Calliope nodded her head along with the requirements and said, “I’m looking for a job while I look for my real job. I won’t promise that I stay for very long—the job that I really want is supposed to come open in the next six months—but I’ll be a fuckin’ awesome worker in the meantime if you want me to apply.”
My gaze flicked to Searcy, who was watching the entire interaction with her arms crossed over her chest.
She did, however, nod right along with Calliope as she promised that she was a good worker.
“She worked her entire way through high school and college, while also maintaining a part-time status at our family’s diner,” Searcy confirmed.
“Then come by the office tomorrow and we’ll get you situated.” She sighed. “I seem to have a critical opening that needs filled immediately. Eight in the morning sharp, and sucks to say, but we are working overtime through the holidays.”
The boss left, leaving the four of us standing there watching her go.
“You already have a full-time job at that mechanical engineering company in Plano. Why’d you get a job now? You could’ve cruised through the next six months until it started. You have money.”
“Because I don’t like being idle. It gives me too much time to think,” she admitted. “Plus, I’m not touching that money. It can go to my nonexistent kids.”
“Why?” Searcy threw up her hands. “It’s not a bad thing! I gave it to you because I think you deserve it!”
Years ago, when Doc and Searcy had just started out, Searcy had been given a lottery ticket as a tip while she was working at the diner her mother owned. Then she’d forgotten about it for months until one day Anders, Searcy, and Calliope’s little sister had made the connection.
Turns out, she’d won a fuck of a lot of money in the lottery, giving them their first break in their entire lives.
“I don’t deserve anything, and you know it,” she said as she walked to her truck and pulled out her wallet and keys. “Kent, if you want, when you’re done, you can drive my truck home. I have another set of keys in my kitchen drawer. If not, will you make sure to lock up before you head out?”
Kent nodded. “I’ll be eighteen in the spring. Make sure you leave this job on good terms so I can apply. Also, I plan on eating the rest of your cereal before I leave. Make sure you don’t plan on having that for breakfast in the morning.”
The two sisters left without a backward glance, and I was left standing there wishing she’d stayed for just a little bit longer.
I had to get my hit somehow.
If I wasn’t going to pursue her, then I had to get the fix somewhere.
“What’s going on with it now?” I asked, pulling myself together.
Kent groaned. “I tried to work on the carb myself, but clearly I still have no idea what I’m doing.”
Four
So about those murder hornets. Can I send them a list of names? Or what?
—Text from Searcy to Calliope
CALLIOPE
Okay, so working at UPS wasn’t too bad.
I liked it a lot, and even better, I got done faster if I worked faster.
Sure, I wasn’t allowed to speed, but ultimately that was a non-issue. Especially since the only places I refused to allow myself to speed were residential neighborhoods.
And, even better, since the chick was fired off of my route, I got to take over the same route. Meaning, I knew exactly where I was, and how to get to all the places that I needed to deliver to.
I was a day and a half into my shift, and I was already working on my own.
The boss, Lissy, had baptized me trial by fire.
The first day she’d done the route with me.
The second day she’d helped me load my truck, and that was it.
