Two Ghosts // h.s

CH. 1

Today is the day. I finally quit my job at Cherry Records, well more like forced to quit. I worked there for 3 whole years trying to support a life in LA for me and my dad. After the death of my mom, I had to drop out of school, not that I was really enjoying it anyways, and help my dad maintain our apartment. My dad passed away a year ago from a car crash. I was devastated, I lost both my parents in less than 5 years. My sister, Sarah, was ready to come back permanently to help me out but I couldn't let her. She's living her dreams, traveling, and becoming a legendary drummer.

I got my job at Cherry Records as a favor, the owner, Jenny, is like a second mother to me but also more of a best friend.  She's a badass single mom of 2 who reminds me of Stevie Nicks. My mom was sick for almost half of my life and anytime she had appointments, hospital stays, which was quite often, my mom and dad dropped me off to her. After my dad passed away, she took me in again like she always did. Cherry Records and Beachwood Canyon became my new home. I wouldn't say I've completely recovered from the loss of my parents, I don't think I ever will be, but the support of Jenny and her kids have been great and working has been a decent distraction. She, her family, and my sister Sarah are probably the only people I trust and really get on with.

I got a call from my sister this morning, she said this guy who she just started working for needs a keys player and back up vocals for a project he's working on. I was stammering for about 5 minutes, unable to give her an answer because I really didn't know. Music was like a dream. I wanted to be like my big sister as a kid but I saw how heartbroken my parents were after she left home. They loved her and loved that she was happy doing what she always wanted to but I was home to see their faces every time she left. I put them first, like I do many times, and went to school near home for business. I had no idea what I was going to do with it but it kept me home. I should've given up the dream a while ago but Jenny never let me. At the shop, she had me listen to the greatest music there is and practice piano, guitar, anything. It's because of her Sarah got so talented. She had a drum set that she took off the market after hearing Sarah play, then the guitar, then the piano for me. I told Sarah I'd think about, to give me the rest of the day until I figured my shit out.

"To follow your life long dreams or stay in the same boring city for the rest of your life working for an old lady, babysit her kids for life, and die alone. I can tell why you're having such trouble deciding" Jenny tells me, stone-faced and unamused.

"Die alone? Ouch." I responded back, completely ignoring everything else.

"Honey, please. You're 24 and have never been in a relationship." She says, walking away from me and going back to organize vinyls.

"Not true! Alex-" I start to protest.

"Alex is your annoying fuck buddy you conveniently met because he works here." She interrupts, still completely serious.

I snort at her straightforwardness. Jenny's always been like this, never one to hold her tongue or opinion. "If he's so annoying why'd you hire him?"

"Needed someone whose willing to work unlike your lazy ass"

"Lazy! It's not my fault you kept the piano and guitar here. They speak to me, Jenny. If I never played them, they'd go lonely." I huff out sarcastically while following her.

She stops abruptly and looks up to me. "That's exactly what I mean Kiwi. You love to play, always have and always will, and your sister is telling you that she has a job open for you and you're thinking about it? You better say yes or I swear on my kids I will fire you and then what will you do!"

Kiwi was a name she got from my sister's attempts to call me Sophie when we were babies and my love for fruits, one being Kiwi, played a part in continuing it. I feigned shock. "Ok, you didn't have to bring Ella or Max into this."