Break the Distance

Chapter 17

Sunday 28th of August, 2016

Wellington, New Zealand

Richelle Smith

This morning I'm going to do it. I'm going to talk to my dad. Well, in a few hours, right now it's still a little over 4:30 am. After what happened yesterday evening I went to bed straight away. I didn't want to think about it any longer. But then I woke up an hour ago and since I woke up I haven't fallen asleep. To be honest I don't even think I'll fall asleep again.

I was happily surprised when I all of the sudden saw Noah’s text earlier. Since I didn't talked to him since Monday, I thought he probably already forgot who I was. Thank God I was wrong. Talking to him has been the best time I've ever had. It gave me the courage to pursue my dream. Meeting him.

Today I'm going to ask my dad if I can have a job. Yesterday evening before I fell asleep I figured out that if I want to go to see The Next Step I'll pretty much have to find somehow 300 dollars. With a job I think I'll be able together before the 28th of September, the day on which they'll perform in Auckland.

Around 5 hours, some school work, a little bit of stretching and a shower later I walk downstairs. "Dad?" I say when I walk into the living room. He isn't in the living room so I walk to the kitchen. "Dad?" I say again when I see him sitting at the dining table with his head down but he doesn't react.

I sit down in front of him. "Dad can I ask you something" I ask him. "Of course," he says but doesn't look up. "Eh," I start, "can eh c-can I get a job?"

"Yes," he states, "please do."

"What?" I say confused, I wasn't exactly expecting this answer. My dad then looks up and I see the tears in his eyes. "I eh," he starts, "I lost my job yesterday and if we've to pay soon or we lose our house."

My jaw drops. Good, thanks boss of my dad, we could use this!

"W-what now?" I ask him worried. I have no idea what we are ever going to do. If I find a job I'll never earn enough to pay the bills, so my dad has to find a job soon. He shrugs. "Dad," I say more anxious, "what are we going to do?!"

"I don't know sweetie," he says, "I honestly don't know where to go from here." "Dad we can't give up," I say sternly. I grab my laptop and start searching for jobs. I don't care if it are small jobs, a job is a job and money is money.

" Richelle," my dad says and he closes my laptop. His voice is weak and when I look at his face I see that his eyes are red and puffy. "Finding a job for me isn't that easy," he says, "they don't want an old man working in any kind of store. I have to find an office where they want me." "Then I'll get a job until you have one," I state.

"No Richelle," he says, "you have to focus on school." "Dad I get straight A's even without learning," I say, "I've time enough for some extra jobs." My dad sights. "I really don't want you to worry about those kind of things," he says, "bringing money into the family is my responsibility, not yours."

"I really don't mind," I say, "I've wanted a job for years now." He doesn't react and let his head fall in his hands again so I open my laptop and continue searching for something.

"Dad," I carefully say after a while, "I found something."

"I have an interview for it this afternoon," I say when he doesn't react. "I'm sorry," he says and looks up again. "Dad really, I'm fine with it," I say, "as long as you make sure the house stays clean, cook dinner again, do grocery shopping, the laundry and use the spare time to find a good job." He smiles and nods. "I have no idea what I ever should do without you Bri," he says.

I walk over to him and pull him into a hug. "I love you dad," I say. "Love you too," he says.

It is a job in a clothing store. I would rather have a job in some restaurant or café, but this was the only thing I could find. With a little luck I can work a few hours after school every day and also in the weekends, I just hope I'll earn enough.

School is like the last thing I'm worried about right now.