The Greedy Heart

Back to work

“Jessie, earth to Jessie!” I hear someone calling my name and shaking their hand in my face.

“What the hell?” I say to some random dude standing in my way and his hand inches from my nose.

“There you are! Geez, you daydreaming or what?! Get back to work!” the guy says, remembering where I was. Damn, I totally spaced out there! I think to myself as I continue hauling boxes from the big 18-wheeler in front of me. I look at my watch and see that it’s almost time to go. Thank God!

Finally, 6:00 pm hits and I head my way out to the front of the warehouse to wait for my Uber to pick me up at 6:05 pm. I check my app and see that the driver is 3 minutes away. I light up a cigarette and put everything into my small bag. While I wait, I check online for any pizza specials from any of our favorite pizza places.

“Hey Jessie! Wait up!” I hear a voice call my name, I moan outload and then hearing his approach I give a bright fake smile.

“Hey.” I say, trying to be nice.

“You coming back tomorrow?” asks the guy from earlier, what was his name? John? Jack? Oh yeah, James!

“Nah, not my thing.” I tell him, clearly not elaborating.

“Well, hey, can I have your number? Maybe we can hang sometime?” he asks me quickly knowing that I was really about to shut him down.

“No, I have a boyfriend.” I tell him, annoyed that he didn’t catch the hint earlier today.

“Oh okay. I guess, I’ll see you around then.” His face crestfallen and walks away towards his car. I shrug and finally the Uber driver arrives.

I hop in the Uber and on the drive back home I shoot a text to Frankie,

‘Hey, so pizza, right?’

I see the dots, that he got the message and was replying.

“Yes, please sis! Pepperoni, sausage, and extra cheese! And if they have cheesy bread, with a couple of ranches on the side, would be perfect!’ he texts me back.

I smile, glad to see that his appetite had returned because for a while there he wouldn’t eat unless I ate with him. So, anytime he was down for food, I gladly obliged. I know that I shouldn’t spoil him, but I can’t help it, he’s been doing so well lately. I really couldn’t deny him, parenting really wasn’t all that easy. However, I really haven’t had to discipline Frankie much, he really has been an angel. Helping me out whenever he could, picking up around the house, cleaning the dishes, not complaining whenever I’d ask him to do any other chores. Plus, his grades have been improving too so, I’ll oblige him for a while.

‘Sounds good, I’m going to order a salad on the side too and you gotta eat some. Okay?’ I text him back, knowing he wasn’t going to respond.

I let out a little chuckle and shake my head. I place the order on the app, and it says that it will arrive in about 30 to 45 minutes. Considering I was almost home, it’d be perfect timing, that way I could double check Frankie’s homework, shower and get things ready for the evening ahead.

‘Ma’am was someone supposed to follow us to your destination?’ the uber driver asks, peering at me through the rearview mirror. I shake my head and didn’t dare to turn around.

“Sir, please pass the destination. I don’t want them to know where I live.” The driver nods. I grow intensely nervous, as I don’t know who the hell would follow me. Granted, it could be a huge coincidence, but still, that’s way too close for comfort. After passing my street that we were supposed to turn on, we stop at a red light.

“Sir, can you take me down to the boxing gym down the street? It’s under that big yellow sign over there. I will tip you generously for the inconvenience.” I tell him.

He shrugs his shoulders and tells me, “Hey, do you need to call the cops or something? I can stay with you if you need me too.” How nice! However, I really didn’t want to have the cops involved, I didn’t want them digging into anything.

“No, it's Okay. I have some friends at the gym. Thanks though.” I reassure him.

We arrive at the front of the gym. I open the door and tip the driver a hefty $20.00 in cash for making the extra stop.

“Thanks so much, sir.” I thank him again. As I get out, I notice that there was no longer a vehicle near us.

“The car went straight after I turned in. If your curious, the vehicle was a grey honda civic with some dark tint, four door and I have a rear and front dash cam if you need me to send you that information. I mean, it could be a big coincidence, but you’re a young lady and I just want to make sure you’re okay.” He tells me, noticing my confusion.

Double checking that I had my phone and my small bag, I look at him and notice that the man wasn’t that much older than me, maybe in his early 20’s. I see both of his dash cam’s that he was talking about and think that’s a pretty smart idea for drivers to have. Maybe when I get a cash car, I will get one to record every time I’m driving.  

“Nah, that’s not necessary, but just in case I ever do need it. I have your Uber profile, so if you don’t mind keeping that portion of the recording for me, that’d be great!” I tell him, without waiting for a response, I close the door and head towards the front door of the gym.

I walk in with my mind running wild. Who the hell, was following us? Could it be that James guy? Or someone else? Did they find us? I knew not to panic, as seriously it could all be a huge coincidence or maybe it was a fluke so that guy could get my number, but then again, he should have my contact information anyways because of my Uber profile or maybe just to get a bigger tip? I shake my head, thinking way too much.

“Hey, there shorty! Are you here to train? Well, your s**t out of luck, because I’m about to head out.” I hear Claude say from the other side of the inner room for check ins. I look up at him and think, perfect!

“Well, in that case, do you mind dropping me off at my apartment?” I ask him, with a sweet smile.

He looks at me curiously and says, “Yeah, sure shorty. No problem, can you wait a second though? Let me wrap things up and we’ll head out in about 5 minutes. You can wait in my office if you’d like.” He tells me as he continues to wrap things up with whatever he was doing.

I head on into his office and take a seat on one of the chairs across his desk. Thinking about it, I really should carry some mace with me, since I can’t legally carry with me whenever I go into work. Making a mental note, to grab one next time I grow grocery shopping, Claude strides into his office.

“Hey shorty, everything ok?” he asks, checking on me.

“For sure Claude, I just got a little creeped out heading this way and don’t feel too comfortable walking home.” I tell him honestly.

He nods, “Well for sure shorty, anytime you need a ride home, you just come and see me, and I’ll take you home anytime, same goes for Frankie. Speaking of, where’s he at?”

“He’s at home waiting for me, if you want to join us, I ordered pizza and it should be arriving soon.” I offered him.

“No thanks. I’m good, I have plans and I gotta head out as soon as I drop you off.” He tells me.

“Okay then, you ready or do you need help with anything?” I ask.

“Nah, I’m good.” He says, writing something on a piece of paper and hands it to me, “Here, before I forget. This is my number. Seriously, shorty. If ever you need anything, you call me, and I’ll come get you or Frankie. Okay? I know you're out here living on your own and raising your brother. I’m not going to ask you any questions or anything. You just seem so young, and it just makes me uncomfortable. I mean I know you got the skills to fight, and I know you can defend yourself against a man 10 times your size, but it still ain’t right.” I take the piece of paper and tuck it into my bag, thinking how nice he was.

“Thanks Claude. I really appreciate it.” I sincerely thank him. He shakes his bald head and waves me off. I smile a small smile, thinking this old man, acting like a tough guy, but such a softy!

“Alrighty, let's go.” He says grabbing his keys on top of his desk, he leads me out the door, locking his office on the way out. We make our way to the back of the gym, where he parks his antique 54 chevy truck. I love his truck, its bright red, and it moves like a dream. On my night’s off, I would come in and train with him. Sometimes, it would get so late that he’d end up dropping me off at home.

We hop in his truck, and I love the smell of the old leather seats, he kept in such pristine condition that the leather felt like butter under my hands. We drive the short drive to my place, where he drops me off right in front. I hop out, and say a hasty, “Thanks!” and jog up the stairs to my little apartment. He waits in his truck, until he knows I’ve entered, and I close the door behind me.