Split

13

The good day would soon be over if I didn’t make my way to The Blast. So, I put the car in reverse, and backed my way out of the driveway. Drumming my thumbs out of beat, I drove down the roads. When I approached a light, I began to stop, and turned on the radio. “For a day in April, it is pretty sunny. Usually, there would be a lot of clouds, if not rain around this time. This year alone we’ve been getting a lot of rain. Predicted to continue throughout the season. Personally, I wouldn’t be amazed if it continued into summer. But who am I to bic about the weather? Let’s get back to some music!”

                Drumming more on beat of the song, I turned corners and down the roads. I liked when I got to hear the morning radio announcer. Sadly, he only does his show during the weekdays, and usually when I’m in school, already in class. Was a good change.

                I pulled into the empty parking lot. Grabbing the last piece of bacon from the plate, I grabbed my things from the back. I pulled my way out, put the car keys in my mouth, and shut the door with my foot. Still chewing the bacon, I managed to lock the car doors with my lips, nearly biting my tongue in the process.

                Jogging around the corner I buttoned up the vest and managed to get my bag around my neck. Checking my watch, I began to slow down. I still had a little bit of time left before I had to be at the front counter. I would have honestly preferred to sleep in the first day of break, but I promised before I would come in. Thus, here I am. I really had no problem with it though.

                I began to walk at a steady rate to the restaurant when I heard someone call my name. I looked around to see James waving at me, beckoning me to come to him. I looked both ways before crossing the street. Before 10, there would probably be only a few cars here and there. Nothing major. I jogged over to him, and before I got to put in a ‘Hi’ or ‘What’s up?’ Jake came from around the car, and stuffed boxes into my chest. “Here,” he started. “Glad you got here when you did. I hate walking back and forth.”

                James and I walked our way to the restaurant as Jake got the rest of the things from the car. The wind blew at the worst moment, and my bangs flew. Flew enough, that my forehead was visible. “HOLY GUN SHOT!!! Leo, dude, what happened to your head?” James nearly dropped his boxes as he began to laugh.

                “I tripped over a basket last night.” I said to him.

                “OH!!! So a basket did that to your face?!”

Tears began to run down his face at this point. “The guy who could take a paintball straight to the throat like a man, got bruised from a fall?”

                “Getting shot in the throat and falling on the forehead are two different things, James.”

                “Yea, getting shot hurts more. So how’d you fall anyway?” He said as we put the boxes in front of the door.

                “The basket was in front of my door. The lights were off, and I guess my mom put them there.”

                “Mom?” Jake said from behind, holding boxes in one arm and looking for his keys with his free hand.

                “Yea, she came back last night.” I said moving out of his way.

                “No kidding. Should come by with the wife sometime then, I’m sure she’d like to see her.”

                James laughed. “More like YOU’D like to see her, dad.”

                Jake punched his son in the shoulder as he opened the door with his foot. “Well, I hate to inform anyone who wants to see her, but she left again this morning. She said she was going to stay longer this time, but her boss wanted her early instead.”

I walked in and placed the boxes on a table. “So, she came home, promised to stay, and then had to leave?” Jake said as he followed behind me.

                “That’s pretty much it.” I replied. “But she made me breakfast and filled my gas so I can’t really complain.”

                I sat down, and reached for my apple in my bag. It wasn’t there. I left it in the car. “Crap.” I sighed.

                “What?” James asked as he opened a box.

                “Forgot my apple in the car.” I stood up and felt around for my keys.

                “You’re crying about an apple now? The head ‘injury’ wasn’t enough for you?”

                “Don’t want it going bad. Getting smells out of small areas could be hard. Especially in cars.”

                “Boy’s got a point, son.” Jake said as he pulled out his box cutter. “Don’t be too long.”

                I walked to the door and put up a hand. “I’ll be back soon then.”

                I walked down the street, whistling off tune, I turned the keys on my thumb. My mind was blank. I knew where I was going, and what I was going to do. But when it came to anything else, my mind was clear. I turned the corner to the parking lot, and found someone sitting. Sitting on my car. Her legs were crossed, and in her hand, an apple.