Project Z.A.

Chapter 1

Houston Texas,  April 11th, 2020

This time around in Texas is just starting to get into warmer weather. The bees are buzzing, trees are budding and the air is hotter then ever. It's insanely dreadful. My old truck rumbles on the country road. Inside of the truck I blare my music as I sings along and dances to the radio; I hear my cell phone begin to ring; I answers.

"Hello?" I say, turning down the radio. "Hello?"

"Scarlett, Where are you?" Says a mans voice. I crinkles My face as I have forgotten have done something wrong and answer.

"Hey dad! What's up?" I lean up agains the drivers side door biting my nails nervously.

"Don't you 'hey dad' me young lady! Where are you? You were supposed to be home hours ago!"  I roll my eyes in response knowing he can't see it and sigh.

"I know dad. I got caught up. What are you doing home so early anyways? Did you need something?" I asks, trying to change the subject. I can hear him sigh on the other end.

"I just came home to get something for work. Scarlett, I just need you to show a little bit more responsibility." I sighs." Scar, listen. What have I always taught you? If you say you're going to be somewhere..." I playfully mocks him. "Then be there. I know dad." I say.

"I'm sorry. I didn't do it on purpose. We were all just hanging out at the lake and I lost track of time. I'm on my way." Danial sighs again. Danial tried to speak again but I interrupt him. "I love you dad!"

"Okay, okay. I love you too. Just make sure you don't forget to stop by the dry cleaners on your way and pick up my uniforms." I realize I am already halfway home put my hand on my face mouthing not-so-nice words.

"Oh- oh yeah dad I was already on my way there." I checks my mirrors to see if it's safe to make an illegal U-turn. 

"Mhm. I'll see you in a few hours Scar. Please be careful." I smiles.

"You know me, I'm always careful." They exchange goodbyes and end the call and turns the radio back up. A few miles later I finally pull into the parking lot of the dry cleaners. I close the door of the truck and open one of the double glass doors of the store; holding it open for an elderly lady to exit. We exchanged 'thank you's' and 'you're welcomes' after the women compliments me on how beautiful and healthy my long dark brown hair is. When I enter the dry cleaners it smells like laundry detergent and some other smell I can't quite pin point. Cigarette smoke?

"Well look who it is." The women behind the counter says with a thick accent. Her gray with hints of blonde hair knotted messily at the base of her neck. Her blue 'Sammy's Cleaners' t-shirt has a name tag 'Mary' pinned to it.

"Hello Mary, how have you been? It's been a while." I walk to the counter picking up the dry cleaners business card from a coffee cup on the counter. She gives a small chuckle and places it back into the cup. She had asked my father to make those for her years ago, so I had made them.

"Why, yes indeed it has. I haven't seen you in almost a year. You look wonderful honey." Mary was always kind to me. Ever since I was a little girl m dad would bring me here to pick up his uniforms for work and Mary would give me lots of candy which my father didn't always appreciate. Mary was a lot like a grandmother figure to me since she never got to meet her grandparents who died when I was young from a house fire. I can tell it's made my dad very anxious about leave me alone at the house while I'm sleeping. There's fire detectors all over the house and cameras on the front and back porch. 

"Here are your daddy's uniforms, I made sure to spray them with that coconut scent he likes."  She walks around the counter handing me four covered uniforms. I never understood why he always requested that scent. They exchange 'thank you's and goodbye's' and of course Mary telling me to not be a stranger and to come visit more often. I exits the double doors of the cleaners, opens the truck door;  tossing the uniforms in the passenger seat of the truck turning the key in the ignition and listens to it come to life. I give a smile patting the steering wheel of the old truck and exit the parking lot.