Chasing Hearts Read online

Everything is a buzz inside where Katie works. She tries to keep up with her manager

  as he tells her what still needs to be done for the day. Katie hopes she was hearing

  everything over the loud equipment that was hard at work.

  “Katie! Have someone work my shift. I have a interview in about - oh! In about five

  minutes!"

  Katie takes over his clipboard and about to take the charge when she sees the new

  possible employee walk in. Good looking that's for sure but not possible he will even get

  the job. Sykes hasn't hired anyone in six months. Not sure why because they were

  already short-handed.

 

  "I like your attitude, and I think you'd fit right in here! You’re hired!"

  "I won't let you down.” Daniel says shaking his hand. He finally had a job. A job he

  would be starting tomorrow.

 

  "Hey, my man!" Jay yells out the window. "Did you get the job?"

  Daniel climbs into the truck. "I got the job! How did things go with Delilah?"

  "Well you know, there was this other guy..."

  Daniel looks at him, confused. "I'm kidding! She said yes Daniel! She said yes!”

  Before they knew it they were cruising through town.

  "Oh no," Daniel covers his smile with his hand.

  Jay sticks his head out the window. "I'm getting married! Whooo! I'm getting married!"

  Most people right out laughed at him but some yelled back, "Congratulations!"

  "Well I think you just saved money on invitations right there."

  Jay turns to Daniel, who is just amused. "And you, you'll be my best man, man."

  "Yeah?"

  "Yeah.”

 

  "Mom?"

  "Daniel! How'd it go?!"

  "I got the job. Where’s dad?"

  "Out. Who knows where." She talks, drying the last of the dishes sitting in the drainer.

  "How would you feel about me getting an apartment of my own? You could stay with me

  if you'd like.“

  She puts her dishes down and sits at the table. "No. You go. You've earned it."

  Daniel takes a seat by her. "The offer still stays if you change your mind.”

  "I'm thinking about calling your Aunt Careen today. I haven’t spoken to her in awhile so I

  can tell her what's new with you." Daniel’s mom smiles proudly.

  That night Daniel could hear his father crashing things into the walls and he could hear

  his mom trying to calm him down. He cringed when he heard him throw a glass bottle at

  the stair case. He was sure he could feel it rattle his room. He tries to block it all out so

  he could fall asleep but he never could. He was always too worried for his mom’s

  safety. It would be no use to go try to help, it would only make him angrier. Daniel’s

  mom decided it would be best for her to take care of the situation alone, for fear of

  Daniel’s safety.

 

  "You got it?" Katie asks.

  Daniel’s mindless expression was not amusing to her. "Mmhmm," he replies, not sure if

  he heard every word she said, but he knew what he was to do was easy. Sorting out

  part pieces. How hard could it be?

  "Okay. Get to work then." Katie orders and walks away.

  The day of work came and went fast. Fast and easy. Katie was always on her toes.

  Daniel wonders what was underneath that cold mask. She did what had to be done

  looking over things in the factory but never got too personal with the other workers.

  Daniel could see she took good note of what they needed help on. Making sure they

  were well looked after.

  "Lights out in two minutes!" The place was shutting down after a long day of work.

  Daniel looks around for Katie but she wasn’t there. Briskly he made his way through the

  building and out to the parking lot. She was walking to her car. "You scramble fast."

  Daniel shouts. Katie stops and spins around on her heal. Seeing Daniel making his way

  over.

  The young woman, strong and youthful, full of spirit but very vintage, with middle length

  dark brown hair and brown skin colored skin, stares at him.

  "Are you free?" Daniel asks.

  Katie was unsure how to answer that, and hid her annoyance by gripping tighter on to

  her purse handle.

  "Actually no. I must go, good day," She finishes as she realizes he grabbed on to her

  purse. Katie pulled but he pulls right back. She pulls harder but it ends up ripping the

  handle.

  "Can I have my purse PLEASE?" Katie asks threw her clenched teeth.

  "No."

  Baffled she turned to see if anyone was watching. This was absurd!

  Daniel didn’t know why he did that, but he knew he didn’t want her to go.

  "What do you want?” She snaps.

  "Go on a date with me."

  Frustrated she took moment to think. "If that is what it's going to take....Okay. You win.

  I'll go. JUST ONCE!”

  “Alright. Lets go!” Daniel smiles.

  “What? Now? NO!” Katie thought his one has certainly lost his mind. She stares at him

  in disbelief, but his eyes staring right back into hers stung her soul and she felt herself

  giving in. “Okay! Okay! Let’s go.”

  CHAPTER THREE