Not His Happiness

Chapter 2 - Encounter

Why am I crying?

I pulled out my handkerchief and wiped the tears from my cheeks and blew my nose.

I was standing along the dark empty street. I looked around. I was alone, but I felt something weird had happened. My hands were cold, my body tembling. I felt my chest and my heart was throbbing hard and fast and it was painful. I was running out of breath.

Easy, Erin. Breathe. I calmed myself.

I checked my watch and it was 5:35 am when I noticed some drops of blood on the pavement. 

Creepy. 

I was about to bent down to look further when a car stopped right in front of me. 

"Hey Erin, hop in. I'm on my way to the University." Mr. Fawks said looking at me by the open window of his ford truck.

"Yeah thanks." I quickly got inside the truck. "Good thing you saw me." I said smiling at him. Mr. Fawks was an employee at UO. He was our neighbor and my late grandmom's friend. "You are early today."

"Yes, need to do some paper rush, you know, I'll be leaving next week to L.A." he sounded sad but he was smiling. His wife Sandra Fawks died couple of months ago, and his daughter wanted him to live with them in California. 

"It's sad that you'll be leaving Eugene but I'm happier since I know that you will be with your family and cute grandkids" I said grinning.

"I know you'll be sad because you will miss a free ride like this." he laughed and I smiled back. "Still working at Irma's?"

"Yeah," I worked part time at a coffee shop inside the University campus. My college plan was not enough to cover for all of my college expenses and house bills. 

After forty minutes of driving Mr. Fawks dropped me off at Irma's Coffee.

"Thanks Mr. Fawks, take care." I waved goodbye to him.

"Your welcome my dear, tell your mom I said hi." then he drove off to his office. 

I felt gloomy remembering my mom. Not that I hate her, but we didn't have that kind of a mother-daughter relationship. We were kind of stangers to each other.

Good vibes, come on!

I started walking inside the shop and set up my plans in mind for today in work and in school.

..........

The day went by and I had the usual. Usual job, usual food for lunch and usual classes. I felt tired, sleepy and drained. I wanted to finish schooling then work and earn money. How hard could it be? 

It's hard because you don't have money. 

Yeah right. 

I was looking for an empty classroom so I could nap when our department head called me. Goodness, I just wanted to have a quick break. It's not everyday that I had a vacant class! 

I reluctantly approached her and saw that she was with a student from CAS. 

"Erin, this is Wilma from CAS. She is majoring in sociology. They need respondents for their research. It will be a personality test. Since professor Chin is not around, can you give them a hand?" Mrs. Albert, our department head said. It was more of a command than a request. I didn't have a choice but to nod. The test sounded interesting but I'm not in the mood today.

Wilma led the way to their building. It was 10 minutes walk from our building. She kept talking about the upcoming test and how excited and nervous she was since she would be graduating  this Spring. I envied her on that part. When we arrived, she handed me the attendance sheet.