Chapter 6
His interview started in forty minutes, and Chase willed the noodles to cook faster in the pan. Maybe he shouldn’t go. He didn’t want to work nights, even if it meant more pay.
Something crashed in the living room, and he dropped the fork in his hand and dashed out of the kitchen to see what was broken.
“I didn’t do it,” Tyler automatically spouted when he saw Chase. At Tyler’s feet, shattered pieces of a former ceramic mug littered the wood floor.
Chase looked from the foam baseball bat that had been tossed off to the side, to the coffee table where the mug used to be sitting. It didn’t take a lot of detective work to figure this one out.
“Where are your sisters?”
Tyler shrugged and bent down, picking up the biggest cup shard.
“I’ll take care of this. Go wash your hands and set the table for me.”
Chase retrieved the broom and dustpan and took care of the mess, growing madder by the minute that Gabby and Beth couldn’t even bother to investigate. It was like Tyler was raising himself around here.
He stalked down the hall and was about to bang on Beth’s door, but noticed at the last second that it was slightly ajar.
Inside, the two girls giggled quietly.
“It’s not going to torture you. This is called an eyelash curler, Gabby. It makes your eyelashes look longer, and you can use it, even if you’re not allowed to wear mascara yet. You’ll look less tired. That’s what Mom used to say. It made her look like she’d already had her morning coffee.”
All the anger drained from Chase, leaving only an ache that sat like a rock right below his sternum. These girls were growing up without a mother’s influence. All they had left were the memories, and each other. He thought about his parents constantly, but sometimes he forgot that Beth and Gabby probably did too.
He gently knocked to let them know he was there. “Mac and cheese is almost ready. I’ll leave it on the stove. Will you girls make sure and get Tyler to bed on time?”
They nodded, looking him over.
“Come here and let me fix your hair again,” Beth said.
“I have to check the noodles.”
“It’ll just take a second. You’ve got to stop combing it down like that. I thought I showed you this morning.” She practically shoved him to his knees in front of her propped up mirror and rubbed more gel in his hair.
It looked like she was messing it all up, but he had to admit, the end result was much better than what he’d tried to do a few minutes ago. “Thank you, Beth.”
She met his eyes in the mirror. Today, she had gold eyeliner that made her look like an Egyptian statue come to life. “Did anyone notice your new look today, Chase?”
“Like your boss?” Gabby asked.
“Ew, no. Not Mr. Davidson.” Beth made a face. “Did any girls notice?”
“All right, I’m checking the noodles.” Chase was not about to discuss this with his sisters. He got up, ignoring their protests, and went to the kitchen to finish preparing dinner. Store-brand boxed mac and cheese. The dinner of champions.
He added the cheese powder, butter, and milk, and then left as the other three were sitting down to eat.
Before he’d even reached the interview location, Chase had completely talked himself out of taking the job. Working as a night watchman would be isolating. A lot of sitting at night, ample time to think about his life or lack of it. He’d have to sleep during the day. The only thing that kept him driving and parking in front of the building was the chance to practice his interviewing skills.
He took in his resume and waited in the proffered plastic chair next to the other applicants. Instead of going over possible interview questions, his mind turned to how much he’d messed up with Ashley. She had no idea he was the one leaving little presents on her desk. And now everyone knew he’d broken up with his girlfriend. One he didn’t have. How was he supposed to tell Ashley the truth now? Could he have screwed this up worse? Things had turned so awkward after Yolanda’s invitation. Her knowing smile when she mentioned getting Ashley to go. Yolanda might as well have announced his unrequited feelings for her. Ashley didn’t need that kind of pressure from someone she relied on as a friend.
The interview went okay. The guy seemed really interested in him until Chase explained he was the sole guardian of three children. He could see it in the man’s eyes: the worry that Chase would have to stay home with sick kids, that he would be expensive to insure. Healthy twenty-something guys were supposed to bring down the cost of health insurance plans. But Chase would be bringing along three dependents. It was something to think about in future interviews. He hated the thought of how many more of these he’d need to do to land a job.
***
Ashley twirled the yellow highlighter left on her desk. Attached to it was a strip of white paper almost like a little white flag with the words:kindness, beauty, intelligence.
She tucked it into her desk drawer where she could occasionally look at it. Work felt lighter and easier with those three little words from him in her head. Could this person actually exist? Someone sincere and not just toying with her? Getting her hopes up too much would only lead to disappointment, but it didn’t keep her thoughts from wondering about it.
