Boundless Memories

Chapter 2

Psalmist

It was pushing 1:35 when I finally finished my nighttime duties at work. Just as expected, Damien had pulled up around 1:10 in a 2021 Dodge Charger. It was candy apple red and had black lightning stripes on the side. I always dreamed of driving a Charger. That was my favorite car. Unfortunately, I can't drive. My dad or brother didn't have the time to teach me. Maybe I could get Damien to teach me. Wishful thinking.

My manager, Paul, was just finishing up the computer work for the night. I waited until he gave me the okay to leave out. Damien saw me approaching the car, and he got out to greet me.

"Hey," he said. He opened my door for me, and I slid in. He closed the door and then proceeded to take the driver's seat. "So you're ready?"

"Yes," I answered. "Thanks for giving me a ride."

"No problem. How far do you stay from here?" he asked me.

"I stay about twenty minutes from here."

"The bus still runs this time of night? I thought they ended about 11 o'clock."

"It's just one that runs overnight. If I miss that one, I have to make that forty-five-minute walk home."

"That will never happen again. I just want you to know that. Why don't you have a car?"

"My dad worked all the time. He didn't have the time to teach me. My brother dropped outta school and moved out. My mom doesn't even know how to drive."

"Well, no need to worry about that then. I'll take the time to teach you, Psalmist."

"Thank you, Damien," I responded.

The rest of the drive to my apartment was quiet, except for me giving him directions. He offered up small details to me about his personal life. Like I said before, he was definitely intriguing. I didn't live in the best neighborhood, but I was glad that he didn't judge me. We sat outside my building just talking.

"Tell me something no one else knows about you," Damien asked me.

"I could tell you anything then. I never had anybody to confide in."

"What do you mean?"

"I've never had that girlfriend that you could tell your deepest, darkest secrets to. I didn't make lifelong friends growing up."

"Why not?"

"I was shy, and because my parents worked at my school, I was bullied a lot. We were also considered to be poor. Most of my clothes were my brother's old clothes."

"Wow, I'm sorry to hear that. Well, how about I be that friend for you? You could tell me anything, and I promise it'll stay between us."

"I'll keep that in mind," I responded giving him a bashful smile.

"Will it be okay if I walk you to your door? I don't want to come in. I just wanna make sure you get in safely."

"Sure that would be great."

Damien got out of his car and came around to open my door. He reached for my hand, and I obligingly took his. We passed by a group of dudes standing at my door.

"Yo, Saint, what you doing over here?" one of the guys said.

"Mind your business, Terrance," Damien said back to him.

"Let me get that," Terrance said to him. I had no idea what the hell he was talking about.

"When I come back out, I got you," Damien said to him.