The Dawn of Realization.

Chapter Five.

  I sat in my dads car, in the complete and total silence. It was dark, the only light streaming in from the window in the corner of the garage. It was so eerie to be sitting behind the wheel of the Lincoln, especially since I had never done such when he was alive. Even when I had went to practice for my driving test, I was only allowed to drive my moms small Toyota before she had gotten her shiny new Cadillac. 

     And here I was, waiting for something to happen out of nothing. 

     I glanced around the front seat of the car, chewing on my lip, wondering if things would ever really pan out. I had been trying to convince everyone that dad would never do something like this, but the words seemed to fall on deaf ears. 

      In the console between the seats, I saw his cell phone. I stared at a few minutes, unsure if I was seeing things or not. After what seemed like forever, I picked it up gently. I pressed the power button, waiting for it buzz on. The light was blinding at first, followed by that obnoxious tone nearly all phones had. 

     I scrolled through slowly, careful not to miss anything, and went straight to recent calls. There were several calls; conversations that hadn't lasted more than a couple of minutes. I didn't recognize the number, but I memorized it.

     555- 3457. 555- 3457. 555- 3457. 555- 3457.

    I continued on to browsing the texts, which were most short and to the point. At this point, my heart rate had kicked up a bit.

                                                                 where r u???

                                                                    555-3457.

    The texts were all from the same number. Persistant, they were.

                                                       we need to talk a.s.a.p

                                                                    555-3457.

      The following texts were all variations of the first few, all demanding and hurried. I briefly wondered why dad hadn't saved the contact so it would be easier finding out who had needed him so badly. 

    I read over the number a few more times, half thinking I should call and ask what they wanted while the other half was too scared. I turned the phone off and tucked it in to my jeans pocket. Maybe later, I would have the courage to call. 

     I climbed out of my dads car and slid in to mine. I had to work today; I loathed early shifts. I had to open the store today. At least, I had some sort of income. As far as I knew, my dad was the bread winner in our home before and mom hadn't had a job in years, calling herself " a stay at home mom. " I never understood that. 

     Standing at the register, watching the old ladies meander down the aisles, looking at clothes that smelled of mothballs. I couldn't complain, most of my clothes came from this store on the 10% discount that I received with my employment. 

     I kept thinking of 555- 3457. Who were they? Why had they called my dad on the last day so many times? Was it a woman? Man? A friend? A foe? There was an ocean of options swimming around in my head. So far, it was only a number that could tell me the truth of what was going in my dads life before it ended.

     Thierry was waiting by my car once my shift ended. I paused mid step once I spotted him, a feeling of dread settling in my stomach. The cold wind ruffled his hair and pulled at his T-shirt. I took a moment to really look at him for the first time in awhile. His eyes registered concern every time they met mine. 

     " What are you doing here? " I asked, pulling the car keys from my pocket. I looked around, impatiently. 

     " I was wondering if you wanted to grab a bite to eat. " He said, shoving his hands deep in his pockets. " You look hungry. " 

     I was hungry. " Okay, Thierry. " 

     We walked across the street to the diner and I tucked my keys away, which seemed to comfort him in some way. We ordered our food and sat in silence for a few moments, which seemed to span across the room forever. 

    He looked at me, tipping his head to the side a little. I turned my head away, seeing my reflection in the window. I looked more than a little distant. The clear blue eyes that normally reflected back were far away and muddy with apprehension. I turned away again. 

     " What's wrong, Dawn? " He asked. 

     I sighed. " Everything. " 

     Before he could respond, the waitress brought our drinks. She handed me the Coke and took a moment longer handing Thierry his, brushing her fingers along his, giving him a smile, and saying: " If you need anything, I'm Shannon. " 

     " Thanks, that's all. " I said, clipped. She stared at me for a moment before returning to the kitchen. Thierry didn't hide his smirk, but I stifled my frown. 

     " Was that jealousy? " He raised an eyebrow. 

    " No, she was just obnoxious. " I looked away, suddenly finding the husky trucker in the corner very intriguing. Anything else to look at it. 

    Then it was quiet again.  Weeks ago, I couldn't stop myself from spilling my heart out to Thierry; now I could barely open my mouth. 

     " Are you still ony tyrade? " He asked. 

     " No, " I lied, looking down in my drink, fiddling with the straw. " I guess it's pointless."

     " Are you going to be okay? " He placed his hand over mind, like he always did, since I wouldn't let him get any further than that these days. 

      " Yeah. " I said, wondering why I kept lying to him. I could have easily said I had found a phone number and I was going to delve deeper into this mess than I already had, but I didn't. Why? I liked Thierry enough, there was no doubt about that, but I just couldn't draw him into this until I had something substantial to tell everyone about. 

      " Things happen. " He murmured, sympathetically. " I'm here for you. " 

      " Thanks, Thierry. " I removed my hand from under his, pretending that I needed it just to lift my drink to my lips. I'm sure he felt gouged out, but so did I. No one else seemed share my idea, so I would keep it to myself.  

     After we ate our food, he walked me back to my car and kissed my cheek. I stood there, probably looking dumb, as he walked away. I felt a twinge of guilt for avoiding him so much, but I needed to get this sorted out first.  I did miss him, though. Not denying that. Then again, I'd give him up if I could just have my dad back. I'd give anything up for that.