The New Girl

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

I started working for Romero Scrapyard two weeks ago and things are going pretty well. I work in the office with a guy with prosthetic hands named Chucky and he's been really nice, showing me to ropes and helping me learn how things work. Sitting behind the counter, double checking paperwork and entering it into the system, I print out the report and need the boss, Bishop, to sign off on it. "Chucky, I'm heading out to the yard. I'll be back." I tell him. "Absolutamente." he replies and I can't help but smile at he weirdness. Walking out of the office with the walkie talkie I say "Marci to Bishop." before releasing the button. "By the crusher." I hear Bishop reply. Walking out to where the crusher is, I see him in the booth, running the controls and wait until he stops the machine before I move closer. He climbs down out of the machine and asks "What up Sweetheart?" I can't help but smile at the endearment. "Just need your signature on this report." I tell him. He looks it over and signs his name before handing the clipboard back to me. "You could have sent Chucky out here." he tells me. "I know. But I like the walk." I tell him. Smiling softly he says "We're closing up a little early today. Think you can have everything done in the next hour?" he asks. "I'll make sure of it." I tell him. He nods before getting back on the crusher and I walk back to the office.

An hour later, the guys walk into the office and I start shutting the computer down and getting the paperwork filed and as I walk to clock out, I hand the file to Bishop and he says "You're doing a great job Sweetheart. Why don't you head on into the clubhouse and relax for a while." he tells me. "Are you sure? I don't want to overstep." I tell him. "Positive. Head on in. We're heading inside too." he tells me. Smiling softly I say "I think I will. Thank you Bishop." I head into the clubhouse, and walk over to the bar and the girl behind the bar asks "What can I get you?" Ordering a Jack and Coke, she gets my drink and I sit at the bar and just look around at the people that I work with and can't help but smile, watching them all cut loose and laugh with each other.

After a few minutes of watching, someone sits down next to me. "Having fun?" Bishop asks. "I am actually. It's been a long time since I was able to relax, just unwind." I tell him. "Well, you're welcome here any time." he tells me. "I appreciate that. More than you know Bishop." I say. After I finish my drink, I say "Time I head home. I'll see you Monday." I tell him. "Be safe." he says and watches me walk out of the door, waving to the other guys on my way out.

The drive home was nice. I've not felt this relaxed in a long time. I pull into my driveway and head to my front door. Walking up, I grab the mail and start to thumb through it as I walk in the door. As soon as I get the door closed and locked, I sort through a little better and find an envelope that has no postage. Opening it up, I pull out a card. It's an anniversary card and on the inside, a simple message. I will always find you. I drop the card and rush to double check the doors and windows to make sure they're locked and secure before moving to the bedroom and checking that my gun was under my pillow. I change and lay in bed and eventually doze off as the sun starts to come up.

Waking up a few hours later, I look at the time and see it's a little after noon. I get up and move to the kitchen, still checking that my doors and windows are locked. I thought I could move and start fresh, actually not have to look over my shoulder anymore but it seems I was wrong. What am I going to do?

Monday morning comes and I am looking over my shoulder all the way to work. I can't let my guard down. Sitting at the desk, checking paperwork, Bishop walks in. "Morning Sweetheart." he says. "Morning Bishop." I say but don't look up. "You okay?" he asks. I finally look up at him and say "Yeah. Just checking paperwork. Do you need anything?" I ask. "No Sweetheart. Just want to make sure you're okay." he says. I smile softly and say "I'm good. Thank you though." before going back to the paperwork. He looks at me confused but doesn't say anything, just heads out to the yard. Chucky walks in and sees me already working. "Are you okay?" he asks. I don't look at him but say "Yeah Chucky. I'm okay." He puts his hand on mine and says "Here we're familia. Familia takes care of familia." he says. "Thanks Chucky." I say.

The evening, we close up shop and I head home and don't say anything to anyone. I pull up to my driveway, I walk up to my door. Seeing a package sitting on my porch, I see there's no labels or any other type of markers on it. I rush back to my car, hands shaking as I get out my phone and call the first person I think of. He answers after the second ring. "Hello." he answers. Voice shaky I say "Bishop, I need help."