Her Mate

Chapter eight

I sat on the floor of my trailer with my back against the front of the couch and my chin on my knees. Why do I do this to myself? Maybe i should become one of those bitches who just doesn't give a shit. It wasn't me but would make my life far easier.

My phone vibrated for the countless time today since I woke up. Probably Joann or my boss to fire me, neither of which I wanted to deal with. Turns out, I didn't feel like dealing with anything today aside from sitting here in the clothes I wore last night.

"You going to answer that?" Joann asked poking her head in from outside causing me to sigh in disgust. Why did I leave the door open?

"I haven't returned any of your calls because I didn't want to talk to you. That's not an invitation to come by now so leave me alone." I got up and headed towards my kitchen to get away from her.

"Crystal! Will you stop and talk to me?" She asked following me. I didn't need this right now!

I turned around to face her my blood already boiling. "No! I don't want to talk, Joann. Get the damn hint!"

"I'm sorry about what happened. Dad is too. He had a bit too much to drink and-"

I ran my hand through my hair trying to get a grip on my anger. It was so typical of her to think all this was just because of our father and of course, making excuses for him. Will she ever change? I just grabbed my beer and headed outside.

What the hell you doing drinking? You got work soon don't you? She asked following me out. I figured there was no avoiding this so I just let it out.

"I got fired."

"What? Why?" She asked with her mouth open in shock. She knew I really enjoyed working there.

I took several gulps of the beer as I tried to think of a way to tell her without telling her about... well the stuff she couldn't know about.

"Nancy found out about me and Jake. You can imagine she wasn't happy and had some words for him. For some reason he thinks I had something to do with her finding out and came into the store last night..."

She wrapped her arms around me and as much as I hated to admit it, it felt good. I have been dealing with a lot.

"I know! Let's go to Lakeside and hit the mall. Maybe get a real drink..." she grabbed my beer from me "How many of these have you had today?"

"Relax. It my first." I said grabbing it back from her. "Thanks but I really don't need you feeling sorry for me." This causes her to laugh a little shaking her head. "Oh I'm not feeling sorry for you. On the contrary, I'm actually thrilled and think we need to celebrate." She sat down on the step beside me taking the beer from me again. This time she took a large drink of it and put her arm around me "Look! I get you're upset about the job but you'll find a better one or I'll get everyone I know to boycott that place till they take you back. You my little mistress-in-training need to look at the bigger picture. That asshole is gone and" She held her finger up beside her "with a little luck, Nancy or whoever she is will also wise up and dump his ass. Two for one." She beamed proudly at me and I couldn't help but laugh. So much for me staying mad at her. "You really hated him, didn't you?"

"Mmmmm yeaaah. I'll see him every so often in town yet I've never seen his wife. Does he keep her locked away in a dungeon or something? It's not fucking normal, Crystal! Then he gives you the same treatment. Do I really need to go in about the bruises I've seen you with?"

She was right of course. Besides moping around here wasn't going to do me any good so I decided to meet her over in Lakeside. She took off to change and I needed to myself after hopping into the shower.