The UnKnown (A Novel) (11 page)

“How can I help you?” A woman said, bringing me back to the present.

“Cindy, get out of here with that cigarette. You know you can’t smoke in here.” The woman nodded her head and put the cigarette out.

“Sorry you know I need my fix,” she said as she passed us to go outside.

“The nerve of some people. I have told that woman over and over again she can’t smoke in here, yet she does it anyway. What can I help you with doll face?”

“I ummm, I ummm,” I couldn’t remember what I was there for.

“I’ll give you a few minutes.” She was about to turn and walk off when I found my voice.

“Wait, I’m here to see, ummm,” what did my Aunt Silvia say her name was? “I’m here to see Judy… Judy Michaels.”

“Oh, you must be the new girl. I’m Carla, nice to make your acquaintance. I’ll go get Judy.” I couldn’t help but smile at her. She was so happy for a woman that looked nearly sixty. Carla was slender but had a little pot belly on her. Her salt and pepper hair matched perfectly with her dark brown eyes. I thought that I might like working here if all the people were this nice. I hoped I never had to see Cindy again.  She took me back to a bad place in my memory, or maybe it was the cigarette smoke. She seemed harmless enough, but then again, so did Miss Donna at first glance. I had to stop judging people by my past. It was going to be a long hard road if I didn’t.

Then I saw the most beautiful woman I had ever laid eyes on, aside from my mother. She had straight blond hair with hazel eyes. Her lips were perky and she had a slamming figure any woman would kill for. She was wearing a black and pink diner uniform. I knew she had to have every guy in town drooling over her.

“Hello, I’m Judy. You must be Misty.” Her voice was even perfect. It was as if she was singing to me. If I were a guy, I would so have a crush.

“Yes, my Uncle Russ called and spoke with the owner about an interview for me.”

“Yes he did. Come over to the booth and we can get started.” I followed her over to an empty booth where we both sat down.

“Here is the application you need to complete. You came at the right time because I just had a girl quit. What hours can you work? I am looking for someone full time.” I hadn’t even imagined full time work. I was hoping for part time.

“I can work any hours you need me,” I responded.

“The job is a waitress position. Do you have any waitress experience?”

“No I don’t, but I’m a fast learner. I got really good grades in high school and I pick up things quickly.” I was trying to sell myself since I had no job experience whatsoever.

“You’re hired. Complete the job application and give it to Carla before you leave. She will get you a uniform. You start the day after tomorrow at 9 a.m. Does that work for you?”

“Yes that will work. That’s it?” I was expecting a lot more. “What’s the salary?” I had almost forgotten to ask in all the excitement.

“That’s it.  The pay is not high I am afraid. It is $9.00 per hour. I will see you in a couple of days. You can stay for breakfast on us.” Any pay was better than no pay. I would take anything. I nodded as she left. I finished completing the application and returned it to Carla.

“What size are you Doll?” Carla winked at me.

“I’m a size four.” Carla walked away to a back room where I was guessing they kept all of the stock. She re-emerged with two uniforms that were a size four.

“Be sure to wear extra-comfortable shoes. I like to wear Merrill’s or Born. They have a lot of cushion and support.”

“Thank you.” I pulled my phone from my pocket and sent a text to Aunt Silvia to let her know to come have breakfast with me. I also got excited to tell Drake I got the job.

Me: Got the job.  Start the day after tomorrow. I’m so excited Drake! This is a new beginning.

Drake: That’s great. I’m so proud of you. Are we still meeting up today? I’d like to take you out to celebrate.

Me: Of course Babe, I can’t wait to see you. I will call you when I leave my aunt.

Drake: See you later.

“So, where ya from,” Carla asked me, making me look up from my phone.

“I’m from Texas, but I’m here staying with my aunt and uncle for a little while.” I didn’t want to divulge too much information about myself.

“That is far away. I look forward to working with you. I didn’t know how long I was going to last pulling doubles. Heather left us high and dry. I knew that girl wouldn’t last. Judy, God love her, wanted to give her a chance.”

