Chapter 3
1197 Words
The next morning, I woke up and went to take a shower but the water never got hot. I managed to take a quick but cold shower. It was then I realized it wasn’t an issue with the heater but with the gas.
I called the gas company only to find out my mother hadn’t paid the gas bill in almost 4 months and for me to get it turned back on I needed to pay almost six hundred dollars.
I couldn’t understand where the money went that I gave her for the bills.
By the time I got to work, my head was a mess. I needed to talk to my mom but she wasn’t answering my calls or text messages. All through the evening I was on the brink of tears. I was only 17. Did she not care if I was OK?
Did she even plan to tell me she moved in with her new boyfriend? Did she even care that I had no heat? What if she left the state?
My shift was almost over when I was called to Declan’s office.
The door was open and I stood at the door. He was on the phone but waived motioning me to enter.
He looked up from his paperwork and smiled, but continued his conversation. He didn’t seem too happy with the person on the other side. He finished his call and stood and closed the door before making his way back behind his desk.
“Please sit.”
I sat down across from him. I waited as he finished what he was working on.
“How are you Harper?”
“I’m good sir.”
“We both know that is a lie. I don’t like being lied to Harper.” I’m not sure if it was his tone or the look he was giving me, but I instantly felt extremely hot.
I could have sworn I saw him smirk or maybe I was just imagining things.
“I am sorry I was distracted this evening, Mr. Sullivan. I just have something going on at home but I promise it won’t happen again.” I could feel the tears burning but I managed to hold them back.
“I’m not mad at you, Harper, and please call me Declan.”
“OK.’
“Do you want to talk about what’s bothering you?”
“Not really.” I said, shaking my head.
“Fair enough, but if you change my mind, my door is open.”
“Thank you.”
I stood to leave and looked at his clock. Panic flooded my body.
“Is that the right time?” I hadn't realized how long I had been waiting for him to finish his call.
“Yes….why?”
I shook my head.”Nothing.”
“Harper, didn’t I just tell you I don’t like to be lied to?”
“It’s just….it’s just that I missed my bus but it’s OK. It’s not too far of a walk.”
“I will take you home.”
“You don’t.”
“It’s my fault you missed the bus. I will take you home.” he said, cutting me off.
“Thank you.”
I grabbed my stuff and went back to wait for him to finish his paper work.
I climbed into his black SUV and he pulled onto the road.
“You’re 17, right?”
“Yes.”
“Do you have a license?”
“I do, but we don’t have money for me to get a car.”
He nodded and we fell into a comfortable silence. I directed him to my house and as he pulled into the drive I noticed how dark the house looked. I could have sworn I left on the living room light. I always do, but maybe Mom had come over and got the gas situation handled.
Declan turned off the car and opened his door.
“What are you doing?” I asked, the panic present in my voice.
“Walking you to the door. It’s too dark.”
“I will be ok. You don’t need to do that.”
He didn’t listen but walked me to the door and I unlocked the door but I was afraid to push it open.
Declan noticed my hesitation and pushed the door open and walked in.
“It’s freezing in here.”
“Oh yeah it’s fine.” I said as I tried to flip on the light and nothing happened. I rushed to try another light and nothing. At that moment, I forgot Declan was in the room. Tears burst from my eyes and I dropped to my knees. It was all too much.
“Where is your room?” Declan’s deep voice cut through the air.
“Wwwhy?”
“You can’t stay here…where is your mother?”
“I don’t know.”
“Do you have some place else to stay?” He asked as he helped me to my feet.
I could only shake my head no. He seemed to think for a moment.
“Then you will stay at mine.”
“I can’t.”
“Do you have another option?”
Again, all I could do was shake my head no.
“Go pack a bag.”
“But.”
He stepped closer to me and leaned towards me. “You will also find I don’t like it when people don’t listen to me. Are you going to listen to me?”
For that moment, the tears stopped and all I wanted to do was listen to him. I nodded my head yes.
“Good girl.”
I gathered a bag and found myself following Declan back to his SUV. The drive was longer than I thought and we pulled into a garage.
Declan grabbed my bag and I followed him into the house and up a flight of stairs. He opened the door and I followed him in.
“This will be your room and the bathroom is across the hall. My room is at the end of the hall.”
“Thank you.” I squeaked out.
“Are you hungry or do you need anything?”
“No I’m good.”
“ OK well, if you need me, I am at the end of the hall.” He said before he turned and walked out of the room, leaving me alone.
I changed into sweat pants and a shirt and curled up on the bed and found myself crying again. I realized I was alone, completely alone in this world.
I had been working so hard and barely holding on. “Harper.” Declan said from behind me. I hadn’t even heard him come into my room.
I rolled over and quickly wiped my eyes. “Sorry.”
He sat down on the edge of the bed. “Don’t be sorry. Talking about it might make you feel better.”
As much as I wanted to talk to him, all I could do was cry. He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me to his chest and held me as I cried.
- Writer
