Chapter 2

“No. I am just here helping David out. He had to leave early for his anniversary and asked if I could cover the rest of his shift for him.” A look came and went quickly across her face before she spoke again.

“Oh, I thought you had come back.” There is that look again. She almost looks sad or disappointed that I am not working here. That couldn’t be though and even if it is why do I care? My cell phone started ringing and she went back to her position and started stocking her area.

“Hello.”

“Renee’ what time will you be home?” It was my sister Shaye.

“I don’t know. Why?” I hate it when people call me and ask me questions like I have to report to them, especially when it is my sister. Hell, she should report to me since she is the youngest.

“Did you forget that I have school this morning?” That pissed me off. Of course, I know she has school. How could I forget when she goes every morning?

“No, I did not forget that you have school this morning and I am still working but I should be home before it is time for you to leave. If I am not going to make it, I will let you know beforehand and you can find yourself another way to school.” I usually let her use my car to go to school so that I do not have to get up from my rest to pick her up from school. I hung up without saying goodbye and went back to work. Jay came up to me and asked who I had been talking to on the phone. I told her it was my sister. She said she was just asking because I looked pissed after I hung up.

“How is your sister doing? I have not seen her in a while.”

“She is fine. I am not pissed, just aggravated. I am just tired and somebody calling asking me questions like I owe them an explanation is not what I needed this morning.”

“I understand. I get that way too sometimes.” At that moment the store phone started ringing and I told her to answer it. When she hung up she told me that was my replacement, saying she would be late. I stayed as calm as I could and kept doing my work. Inside my blood was boiling and my body was aching. Another hour passed and finally my replacement showed up. She went into the office and did something before finally coming out and taking over her shift. I let her know where everyone was positioned and what was going on before getting ready to leave. Then I called my job so they could clock me out, ordered my sister some breakfast, and said goodbye to Jay and the others. She handed me a piece of paper with her number on it and I gave her mine. She said that she would call me and hoped that I would call her. I told her that I would but it may be later because I was going to sleep as soon as I got home. She just laughed and said okay.

“Finally I am home.” I say to myself as I hand my sister the car keys and her breakfast. I headed for the shower as she was walking out of the front door heading for school. After my exhilarating warm shower, I ran to my bed and went straight to sleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. I woke up around three that afternoon feeling refreshed and a little happier. I checked my cell phone and house phone displays to see if she had called and found that she had not. Feeling a little disappointed I decided to find something to eat. At around four o’clock my cell phone rang but I did not recognize the number so I did not answer it right away. I waited until the third ring and then I answered it. “Hello.” I said into the phone.

“May I speak to Renee’?” It was Jay.

“This is her.”

“Hey. Were you busy?”

“No. I am just watching television until I have to go to work.”

“I was just calling to see what you were doing. I not too long ago got home.”

“Okay. I see you have not changed. You are still late getting to work.” I laughed.

“It is not my fault though. I am always ready but my ride is always late picking me up.” What I said next shocked me and I could not take the words back once they left my mouth.

“I could pick you up when I get off in the morning. That is if you want me to.” I wanted to take it back as soon as I said it. Somewhere inside, a part of me was excitedly jumping up and down with her fingers crossed hoping she says yes to my offer.

“Okay. I mean if you do not mind it is okay with me.”

“It is fine with me. Besides, it will give us more time to talk.” What was getting into me? I heard my voice change and it almost sounded as if I was flirting. I never flirt. Am I losing my mind? This is getting out of hand and I need to put an end to this.

“I have to be there for five tomorrow morning. I can get my sister to take me if you will not get off in time.” I am confused and a little hurt if I am honest with myself. Is she trying to tell me that she does not want me to bring her to work? I shake off that kind of thinking immediately. I am overthinking this more than I need to be and there is no need to think she is trying to stay away from me. “Relax Renee’. She did call you so she must not have a problem being around you or wanting to talk to you.” My subconscious tells me and that calms me down because I know she is right.

“I will be there. I have to go run a few errands for my mother real quick, so if I do not call you later I will see you in the morning.”

“Alright, I am going take a nap anyway.”

“Bye.”

“Bye.”