Read Online Crossroads by Mary Ting - Free Book Online

the alkins, but it seemed so long ago.
    It was Saturday, and today would be my
first day of work on my first job. It was at Fashion Wear, which
was located in a small shopping plaza adjacent to a pizza store and
an ice cream store. I applied there as a cashier because of Patty.
She thought it would be fun to work together.
    I can still remember our conversation
when she tried to convince me to work there. “This would be a great
opportunity to see each other more often. You can work on weekends.
You also get 20 percent off your entire purchase. What more could
we ask for?”
    I quickly agreed and got hired the
same day I applied. She must have put in a few good words for me; I
always earned excellent grades, but I didn’t have any employment
references since I had never worked before. I better stop thinking
in bed, I thought to myself as I looked at the clock.
    “ Oh, shoot!” I said out
loud. “Not again!” It was close to noon. Had I pushed the snooze
button that many times? I couldn’t remember if I had or if I had
accidently set the wrong time. Regardless, I couldn’t believe Mom
let me sleep in this late; but then again, it was Saturday. I
couldn’t blame her. I didn’t let her know what time I was starting
my new job. I had no time to waste. Quickly I got ready, kissed my
mom, and ran out the door, hoping she wouldn’t say anything about
me sleeping in this late.
    “ You should at least take
something to go!” my mom yelled through the front door.
    I didn’t want to upset her, and my
stomach was rumbling like crazy from hunger. I ran back in and
grabbed a banana, a granola bar, and a bottle of water, then ran
back out the door. I didn’t realize she was following me outside so
I practically slammed the door in her face.
    “ Mom!” I yelled, reaching
for the door, nearly having a heart attack. “Your steps are too
quiet. Please don’t follow behind me like that.”
    “ Sorry, but you need to
slow down.”
    I paused for a second to show her I
was slowing down and hopped on my bike.
    “ Have a good first day,
Claudia. Please be careful, especially since you’re working late.
Make sure you call me when you get there and from time to
time.”
    “ Mom!” I retorted as I
kicked the stand from my bike.
    “ Okay! At least text me
then.” She was standing in front of me with her hands on the
handlebar so I couldn’t leave.
    “ I gotta go. I’m gonna be
late on my first day,” I said anxiously.
    “ Ride carefully, watch out
for cars, and don’t forget to call Gamma. She called this morning,
but I didn’t want to wake you,” she said quickly and backed away.
“Remember, be good to those who are alive, because what good is it
when they are dead?”
    “ I know, I know,” I
muttered, hearing that phrase from her for the hundredth time.
“Bye, Mom.” I smiled and pedaled my way to work on the red bike I
had received last Christmas. Although I enjoyed riding, I was
hoping to get a used car, or perhaps a new car, for my birthday. I
didn’t think I had ever pedaled so quickly in my life because I
could feel my heart pounding in and out of my chest. I watched out
for cars, just as I had promised. When I came to the first red
light, I got off my bike and pushed the “walk” button. Impatiently,
I pushed the button several more times, hoping that it would make
the light change faster. I didn’t know how these things worked, but
I thought maybe it would sense my urgency.
    Walking to school was much easier
since it was a shorter distance, but it was just an excuse so that
I wouldn’t have to ride my bike to school. I just couldn’t do it.
Riding my bike to and from work was one concession I had to make to
my mom. She’d rather have me ride the bike instead of walking home
in the dark, since she usually worked the night shift. I knew it
would put her mind at ease, so I didn’t put up a fight. Patty lived
nearby and we had planned to ride home together.
    As I approached the building, a sense
of