Moonlit Futures

Lexi POV

12 Days Later

Hitching my back pack up over my shoulder, I turned to look at the woman dropping me off. Giving her a smile and a small wave, I watched as her car faded into the distance. Looking down at my watch I saw the early hour and sighed. Looking one way down the street and then the other, I debated the way to go. Muttering curses to myself I decided to just pick a direction and walk when a giant guffawing laugh came from somewhere behind me. Jumping and skirting my eyes at the alley ways behind me I squinted as a massive shape started to emerge from the shadows. Reaching for the knife behind my back I took a step back as the hulking shape of a man emerged. Hearing his laugh again caused me to wince. Walking towards him he started to look me up and down. Zeroing in on the hand gripping my knife he just scowled at me.

"If I wanted to hurt you, I'd have done it before you even knew I was there with that laugh of mine." Staring at him uncertainly I watched him move to lean against the side of the building.

"You in some sort of trouble girl? You seem awful jumpy."

"I'm not jumpy, I'm cautious." I snapped out at him. 

"Cautious? Is that what you'd call it then? You prepared to use that weapon?"

"I'll do whatever is necessary." I growled out at him in frustration.  Seeing him nod at me he stood up straight and started back to the buildings door I could now see was open.

"Seems to me like you got it all figured out then girlie. Doesn't sound like you need any help for a kind stranger." Hesitating for a second I spoke up quickly. 

"I... may need some help." With another big laugh he turned around and motioned for me to follow him into the building. Slowly I followed to see we entered into a bakery. Looking around I kept my gaze on him as I browsed the different nooks and crannies.

"You bake?" I asked him as he started to put an apron on.

"I do. Wonder what gave it away?" Sticking my tongue out at him I stood there awkwardly  as he started mess with the dough.

"Well, are you waiting for a personalized invitation? Grab the apron and come over her and help me. The sooner we get this done the sooner we can help you get un lost." Humphing at a sigh at his audacity I walked over to the wall and grabbed an apron. Wrapping it around my small frame I tied my hair up and walked over to the sink. Washing up quickly I went back to him and waited until he smacked dough in front of me. Watching his movements I began to copy them as best I could. Giving me pointers every now and then, we worked in relative silence until we had everything put in the oven or cooling on the racks. Grabbing a water from the cooler he threw one at me before grabbing a seat on an old sagging stool. Taking a giant swig out of his water he wiped his mouth on the back of his hand before leveling me with his gaze again. Sipping my water slowly I looked down at my shoes. 

"I'm going to ask you one more time before I agree to help you, you in some kind of trouble?" He asked after a couple minutes of silence. Looking up at him I met his gaze.

"No." Watching the slow spreading smile mark his face, I started to sip my water again and looked out at bakery floor.

"Why do want to help me? You don't even know me." I asked turning  back to face him. Seeing his gaze turn to over my shoulder, I tensed and turned quickly to see a red head with frizzing hair enter into the shop.

"Hey  POPS!" She yelled out. Seeing me she gave me a curious look before bustling to put her stuff down. Looking at him questioningly she started to the register when he gave a small shake of his head. Looking at him with squinted eyes I watched him shrug.

"I've a soft spot for badasses who think they don't need help." He said getting up from the stool. Walking over to the girl he hugged her quickly before kissing her forehead. Walking out of the bakery I scooped my back up, glanced at the girl one last time and raced to catch up.

"So first things first, I'm assuming you need a place to stay."

"Uhh yeah." I told him as I trotted along next to him. 

"Old Maude runs a boarding house. Don't think she's got anybody staying there right now but we can get you a room. You got work 5 days from 2:30-7:30 and then 1 day 2:30-7:30 and then come back at 6 to 10. You show up late you're pay gets docked. I'll start you off at 8.50 an hour and after 30 days you stick around, we bump you up. Amber runs the place and sometimes I pitch in but I'm more comfortable in the kitchen."

"Wait a second. You want me to work for you?" I asked stopping and looking at him confused. 

"Where else you gonna work? You need a job don't you?" Nodding at him, he turned quickly and started walking again. Running to catch up I grabbed his arm and made him stop.

"You sure you want to hire me? I don't have trouble but I've got a lot of baggage." Sucking up my pride I looked at him and spat out, "I have PTSD. I'm still learning to cope with that. I'm off my meds and just trying to handle it. Figured if you were going to be so nice to me I needed to be up front with you." Dropping his arm, I watched as he looked me over.

"You seem to be doing ok to me.  Think I'll take my chances." Turning on his foot he started walking again. Smiling softly to myself I jogged and caught up to him.  

Walking quickly he turned and went into a big white house with turquoise shutters and door. The porch was inviting with it's rocking chairs and bright potted plants. Following in after him, I heard him and a lady talking animatedly in the kitchen. Walking into it I was awed by the grey cabinets, green back splash and light white counter tops. Looking around I turned back to see him smiling at me and her trying to cover her smile with her hand. Smiling sheepishly I went over to introduce myself.

"Hello."

"Hi dear. Dale here says you need a place to stay." Nodding my head at her I watched as she went over to a draw and pulled out a ring of keys. "Each leads to a room. I don't have anybody renting now but you so I'll let you have your pick. You and Dale can go look together while I finish up making coffee." Dale grabbed the keys and started walking towards the stairs, following him  we opened several doors and I peaked into them. Moving down the line I stopped at one with a big window that showed the forest behind the house. Seeing the window seat I turned to Dale.

"This is it."

"Figured as much. I'd pick this one to. Let's go tell Maude which one you're in and then I'll show you a bit around the town." Putting my back pack down, I closed the door and followed Dale into the kitchen. Telling Maude I picked the window room and seeing her smile, I listened to Dale and discuss rent. She agreed to let me pay her with my first check for the time I spent now and the rest of the month. Hearing that rent was due the first of the month I nodded at that and making our excuses we turned and walked out to explore the town.