Weighing the options between pulling over and asking if they needed help, and the commonsense safety that is instilled in every young woman, Caitlin crept forward with her car. With her doors locked, she slowly rolled down the passenger window to get a better look.
The figure looked oddly familiar, and as she leaned forward to get a better view of the soaked female struggling with the back end of the truck, she sighed in relief.
“Sophie!” Caitlin called through the downpour as Sophie continued to struggle with the door of the delivery truck. “Sophie!” Caitlin called again, and Sophie's blonde hair whipped around her face that was streaked with eyeliner from the rain.
Shutting off her car, Caitlin yanked her coat over her head in a futile attempt to keep dry, and splashed through the puddles, soaking her socks.
“What the hell Sophie? What the hell are you doing out here?” Caitlin called over the wind.
“Nothing,” Sophie said she wiped the rain from her eyes, “What are you doing out here?”
A halfhearted laugh escaped through Caitlin's lips as she took a step closer, surveying her friend, “It doesn't look like nothing, Sophie. Don’t tell me you're breaking into a broken-down box truck.”
“What?” Sophie gasped in surprise. “No, of course not, I would never!” she sputtered, to Caitlin's amusement.
“Okay, then just tell me,” Caitlin said as she side stepped around the truck, looking for brand names, or other words that would signify a company or merchandise.
“I'm just helping my dad out,” Sophie said, her voice careful as she stared at Caitlin’s face. “You shouldn't be out here, Cait, you’ll catch your own death,” she said, and pulled out her phone, dialing rapidly.
“Who are you calling?” Caitlin asked.
Sophie didn’t answer, merely held the phone to her ear, and a low voice answered after the first ring.
“Hey there, seems to be trouble with the box truck. It's died on me. I have secured the lock. I'll need you to send the boys over to help,” Sophie said, giving a wary glance to Caitlin whose curiosity only burned brighter within her. “Alright, thanks. See you soon. Bye.” She hung up the phone and slid it back into her damp jeans.
“Your father has you out delivering this late?” Caitlin questioned.
“Oh, yes, all the boys are busy, and I was already out and about.” She gestured down the road where the Kelly family restaurant sat empty.
“I suppose that's true,” Caitlin said, reminded of the many businesses the Kellys owned and operated. “What's so important that you had to stand in the rain to protect it?”
“Nothing, just inventory,” Sophie said, looking away from Caitlin's piercing gaze and up toward the rolling clouds above them.
A bolt of lightning flashed, illuminating Sophie's delicate face. Caitlin couldn’t help but notice the stress lines marring the lovely face, and Sophie's telltale signs of anxiety - she’d been biting her lips again.
“Well, I guess I'll stay out here and wait with you then,” Caitlin said, wrapping her arms tightly around herself and fighting the urge to shiver from the cold.
“Don't be ridiculous,” Sophie said. “I'll get in the truck cab and I'll wait. I'll see you tomorrow.”
“Yeah, no.” Caitlin shook her head. “What kind of friend would I be if I left you out here like this?”
“A smart one,” Sophie said before she could stop herself. Caitlin took a step forward and held Sophie’s trembling hand in hers.
“What's going on Soph?” Caitlin asked as another bolt of lightning split the sky, and Sophie's colorless cheeks glowed. “Come on Sophie. You can tell me, I’m your best friend and we’ve been through so much together.”
“I can't,” Sophie whispered, barely audible over the rushing wind. “And you need to leave.”
“No, I won't leave you out here like this,” Caitlin argued, appalled at the idea. “Was that really your father on the phone? I don't think he’d want me to leave you either.”
“I'll be fine. I promise.”
“What's in the truck Sophie?” Caitlin pressed. Sophie began to gnaw on her lower lip and looked anxiously around her.
“It's just inventory for Dad. Just work related,” she said with a quick nod, and shivered in the rain.
“Your dad,” Caitlin scoffed, “My dad. What is it with them? I don't like that these men decide how I run my business, or how you run yours. Do you?” Caitlin asked.
Sophie's teeth chattered and her denim jacket clung to her narrow shoulders, “We stick by family, Caitlin. Even when they do things you don't agree with.”
