over is late. Seriously, how do some people hold jobs? I couldn’t afford to be late. Truly, an hour’s worth of pay can mean extra food, an extra few miles in my car - hell, maybe a treat once in a while.
“She’s here,” Jenny grumbles into my ear.
I turn and see Susie coming through the door. She’s hungover, I can see it a mile away. Too bad for her. I’ve been here all day and I need to go home, shower, and snuggle up with my cat and watch a tragic movie. I’m in one of those moods.
“Thank god,” I sigh, turning on my aching feet and heading out back.
I dress quickly, pulling on a pair of old shorts and a tank. I grip my purse, my keys and phone, then I spin on my heel and head back out. I wave to Jenny and Susie, but they don’t notice because Susie is getting her head chewed off by Jenny. Good; the girl needs to learn some better work ethics. I slip past the customers and out the front door. I find my car, slide in and start it up. The cooling kicks in right away, and I sit for a moment, just letting it wash over me. While I do this, I stare down at the little arrow that shows me how much gas is left. It’s gone below empty but my car is pretty good on gas, so I’m almost sure it will make it home without a problem.
I get driving, and am halfway home when the car begins to splutter. That’s fucking Murphy’s Law! My eyes widen and I curse loudly as it begins to slow down. You’ve got to be fucking kidding me? This is NOT happening right now. As she comes to a complete stop, I manage to just get her off the road. I get out, letting off a frustrated bellow. I kick the tire so hard I hurt my toe, badly. Hobbling, I grip my hair and yell loudly to the sky. God dammit. I’m ten miles from home, it’s dark, late and the chances of anyone coming past in the next few hours is slim at this time of the night. Dammit, fuck my stupid mistakes. If I didn’t trash the bar, I would have been paid and my car would have enough damn gas! Fuck.
I get back in, turning the key. She splutters, but doesn’t start. Tears well in my eyes, and my chest begins to ache. Why is this happening to me? God dammit. I had a good fucking life. I get out of the car again, kicking the door closed. I hobble into the trees angrily, hot tears running down my cheeks. There’s little to no cell phone service here, so I have to walk to try to get some. My toe is throbbing, and my heart hurts. When did my life go so wrong? I had it all worked out. I was dating, I was getting ready to go to school, I was finding my happiness...and then Chey died and everything spiraled out of control. I tilt my head up to the sky, and I scream.
“Why did you go and fucking die, Chey? Why? You left so much destruction behind. You left people broken. They blame me, you know? It’s my fault! I was the one who brought Spike home! They don’t smile anymore, he doesn’t smile anymore. Why did you have to go and fuck everything up? You always were so selfish! Everything had to go your way! I had a life, I was going to college, I was going to meet a nice man and be happy but then you went and died. Now everything is fucked up, everything is broken and here I am, on the side of the road, because I can’t afford gas. Damn you, Cheyenne, DAMN YOU !”
I’m screaming so loudly I miss the sound of the Harley-Davidson. When I lower my head, I see him. The light from his bike illuminates him, and he just stands there, arms crossed, watching me scream at nothing. Of course he’d be the fucking one to stop. Of course! Tears blur my vision, but I can see the pain in his face, even through them. My heart hammers, and I hate that he’s seen me like this - vulnerable, angry and alone. He continues to see the weak parts of me. My breathing is heavy, my chest rises and falls dramatically. It takes me a moment to calm myself enough to speak, and when I do it comes out as a broken rasp.
“Fuck off, Spike. I don’t need you here.”
“What the fuck are you doin’
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