Chapter 1-3
560 Words
Jesse has never seen it before—day at its innocence, the break of the dawn that offers buoyancy and promises of a better future. Jesse looks up to the sky and inhales, shivering slightly at the chill and the dampness of the air. It amazes him that he could sleep soundly, and he feels grateful to wake up to a beautiful morning. This must be a sign that things are going to go well. He will get awesome tips and a clean, decent room will be waiting for him at the end of the day.
He will be seeing Trey before that.
Jesse smiles and gets up, ready to take on the day.
Jesse walks to the nearest gas station to freshen up. He is dying for a hot shower but he can’t afford one right now. He will just have to make do with splashes of water on his face and he needs to brush his teeth, too.
He has to find a place to crash later on today. He’s trying to remember if there’re rooms nearby, there should be one cheap enough that he can afford to pay but he’s unable to come up with any ideas. He’s had it easy staying with Max for the last couple of years and he’s quite forgotten how hard it is finding a place to stay in this town. And yeah, it has never occurred to him that he might lose it all someday.
Jesse heaves his backpack up his shoulders and leaves the restroom. He glances at the store next to it and considers grabbing a bag of chips, and maybe one of those microwaved sandwiches as well—he’s not totally penniless—but he refrains. Better not waste what little money he has left when he is not completely sure what the day will bring. Ignoring the growl in his stomach, Jesse resolutely turns away.
He walks to the back door of the fast food joint where he works; the front door is still locked at this early hour of the morning. Fishing the key out of his pocket, Jesse starts when the door opens before him.
“Jesse.” It’s Kurt, the storeowner.
“Morning, Kurt.” Jesse backs away a little without really looking at the man. Kurt is early, though it’s not the first time he’s arrived before anyone else. The guy is serious about his business.
Jesse moves to get inside but a hand on his shoulder makes him stop.
“Uh, look.” Kurt shifts a little. Jesse lifts an eyebrow.
“Yeah?”
“Sorry, but you can’t get in. Come to think of it, can I have your key?”
Jesse frowns.
“What’re you saying, boss?”
“Jesse, you’re no longer working here, okay? My nephew came and he needs a job. I have no vacancy so I gave him your spot.”
Jesse can’t believe his ears—his job, his tips, his last chance to get a roof over his head tonight.
“You’ve gotta be kidding.”
“I’m not. Sorry, man.”
“How about my paycheck?”
“What paycheck? I gave it to you two days ago.”
“I meant for the last two days.”
“Sorry, you haven’t worked for one full week. Read your contract again.”
What? This sucks out loud. Jesse leans forward.
“Come on, man, you can’t do this. I can work for half the pay. Or at least—let me finish the week.”
Kurt won’t budge. He only shakes his head and suddenly Jesse notices the two men standing behind his former boss.
“No, Jesse. Please don’t make it harder on yourself. Leave now or I’ll have to ask Harry and Ben to remove you.”
Jesse knows Harry and Ben, and they know him. They’re good friends. They won’t hurt him.
- Writer
