A Love To Die For

Chapter 3

I scrub the last dish of the evening with a determination I have never had before. Every Thursday, I volunteer at the homeless shelter, my hours being longer during the school holidays. It’s something I have done for two years now, and something I love very much. I help set up the shelter, serve the food, talk with the people who come in, and help clean up at the end of the day. Today, working at the shelter has been a welcome distraction. No matter what I do, I can’t get Jacob and Bianca out of my head. Even if I could, their nonstop texting and calling wouldn’t allow it.

“That’ll do for tonight, Nina.” Says Frank, the head coordinator of the centre.

He is a very stern and straightforward man, but under his tough exterior, he is a gentle giant.

“OK, Frank.” I reply. “I guess I’ll see you next week.”

I dry my hands on the dish rag and remove my apron. Frank catches my arm as I try to leave the kitchen.

“Before you go, I have something for you.” He says, reaching into his jacket pocket.

He hands me an envelope with my name on the front, and I open it slowly with a confused expression. A pretty birthday card is inside, which surprises me. Frank has never given me a birthday card before. It’s what is inside the card that shocks me the most. A bundle of cash slides out from between the cardboard folds. I catch it before it falls to the floor and look at it with wide eyes.

“Frank!” I gasp.

“Before you protest, everyone that volunteers here wanted to chip in. Seventeen is a special birthday, and we all know that you have been dying to get your licence and your own car.”

“This is too much!” I exclaim as I fumble with the cash.

“It’s $2,000. Put it towards your first car.”

I begin to tear up as my emotions bubble at the surface. This is the kindest thing that anyone has ever done for me. I never expected the best part of my birthday to come at the homeless shelter.

“Thank you, Frank. You are all too kind.”

“It’s nothing. You work so hard here, Nina. You deserve it.” Smiles Frank.

Doing something that I have never done before, I wrap my arms around Frank and show him my appreciation in the form of an embrace. He reciprocates the gesture without hesitating. I linger in his arms for longer than I probably should have, but after these past few days, I have really needed a hug like this.

“Go on home and enjoy your evening.”

I pull away from Frank and wipe the stray tear from my cheek.

“You don’t know how much I needed that.” I breathe.

“I wish we could have given you more, but…”

“I wasn’t talking about the money; I was talking about the hug.”

Franks looks at me with sadness in his eyes and realising that I have probably overstepped the mark with my boss, I laugh it off and bid Frank goodnight.

Feeling a little embarrassed, I quickly get my bag from the back room and exit the homeless shelter. The sun has gone down already, and the cool evening air feels crisp and refreshing on my face. I carefully put my gift in my bag and begin walking away from the old building. A hand grabs my arm, stopping me in my tracks and making me gasp with a fright.

“Bianca! What are you doing?” I ask breathlessly.

“I’m sorry for scaring you, I just really need to talk.”

“Was me ignoring your calls and texts not enough of a clue? I don’t want to talk.”

“Nina, please. I know that I messed up, like really messed up, but please give me a chance to explain. Or at least let me try and make it up to you.”

“There’s nothing to explain, Bianca. You hooked up with my boyfriend on my birthday. How could I ever trust you again?”

I begin walking again, not wanting to have an argument outside the place that I volunteer. Bianca rushes to keep up with me, but I keep my eyes focused ahead.

“Look, I know being drunk isn’t a good enough excuse, but there’s things about me that you don’t know, Nina. Even those things don’t excuse what I did, but I’m hoping that if I tell you, you might understand and be able to forgive me.”

“What are you talking about? We have been best friends for twelve years; I know everything about you.” I exclaim.

“Not everything.” Sighs Bianca.

I stop walking to turn and look at her. What don’t I know about her? And what could it be that would justify her behaviour?

“Nina, I’m…I’m a…”

My phone rings, interrupting Bianca. Seeing that it’s my Dad calling, I answer, figuring that he might be worrying about me. I don’t usually stay this late at the shelter.

“Hey, Dad. What’s up?” I answer.

“Nina, where are you? Did you forget that we asked you to mind Bobby this evening?”

“Sorry, Dad, I just got held up at the shelter. I’ll be home soon.”

“Ok. Don’t be long and be safe.”

I hang up the phone with a sigh. Truth is, I had forgotten that I had to look after Bobby again this evening.

“I have to go, Bianca. I have to watch Bobby and I’m late.”

I turn around and begin to walk quickly in the direction of my home.

“But Nina…” Shouts Bianca behind me.

“It will have to wait!” I reply, not even turning around to say it.

I make it home in ten minutes, bursting through the front door a little out of breath.

“There you are. Try not to be late in the future!” Scolds my Mom, strutting towards the front door.

“There’s money in the kitchen for take out.” Adds my Father.

“Ok, thanks.”

Bobby runs down the stairs and gives both of our parents a hug, which they return with a love that I am rarely shown. I don’t know what I have done to be treated so differently to Bobby. I get straight A’s in school, I work and volunteer, and I clean around the house. My parents are just so busy with their own lives that I have become the third parent to Bobby by default.

My parents leave and Bobby runs to me, hugging me tightly.

“Oh, I almost forgot. This came for you today.” He says, picking up an envelope from the hall table.

I open it eagerly and smile when I see my new, shiny licence attached to the sheet of paper. With this, and the savings I have, hopefully I can get my own car soon.

“What is it?” Asks Bobby.

“It’s my driving licence. I can finally drive without Mom or Dad in the car with me.”

“Cool! Let’s go for a drive then.”

“I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”

“Oh, come on. Just a little one. Mom and Dad will never have to know.” Pleads Bobby.

“Alright, but only around the block.”

Bobby squeals with excitement and runs out the front door. With a knot of nerves in my stomach, I retrieve my Mom’s car keys from the hook and follow my little brother outside. I start the car, and Bobby fiddles with the buttons, looking for a good song to play on our little adventure. The streets are quite and abandoned, making me feel even more free.

We both smile widely, unable to wipe the mischievous grins from our faces. We sing along to the radio and giggle with delight. We will be able to do so many things together now. Sibling time is about to be taken up a notch.

I turn right and drive down the road that will lead us home. Out of nowhere, a flash of brown fur appears in front of me, smashing into the bonnet before I have a chance to react. I slam on the breaks and the car swerves. The last thing I remember before darkness took me over, is the streetlights flashing by and Bobby’s screams.