The 48 Hour Hitch Hiker

Chapter 1

As I step out the back door of my work place to take out the trash I gasp as the cool night air bit at my arms. although it was a little chilly it was pleasant outside. but that feeling of pleasantness quickly faded. I was suddenly taken over by the intoxicating stench of rotten food and wet animals, causing me to gag. With a swift motion I toss the trash into its bin and walk back inside. so much for the nice night air.

With a sigh I set to work finishing up cleaning the rest of the dishes. I really loved working at this restaurant, but sometimes I just wish I got more help from the other employes. The owner of the store was always here, so he helps but other than that once the workers shifts are over they were out of this place.

Finishing up the last dish I stack them all up and finally take off my apron. With one last content look around the kitchen I clock out. "See you later Mr.Jones!" I exclaimed over my shoulder as I walk out the door.

"See you then Ms. Bernstein!" Mr.Jones called after me. As a smile tugged at my lips I close the door behind me and walk towards my car. with a swift press of a button my headlights flickered to life, and I opened the car door. With a single motion I'm in the car and the doors are closed.

The sound of my seatbelt being pulled out, and clicking into place was the only noise that filled the air, aside from the sirens far off in the distance that is. Moving my keys from my left hand to my right I start the car. Suddenly the once quiet car is now full of blaring music.

I let out a screech as my hands fly up to cover my ears. After sitting there for a while I realized that just putting my hands over my ears wasn't going to make it go away. quickly I extend my arm and spin the volume control. but sadly, in the wrong direction.

So the music that I once thought was loud at 25 was now at 40 something. with my hand still being on the control I spin it back the other way quickly.
"Way to go Opal......" I sigh to myself.
After finally fixing my radio, and making sure I wouldn't go def, I start on my journey home.

I only lived about a mile or two away from my work place so it didn't take long to get home. When I reached my front door I start to dig around my bag for my keys.

"Every single day......" I mummer.
Everyday after I have finished work and I get home I can't find my key.
"Got Ya!" I whisper aloud.

Whipping my key out of my bag I slip it into the key hole. With a single twist of my wrist I had the door unlocked and open. Then slam the door of my apartment shut.

"Finally home" I groaned. I kicked off my shoes and pooped myself down onto the couch. This has just sort of become a normal for me, you know? come home, sit down and sleep.

"I'm so tired, I could just fall asleep right here....... but I should probably shower first." I say, thinking aloud.
With those words to myself I peel off my jacket and toss it onto my couch. walking into my bedroom I fling open the door and slowly stumble in. work can make me so tired sometimes, I swear.

Grabbing my towel off the back of the door I head towards the shower, But not before I removed my glasses and set them on my nightstand. Within a minuet I have the water as hot as it can go and I begin to strip. As I step in the warm water meets my skin and a satisfied sigh leaves my lips. Every second I stand in the water I feel the stress of that day slowly disappear.

Finally after I was finished I stepped out only to be met with icy cold air. quickly I wrap the towel around my body and stepped out of my bathroom, I made a straight line to my bedroom. When I entered I gathered my clothes and changed.

I didn't really own much stuff, clothes a couch (one of those that turn into a bed A.K.A a pullout couch) fridge, microwave, stove, that was pretty much it. I don't even own a T.V.! I don't really have a use for it, one I'm never home to watch it, two most stuff on T.V. I can watch on Netflix which I have on my phone, and three I don't really care about news or gossip.

Grabbing my book off of my nightstand I suddenly here my phone go off. with a sigh I set my book back down and slap my glasses back on my face.

Scampering out of my room I close my door behind me. quickly scanning the living room for my phone I spot it in my jacket pocket. I made a mad dive for it and answered just before it stopped ringing.

'Yah! score one Opal. One hundred phone....' I mentally sigh.

"Hello can I help you?" I ask the caller on the other side of the phone. It was from an unknown number, but that's nothing new.

"Yes, hello is this Opal Bernstein?" The caller questions me.

"Umm.. this is her... can I help you?" I started to get a little bit uneasy I'd never gotten an phone call that sounded like this.

"I'm from the Adult and Health Care hospital here in San Antonio, Texas. Can I have you confirm your birthday for me?" the lady asked.

"Yes of course, seven, twenty one, eighty." I listened to the woman hum and type something into the computer.

"Thank you very much, now I am calling with information concerning your mother, Becky Bernstein."

My breath caught in my throat. Had something happened? Wait she said she was from a hospital what if something reall bad had happened! "Yes... that's my mom." Was all I manage to get out.

"Okay. I'm sorry to inform you but doctors have found a tumor in her brain. It's growing rapidly and it must be removed before it causes any more damage to her body. There will be a surgery a week from today. but there is a slight issue."

"What! what is it!" being told my mother has a brain tumor had sent me over the edge. As I'm trying not to cry, and lady informs me of something ever worse.

"You mother does no have enough money to pay for the surgery. she has asked them to take out all of the money out of her account as payment. but there wasn't enough. She then asked that the hospital to call you and ask if you had any money to spare." when the lady finished speaking I'm trying to think of something to say.

"Tell her I will transfer money in two days from now. How much is there left to pay?"

"There is still $2,500 owed." The caller informed me.

"T-Thank You." I manage to stutter out. With these final words I hang up the phone.

All the tears I had been holding back only moments ago came rushing down my face, like a never ending stream. After I pay my mothers bill I may not have any money left. And if it fails........ No stop. don't think about that.

As I slap my face I try to get my tears to stop. quickly I unlock my phone an start looking for the one person I knew I needed to call. I had about a thousand saved in my account. I was only fifteen hundred short. With this in mind I knew I would have to sell my couch for some extra money, and I would have to stop renting my apartment. Quickly I stop scrolling when I find my best friends name.

"Come on Bella pick up. I really need you right now." I quietly mummer.

"Hey Opal! what's up?" Isabelle's cheerful voice fills my ear.

"Hey. I need to ask you for a favor."