from yesterday that I plan to use to eat.

I run the card and try not to seem ridiculous. I watch him look over the box as I tape the receipt on top.

"You know," He chuckles under his breath as I navigate the dolly through the door, "I didn't originally plan to come and pick this up. My dad was going to get it tomorrow but I, uh, I wanted to see you. I also didn't know if you were working tomorrow and if you were I didn't want you to have to deal with my dad."

I smile awkwardly, I don't know what else to do, "That's-- that's nice of you."

"Are you doing anything this weekend? Maybe we could--"

"I actually have plans this weekend, sorry," I try to keep the talking to a minimum, and I pray he doesn't ask me any more questions. I'm, unfortunately, too scared of most people and will answer thinking it'll save me.

"Going out with Jordan?" His smile is gone, he pushes the box into the car and stares at me, "I saw you two in the parking lot."

"He was nice and got me a gift. I thought hanging out would be a good way to thank him," He doesn't look pleased with my response, I panic, "I might stay home though, I still have homework to do and I don't want to forget to do it."

He still doesn't seem convinced, but he shrugs, "He's no good, Rhea. You should stay away from him, before you get hurt."

I don't say or do anything. I just watch him get in his shiny Lexus and drive off. I grip my hands together to stop the shaking as I head back into the store to find Mr. Marsh is still gone.

I sit at the counter and look at my math book, I have to clock out soon, but I'm going to try to at least get something else done.

I feel my phone go off in my pocket as the back door swings open. Mr. Marsh is back, and with fifteen minutes to spare before I'm due to go home.

"How's it going in here, Rhea?" He smiles as he comes behind the counter to put his keys down.

"Fine, the Stom order was picked up, all the others are ready for tomorrow," I bite my pencil as I stare at the numbers before me. I currently have a C- in math as I have never been good with numbers, my mom used to help but with her gone I've been left to figure it out on my own.

Mr. Marsh watches me mull over the papers in front of me. It's a little embarrassing, especially since he had to help me with math when I started out on the register. Normal math is fine for me; things like adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing, but once algebra started and fractions and percentages came in to play I got lost. It's been a struggle to catch up.

"Want some help kiddo?" He puts his fingers over the edge of the textbook.

"I just don't get it. I don't get it, numbers and letters together don't make sense. These equations are impossible and it gives me such a headache to stare at a graph," I drop my pencil and push my hands up into my hair, "I'm going to fail this class and have to spend the summer making it up."

Mr. Marsh chuckles at me, "What you need girl, is a tutor. You can do this stuff you just need help."

I cringe. I don't have time to meet someone at the library and I certainly can't bring anyone to my house.

I do have Saturday's, maybe I can get a tutor then. Maybe Jordan can help.