“I look forward to working with you too. I’m going to go over and wait for my aunt. She is coming in to have breakfast with me.” I really didn’t know what else to say to her, oh yes I did.

“Do you have a phone book?” I asked. Carla looked at me as though I had told her the world was on fire.

“Phone book? No one uses phone books anymore, honey. Whose number do you want to find? If it is here in town, then I probably know how to get ahold of them.” Great, then I wouldn’t have to go on a national man hunt to find her.

“Her name is Lucy Garcia,” I said.

“Lucy, Lucy.” She was searching her mind. “OH, Lucy. Yes, she lives over on Wilshire Boulevard with her husband Max. Lovely girl. Let me see if I can track her number down for you.” Carla walked away and went back over to the booth that Judy had interviewed me in.

I was in deep thought when Aunt Silvia strolled in. I forgot how easy it was for her to be beautiful. She looked like a movie star with her purse hanging from her arm and over-sized sunglasses. Any man would be lucky to have her on their arm and Russ had won the jackpot. She sat down on the other side of me, removed her glasses and set them on the table.

“So, do I need to ask how it went,” she asked enthusiastically.

“I got the job. I start the day after tomorrow.” I opened my mouth to say more when my phone rang. I looked at and it was an unfamiliar number.

‘Hold on, I need to get this.” I slid out of the booth and pressed the answer button.

“Hello?” There was no sound.

“Hello?” I said again

“Misty, is that really you?” a female’s voices came shouting through the line.

“Yes, it is. May I ask who is calling?”

“It’s Lucy, silly girl! OMG, I can’t believe you are here! Where are you? Can I see you? I have missed you so much.” She was the same old Lucy, talking a mile a minute. It felt so good to hear her voice.

“Lucy, oh Lucy. I’ve missed you too! I am at Maggie’s Diner. I got a job here. Of course you can see me! But today isn’t a good day. How about tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow is great. Oh I can’t wait!” I heard a crying baby in the background. Lucy is a mother? We had so much to catch up on.

“Listen, I have to go. I will call you tomorrow for details. Wait, how did you get my number?” The moment I said that, Carla walked passed me and winked. I knew exactly who had given her my number. I would have to remember to give Carla a big hug. She had just made my day brighter.

“A friend of a friend that works at the diner. I immediately called you.” I knew she was beaming because I could hear it in her voice.

“Good to know. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. I’m so excited and I can’t wait!” We said our goodbyes and I strolled back over to Aunt Silvia.

“That was a friend that I was at the house with. She moved here because I had told her about it. She asked to meet tomorrow. I told her that was ok. Is it ok with you? I don’t want there to be any more mishaps like this morning.” She smiled so brightly at me.

“You can do whatever you want baby girl. All that I ask is that you notify me of your whereabouts so that I don’t worry. I’m happy you will get to see your friend.” She grabbed my hand and stroked it.  “Now let’s eat. I am starving. The twins had me running late this morning so I didn’t eat.”

We grabbed our menus and ordered. I ordered Stuffed French Toast, while Aunt Silvia chose the lighter option of oatmeal and fruit. It was no wonder why she was in such great shape. Carla came quickly with our order. I noticed that Carla moved with a little extra pep in her step for her age. She seemed to be very active and entertaining. I liked her from the second she had said, “How may I help you?” I knew we would get along swimmingly. We dug into our food and practically ate in silence. When we were finished Aunt Silvia motioned Carla over for the check.

“Can we have the check please?” she asked.

“This is on the house in celebration of Misty coming aboard,” Carla said, smiling warmly.

“Well then, thank you.” Aunt Silvia got up from the booth, slipped on her glasses and headed towards the front door. She forgot her purse, so I snatched it up and took off after her. This day had been so good and it was only mid-morning. I had a place to live, a job, and my friend was close again. The only thing that was missing was seeing Drake. I missed him and I couldn’t wait to lay my eyes on him. My life was already shaping up nicely and I couldn’t wait to see what else was in store for me.

