True North

Chapter 2

I woke up to my dad yelling my name.

"What?!" I yelled.

"Wake up! You have work in an hour!" he yelled from the kitchen.

"Alright!" I yelled back. I groaned and rolled out of bed. My dad must've taken Lucy down because she wasn't there. I quickly put on a pair of jeans and a white t shirt and tied up my hair. I had no time to do my makeup.

I rushed down the ladder, caught the toast my dad threw to me. He tossed me the keys to his truck.

"I'm taking the snowmobile today." he said. I put on my boots and parka gave him a hug and kiss and left through the front door.

Lucy was out in the back running around.

"Bye Lucy!" I yelled.

I went into the truck and started it up.

I got into town about a half hour later and three people were waiting outside the shop.

"Sorry." I apologized opening up. Wendy showed up too.

I took my regular shift. I gave Wendy and 20 minute lunch break at 12. Though I was starving I couldn't leave Wendy in charge. Luckily my dad showed up with a sandwich at 2. He just got off his morning patrol shift and stopped by.

"So how's work?" My dad asked me as I scanned another costumers item.

"Not as busy as usual." I said. I bagged the item and handed it to the man.

"Oh. Well maybe you can close up early?" he suggested but I knew I'd have to wait until closing time. I rubbed my forehead and sat on my stool.

"Dad, I'm really tired. A coffee would go great right about now." I tried hinting to him.

"Speaking about right now my afternoon shift is starting." My dad smiled. He zipped his jacket back up and waved goodbye as he walked out the front door.

"Hey, I didn't know that was your dad?" Wendy said coming up to the counter.

"Yeah." I said taking the money out of the cash.

"So he patrols?" Wendy asked. She followed me into the back room.

"Yeah he uh," I kneeled next to the safe. "he patrols the fishing areas. He makes sure everyone out there is okay. He gives out storm warnings too. You know stuff like that." I shrugged. I covered the keypad and dialed the code.

It opened and I put the money in it and shut the door. Wendy followed me out back into the store. I sat back on my stool.

"So he just scans the area?" Wendy asked.

"Yeah, he was a paramedic so now he is just a first aid ranger." I said tapping my foot on the bottom of the stool.

"What does your dad do?" I asked Wendy.

"I don't know?" she shrugged.

"Huh?" I asked. How can you not know what your parent does?

"My dad moved away when I was like 4.." Wendy's voice seemed to trail off.

"Oh, Im sorry." I decided to keep my mouth shut about that topic.

"No, it's okay. His loss. My moms great." She smiled.

"You're great too." I told her.

"Thanks." She said. I really wanted to change the subject because it was awkward in the dead silence.

"So, is your mom single? Or did she remarry?" I asked.

"Single. She tried dating but she wasn't ready." Wendy shrugged.