Chapter 3
“How old are you, kid?” the man behind the counter asked.
Derek lied, maybe. He wasn’t sure. “Sixteen-and-a-half.”
“Ever worked before?”
“No, sir, but I think I could flip burgers without messing up.”
The man c****d an eyebrow then chuckled. “Probably. Your folks know you’re looking for a job?”
Derek stared down at his shoes. “My folks are dead,” he whispered.
“s**t, sorry. What about whoever you’ve been staying with?”
Still looking down, Derek whispered. “I haven’t been. I…it was a car accident and…and…never mind. Sorry I bothered you.” He turned to leave.
“Hang on, kid. What did you say your name was?”
“Derek. Derek White.” He chose the first surname he could think of, the White’s, since he knew that with no last name, no one would even think of hiring him and he need