Chapter 14

Drake

When I left Misty this morning I was dreading going home because I knew I had to face my father. I didn’t want to be angry with him or my mom, but I couldn’t help it. I hoped he would get better. Pulling the truck into the driveway, I shut the engine off and just sat there for a second. I exited the car and made my way to the front door of the house. Flipping through the key ring I found the house key and put it in the lock to open the door. I heard arguing coming from the kitchen so I headed towards it.

“You were supposed to wait to tell him. He is going to hate me more than he already does. Damn you for doing this,” my father said rather loudly. My mother covered her eyes with her hands and sobbed softly into them.

“I don’t hate you. I don’t hate either of you.” Both of them paused and looked over in my direction. My mother removed her hand and my heart ached as I looked at her tear-stained face. They didn’t deserve this, no one did.

“Listen to me. It was messed up that you didn’t tell me, but I understand. I am going to be angry for a bit, but I will get over it. Dad, I just want you better. I don’t want to lose you, either of you.” I stood in that kitchen and cried like a little boy. My mom wrapped her arms around me and sobbed with me.

“I love you, Son. I’m going to fight this with everything I have. My test results came back. I was going to wait until Sean was here, but as of right now I am cancer free. The doctor says I still have to be monitored, but I’m going to be fine.” That news made me cry even harder. When did I become such a sap? I didn’t even care. Finally calming down, my father pulled my mother and me into a hard embrace. I could count the number of times my father had told me he loved me on one hand, and there were even fewer times that he hugged me.

“I’m going to take a nap. This has been a bizarre couple of days.” I hugged them both and kissed my mother again before heading to my room. All of these emotions where taking their toll on me. Men were not supposed to feel like this. They were supposed to be strong and protect. Right now I felt weak and vulnerable. I needed to see her, I needed to touch her; she was the only light that could help me see in this dark hole I was in.

Making it up to my room, I stripped my clothes off and crawled into bed. I didn’t sleep well last night; I was too busy watching Misty. I still wondered what those marks on her stomach were. The thought of someone hurting her made my blood boil. How could someone hurt my beautiful angel? I needed to stop being so wrapped up in her or I was going to scare her off.

I needed to focus on where my life was going. I felt like I had no purpose. No reason for being. Misty made me feel alive; she made me want things I never wanted before. I couldn’t give up on life as long as she was in it.  My father always looked at my mother like she was the only person on the planet. I never ever thought I could have that. Yeah I loved Sara, but the love I have for Misty, there was no comparison. Misty completed me. Sara was just a notch in the belt. She did teach me about love and what it was like to be in love. Misty was teaching me there was so much more to life. I had always been the golden boy, the one people wanted to be. I never understood why anyone would want to be like me. I didn’t have anything to offer the world. Sure I was smart and good looking, but that wasn’t enough to carry you through life.

I felt my eyes getting heavy; I was doing too much thinking. I was just so tired. I knew I would see Misty later, so a power nap should be ok. A few hours later I awoke to a ding on my phone. It was Misty telling me she got the job. I was so proud of her. Her luck seemed to finally be turning around. I quickly texted back and returned the phone to the night stand. I fell quickly back into a deep sleep dreaming about my angel again. When I popped my eyes open several hours later, I was in a panic. For a moment I didn’t know where I was. The light peeping through my blinds calmed me. I figured out I was in my bedroom. I grabbed my phone to see if Misty had called, but had nothing. It was damn near one o’clock in the afternoon. I was sleeping the day away. I never slept the day away. My freaking emotions were all over the place and I felt like I was about to explode. I scrolled through my phone and hit the name that popped up on the screen.

“Hey bro, what’s going on? You back in town?” Kyle was who I guessed I considered my best friend. He was very shallow and a womanizer. He always gave me hell about only being with Sara.

“Yeah I’m back. Got in the other day,” I said, trying not to sound irritated. I heard laughing and music going on in the back ground.

“And you’re just now calling me? What is going on with you? You‘ve been acting so different the past few months.” I really couldn’t answer that question. Kyle was used to me being wild, fun, and carefree. Things had changed over the past few months. I no longer wanted those things.

“Nothing man. I hear giggling. What’s going on over there?”

“I’m having a few friends over. Why don’t you swing by with Sara?” Oh shit, he didn’t know yet.