Lassoing Love

Getting A Job

The next evening I was desperate for something to do. I was absolutely sick of hanging around the house. I was past the point of desperation. So I did something that most people would probably say is stupid. I called Derek.

Not going to lie, it took me a while to figure out how to use the phone. Seriously, nobody has this kind of phone anymore. But after a few seconds of fiddling around with it, I finally get it to work. 

The slip of paper that Derek had given me is in my other hand and I look at the numbers written. His handwriting is a little sloppy and the last number is smudged slightly. 

After a few rings, he picks up. "Hello?" His voice is just as deep as I remembered.

Panic sets in and I suddenly have no idea what to say. "Umm, hi," is all I manage to produce. I scrunch my nose with disgust in myself. I should have at least said my name so he knows who this is.

There is a pause before he asks, "Who is this?"

"It's Jordan," I answer quickly.

"Jordan," he mumbles to himself, drawing out my name as if he is trying to remember me. "The girl from the park the other day?"

I perk up. "Yes, that's me. I was wondering if I could still take you up on your offer and hang out sometime." 

Waiting for his answer is torture, because I know guys like him and how easily they will say yes to anything. So if he ends up saying no, then I'm going to feel like a failure.

"Sure," his voice is quick and I barely catch the answer. "How's tonight work?"

Crap. I bite my lip as I hurry to find a solution to my new transportation issue. George won't be home for a while and I don't feel like asking him to drive me again. But then another idea pops into my head. "Tonight sounds great," I finally reply.

"Cool, so I actually live a few minutes away from the city. My town is Delton, just twenty minutes from Chunky. I could meet you at the movie theater there."

"Sounds perfect. What time?" I ask.

"I'm not sure what movie is playing but how about 6:30?"

"6:30 it is," I answer.

"OK, see you then." He hangs up before I can even say goodbye. I sigh because I know Derek is not a good person in any standards and because I have finally sunk this low. Desperation has won out and I am now hanging out with Derek just for the sake of company. 

Now all I have to do is make sure my ride can take me. I reach for the phone book just under the mounted phone and look up Duke's number. Within the minute I have his number dialed.

"Hello?" The voice is a woman's. Not quite what I was expecting, but then again it is his home phone that I called.

"Is Duke there?" I ask, suddenly unsure that I have the correct number.

"He sure is, let me get him. But first, may I ask who is speaking?" Her voice is friendly and filled with a southern accent. Without even having seen her before, I have an idea of what she looks like just from her voice. 

"It's, uh, Jordan. Jordan Cartwell." 

"Alright, just one minute," she informs. I wait for at least two minutes and force myself not to hang up the phone. What if he says no?

"Well this is a surprise," I immediately recognize Duke's voice.

I release a sigh and then say, "I was wondering if you could do me a favor."

"Will the favor be returned in some way?" he asks curiously.

I frown into the phone. "Sure, I guess."