Get Ready to Run

Chapter Three

Chapter Three

Although Tyler refused to let me pay rent, saying he was only trying to give Hayden a hard time, I still decided to work full time at the restaurant. Partly because I didn't mind having a few extra dollars to spend and also because Margret, my boss and owner of the bistro, was such a sweet old lady, reminded me a lot of how my mom use to be.

Margret was the type of woman who, despite being older, was very up to date with everything. She called things as she saw them but she was always so sweet and loving. At times I felt like I was her granddaughter or something.

I was two hours into my shift and the regulars were already strolling in.

"Morning Frank, Coffee? Or are we gonna try and be a little more healthy this morning?" I smiled.

"Good morning to you to Sawyer. Coffee; I've come to the point in life where I'd rather die sooner and be happy drinking my dirty water than drinking some crap tea I know I'll hate." Frank, one of my regulars, responded in his usual chirpy voice.

I sniffled a laugh, "Of course, I'll bring that right over and put in your order."

"I swear that man is going to drop dead one day from eating so much bacon and drinking so much coffee" Margret said in her motherly tone as I reached the counter.

"He's sixty years old, I doubt there's hope for him at this point." I chuckled.

As I grabbed the coffee pot I heard the bell chime as someone pushed open the front door. From afar I heard Margret say, "Hi sweetie, can I help you with something?"

"Hi, I'm looking for my sister...Sawyer. Is she here?" Hailey said, in a soft voice.

"Hailey? What are you doing here? Why are you not in school?" I almost jumped over the counter to make sure she was okay.

"She didn't feel too good and you wouldn't answer your phone so she called me and I went to go get her." Said Tyler from behind her. I hadn't even realized he was standing so close. I was so caught up on making sure my sister was okay I barely had time to register the words he had said to me.

Without looking in his direction I said, "What's wrong?"

"I'm fine, no one is here, my stomach just really hurts." She said trying to comfort me, rather than what I should have been doing for her.

Pulling her toward me in a side hug I finally faced Tyler. "Thank you, you didn't have to do that but I'm glad you did."

After much persistence, Margret managed to push me out the door to take Hailey home. She said I could take the day off but It wouldn't do any good. I was certain Hailey would spend it resting and nothing else.

Tyler  was extremely helpful and offered to carry Hailey to bed while I looked for something to give her. When I walked back to my room, I hesitated going inside. From the small gap left open in the door, I saw Tyler sitting besides my sister humming a familiar tune on his guitar while Hailey's eyes slowly drifted to sleep. I had no idea he was good with kids or capable of caring for someone else in general. It made me have a softer outlook on him.

I pushed open the door and he quickly stood from the bed and walked towards me, "I think she's coming down with a fever or something." He said, his voice sounding uncertain.

"Great." I said looking at my watch and seeing that the lunch rush would be coming in soon at the restaurant.

"Go." Tyler said.

"What?"

"Go! I can take care of her."

"Are you sure?" I asked worrisome.