The Delivery Girl

37. Get Out

Callen

"Shit," I grumble as I dig through the mountain of documents and folders piled up on my desk, searching for my buzzing phone. It's probably our investment portfolio manager, finally getting back to me.

To my surprise, it's Julie. I feel the tension in my shoulders loosen.

"Hey Julie."

"C-Callen?" she sniffles.

My stomach sinks at the sound of her crying. "Julie? What's wrong?"

"Can I ask for a favour?" she whispers meekly.

"Of course, anything," I assure her.

"I need somewhere to stay," she says quietly.

"You don't need to ask." I grab my coat and keys. "Are you at home?"

"Y-yes, thank you. Just for a bit, I promise... just until I find my own place."

"Don't worry about that right now," I say firmly. "I'll come pick you up, hang tight."

–

I manage to find a nearby parking spot before heading towards the building. As I pass by the front windows, I can see how busy the restaurant is. It's bustling with people and activity – no wonder Julie is always so worn out after her shifts.

At the corner is the door that leads up into her family's apartment above the restaurant. Moments pass after I knock before a girl I vaguely recognize opens the door.

"Hi, you must be Callen," she says with a weak smile.

"Mei, right?"

She and Julie look surprisingly similar. Mei is definitely taller, but they have the same features.

"Yup, Julie's expecting you." I follow her up the creaky stairs into a compact home. It smells faintly of incense and every inch of space either has a piece of furniture or some sort of decoration.

Julie wasn't kidding when she described her home as a shoebox.

Mei leads me down the hall, speaking quietly. "You can imagine my surprise when she told me she was moving out, let alone the fact that you exist."

"Yeah, it's been complicated," I admit. "What happened? Julie didn't tell me."

Mei sighs softly. "All I know is that she and dad had another fight... it was clearly worse than usual, though," she explains as we stop in front of a door. "This is Julie's room."

I raise my hand to knock, but Mei suddenly grabs my wrist tightly, stopping me. She looks at me, giving me the same heart wrenching, earnest, pleading look as Julie.

"What's wrong? I whisper.

"Please take care of her," she says softly. "Julie acts strong and independent, but I know she feels like she's carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders."

I give her shoulder a squeeze. "I promise."

She nods, giving me a quick look that simultaneously says thank you and I will hurt you if you hurt her.

"Julie?" I knock lightly once Mei has left. "Can I come in?"

I hear a quiet yes before entering.

Her room is small, around the size of my walk in closet. Two open duffle bags sit on her bed. Clothes and other miscellaneous belongings are strewn everywhere, I can barely see the floor.