Chapter 12
Blake
I have been going out of my mind. I tried the cops. Ted said he talked to Katie that she was there. I feel a little bit better. I just don't get why she didn't text me when she got there. Maybe she just forgot . I'm still driving around town just in case. waiting for her to call me. Some lady I asked that was out walking her dog said she saw her drive by. I feel like I'm the stalker but I can't help myself. My phone rings. I pull it from my pocket as fast as I can without even looking at who's calling. She's the only one who knows this number.
"Are you ok?" were the first words out of my mouth.
"Yes i'm ok. i'm so sorry i didn't call sooner as soon as i got here i put it on charge it was almost dead. I went to take a shower. I was going to text you then, but When i got out she had wine and snacks waiting. I forgot. I'm really sorry." I take a deep breath. I'm still a little upset that she didn't text, but it's cute how she rambles when she gets upset.
"It's fine as long as you are ok" I turn my bike around and start heading home. I need to get some sleep or they're going to send me home early again. I need to start making money soon so I can pay for next month's rent and save up to buy this place. I'm sure if I give enough money I can pay for the place. If only I could get into my bank account I could have bought it. If I did that though they would be able to find me. I don't ever want to leave this place so I have to make sure they can't track me to here.
"It's not fine. I messed up. You know what, how about I make cookies to make it up and to thank you for the food." I laugh. I will take any reason to see her again.
"That sounds good. How about tomorrow after work you come by with the ingredients and cook them here. So you don't have to go to your friend's house to cook them then have to come all the way back out here?"
"That's a good idle. Do you need me to bring you anything?"
"If you wouldn't mind some bandages I still haven't gotten more. I have one left at the house."
"Ya i can do that."
"Hay cant i ask you to do something for me it's a little weird?"
"You can ask but I might not do it."
"How many people know you're staying with your friend?"
"Um, the cops, my boss and you why."
"Can you not tell anyone else? We don't know who the stoker is and if it gets around he will know where you are at. Tell everyone who knows not to tell anyone else where you are. If someone asks, tell them to lie. That you are staging somewhere else." he is crazy i don't thank her being there will stop him.
"I didn't think about that. Ya tomorrow i will tell everyone that nos. O and I will put my four wheeler in her garage. Everyone will know it's mine at first sight so if I leave it out in front of the house they will know I'm there."
"Yes that would be for the best "we talked until I got home. Even when i laid in bed to go to sleep we talked. About important things, random things. I feel bad whenever we get too serious. It gets too close to the things I'm hiding. I have to change the subject. She lets me. Though I can hear it in her voice she's upset. It probably feels like I'm shutting her out. I want to tell her everything, but I can't because she will think I'm crazy. Also a criminal. She will run for the hills so fast there will be a dust cloud. It's very late when we finally hung up. We were both falling asleep on the phone. Morning came too soon. Rolling out of bed. I get ready for the day. Without thinking I made two lunches. I could bring it to her at work but I don't know where she works. She don't know I'm going back to work. How can I get it to her without her knowing I went to work? I pull out my phone and look up deliver service around me. One pulls up and I call it.
"Fast delivery, how can I help you?"
"Yes, I was wondering if I have a lunch I want delivered to someone's work. Would yall be able to come get it and bring it?"
"Yes I just need to know where to pick it up from and where it needs to be delivered."
"Ok from George's auto in about 15 minutes and to Rose's work. I don't know where she works. We met three days ago and she helped me so I wanted to do something nice for her. She has long straight black hair, with crystal blue eyes, she's about 5'3"
"O I know who you are talking about. I'm not going to tell you where she works, but I can bring it to her. What is your name so I can ask when I get there if she wants anything from you. Far warning if she says no I will black list you." I smile, packing up everything. I really like every one here except for that dollar store worker, Derek and the stalker. 3 out of 10 is good odds.
"Yes ma'am my name is Blake but if you could first say the man with white hair and eyes. That's what she calls me to everyone."
"Yes i can do that i will be heading that way in about 10 minutes so i will make it to his shop in 15"
"Ok i will be outside. You will know it's me as soon as you see me "I hang up and head out. Making it there just in time. Just as I walk up to the door. I see her car pull up. It's a big van with their log on it in big green letters [fast delivery]. She sees me and steps out.
"I see why she introduces you the way she does. It really fits" she laughs walking up to her"
"She didn't know my name at first so that's how she called me to tell people who I was" smiling I handed her the bag. She has very good colors: pinks, yellows and some purples. She must like her job with all that yellow. She's really happy.
"Ok what will be $35" i pull out my wallet and hand her $60
"This is too much"
"keep the rest as a tip you have helped me out a lot"
"Even if you give me a great tip if she says she doesn't want anything from you. You're still black listed." I laugh out loud.
"That's fine, I'm not worried. She seems to love my food."
"Such confidence, I really hope I can keep you as a customer." She gives me a big smile. Heading back to her car. she gives me a little way before driving off. I really need to ask her where she works. I'm going to send her food every day and if I know where she works I can bring it to her. Better yet when that guy is gone I can bring it to her house and we can ride together back to town for work. I head in. There is a lady I have never met before at the front desk.
"How can I help you young man?" she asked with a soft smile. Almost like what I would assume a grandma would have.
"um nothing, i'm here to work." that came out so stupid. Why am I getting nervous ?
"O you're the new boy my husband hired. Hello, I'm Barbara. I have been sick for a few days. So i haven been here. O dear what happened to you, did someone hurt you?" hes comes close to me taking my face into her hands. Moving it around so she can see everything.
"No ma'am I fell a few nights ago in the woods at night and hurt myself."
"You need to be careful. Take it easy today. If you feel bad let me no. if you need anything just tell me."
"Yes ma'ma, thank you, I'm ok" I say stepping back I don't know what to do." I'm going to go in the back now. Thank you again and I'm Blake nice to meet you "I hurry around her and head to the shop. I have never seen someone look at me with such parental care. After my family found out I wasn't making it up about the colors. I never saw familial care again. All I saw was fear and disgust. Seeing it made me happy and my chest hurt all at the same time.