Extraordinary

Chapter 6- What's Next?

Nora's POV

I answered the phone that night not sure what to expect. My mother started off with the usual complement. "found somebody else's life to destroy yet?" I always knew you were bad luck and now that bad luck has coming knocking on my door once again." No point in trying to answering her as things would only get worse. She continued by saying she hadn't been feeling well for some time and a doctor had just confirmed she was seriously ill. She wanted to know where I lived to have my dad come over to see if I had left with any of their valuables (which I bought myself). She wanted me to pay her for "all the years of hardship she had faced because of me. She said there was no point in hiding from them because they would eventually find me. I hung up at that point.I would ;definitelty not be able to sleep after this. It's like she never gives up trying to make my life miserable. I tried going back to sleep but i couldn't, not as fast as I hoped too. When i did finally drift off my mystery man wasn't there. i had the least restless sleep of my life that night.

For the next couple of weeks I went off in search of a job. I sent out applications to places far and wide including the bakery not far from the apartment I lived at. I tried to sign up as an online tutor to middle schoolers. I joined an online talent bank and left my credentials with job agencies. None of these attempts seemed fruitful until I stopped at a nearby coffee shop. I was tired and stopped for a coffee and a cute little donut with strawberry filling. A couple walked in and stopped at my table since it was nearest the door. they said were from another country and not at all used to food here. they wanted suggestions on what would be easiest on their pallets on the menu and asked if I would be willing to help. Of course I was more than excited to help. I moved to the front with them to get a better view of the menu and explained to the best of my knowledge what certain items they pointed to were made of. Turns out, they bought more than enough for themselves. They bought enough to take home to their family at their hotel and left me with a firm handshake and heartfelt thanks for the help. It also turns out, the man serving customers that day was the owner of the coffee shop. He was so impressed with my knowledge of the items on the menu that he offered me a job. Without hesitation, I accepted his offer.

It was refreshing working at the coffee shop. So many customers came in each day. So many stories were told and smiles shared. I'm not sure how it happened but one day my smile was wiped away in an instant when my dad walked in. I was expecting non-chalance, an egotistic smirk or two. What I was met with instead was a tired looking man, with more than a week's stubble he looked old and forlorn. He asked to speak with me privately. When we got to a quiet corner out back, he asked me politely if there was any money i could spare to put towards my mom's medical bill. I asked what was wrong with her but he refused to say. He became more and more agitated the longer we stood there to the point where he started yelling and shaking my shoulders. He grabbed for my purse and threw out all the contents. Luckily I had nothing of value in there and my manager came out to see what was going on. My dad said what he wanted of the situation and mymanager offered to pay him $10,000 and I would pay it off as I worked. We all agreed and my dad left the coffee shop less downtrodden than he had came in. I signed the necessary documents for the loan and moved on with my work.  I tried calling my mom and dad but they wouldn't pick up. I passed near their home a couple of times but it looked unlived in.

Work was going well and at the apartment peace reigned. Sarah brought me to a great yard sale and I was able to get some more items to personalize the space. We took turns cooking, doing laundry and spent lots of time together. Mystery man comes each night and even on the nights when he is unable to stay with me long, he allows me to talk to him about my day and be soothed in his arms before he leaves. It's been amazing. Too good to be true even.