This is the last part in my three-part Relentless series – a snapshot of a teen’s daily life.
Emma witnesses Dad’s vulnerable moment and comes to understand one of the reasons why he was being such a jerk. I loved fleshing out the character of Emma through this series. My imagination takes me on a journey of how her life carries forward from now on.
Will trouble find her as Matt and her relationship grows into something neither can control? What’s up with Mom, betraying a trust in front of Dad like that?
Maybe you as the reader will never know. Or maybe – just maybe – I should turn this into a novella or novel. What do you think? I appreciate your comments.
Relentless - Part 3
I try not to look at my watch again and get busy sorting through the ladies’ clothing discount bin. Chris, the store manager, is on the floor monitoring everything. He’s a great guy, but those beautiful blues of his see everything that goes on. I think of my boyfriend, Matt. His eyes are close to the same light blue colour. Giddiness floats through me at the thought of seeing him after work tonight when he picks me up. Ever since I took this job, I’ve been too busy on the weekends to see Matt, and him too busy with track.
It'd be nice if we went to the same school.
My brother Evan warned me that working would eat up my free time, but the pay I’ve earned since I started is sitting in my wallet, and it feels great to have money to spend as I like. Even Dad’s anger has cooled since I got the job.
Thank God!
Although there’s still anger simmering inside Dad. I sure wish I knew what his problem was. It could have something to do with Matt. I don’t think Dad likes him.
Overhead an announcement blares, ‘THE STORE IS NOW CLOSING.’ I’ve been waiting to hear these sweet words since starting my 5:00 shift. I hurry and fold the last few shorts and matching tops. The bin looks tidy—ready for tomorrow’s shoppers. At the lockers, I tug off my vest and pull the name tag from around my neck, stuffing it on the shelf before grabbing my jacket and backpack.
“Great work Emma. We’ll see you tomorrow.” Chris nods as he holds the back door open. He flashes me a grin when he sees Matt’s truck idling in the closest parking stall. “Have a fun night.”
“Sure will.” My cheeks grow hot as I budge by my boss.
I open the truck door and hoist myself into the passenger seat. Matt’s arm circles the back of my neck, and he pulls me close. His lips find mine with a kiss that deepens and lingers until I put my hand on his chest, pushing away. I glance at the back door of the store. My shoulders relax when I see it’s closed. Matt’s always exuberant to see me. I let him kiss me even when everyone’s looking, but it feels different doing it in front of Chris. Dad too. Especially when I see him peering out of the window waiting for our long goodnight kiss to end.
“Hey you.” Matt’s lips descend once more.
I snuggle in close, letting our kiss lengthen, loving the smell of Matt’s cheek, musk mixed with his familiar soapy scent. His hands explore my body, but when they become too insistent, I break away, facing the windshield.
“What should we do?” Matt says as he shifts the truck into reverse and backs out.
“Dunno, but I can’t get home late—work tomorrow.”
“I know.” His disappointment floats across the dash. “Okay,” he sighs. “How about we buy some munchies? Then go to the Hill for a bit.” Matt presses on the gas, driving onto the major thoroughfare in front of the mall.
“Sure.” I picture the wooded park, a popular hangout for high school teens that overlooks downtown. Parties usually break out when older guys bring cases of beer. The police won’t be around this early, though. I’ve never been at the Hill after midnight when the crowds get busted up, and everyone’s told to go home.
Matt pulls into a gas station, and I jump down out of the truck. We walk hand in hand into the store. He grabs two bags of chips and a couple of diet sodas, and we wait behind a customer at the till.
I press a twenty in his hand while eyeing the smokes behind the counter. “Buy me a pack of those,” I whisper in his ear, and point to the red and white pack.
“You want cigarettes?” asks Matt.
When I hear the criticism in his question, I clench my jaw and purse my lips. Sometimes when we have a spare class, my friend Beth shares a cigarette with me out in the school parking lot.
What’s the big deal?
“Yeah, I might have one. I’ll give the rest to Beth on Monday. It’s not like I’m hooked on them.”
In the truck, Matt hands me the smokes and change.
I pocket them with a quick thanks.
“Just don’t make a habit of it.” He palms my knee and leans over to kiss me on the cheek.
I ignore the comment, rolling my eyes skyward.
At the Hill, Matt grabs a blanket from behind his seat and lays it out in the truck’s bed. We sit on the tailgate, munching on the chips and gulping back the sodas. After, we end up on our backs watching the night sky. The light of the city hides the stars, but the odd one shines bright enough to twinkle.
Matt leans up on his elbow and stares at my face while twisting one of my long curls around his finger.
“You have such soft hair,” his murmur disappears against my lips as his hand cups my face.
I become lost in the moment, my heart and breath working in opposite directions as I attempt to control the urge that overwhelms me. All rational thought vanishes as his hand flattens against my neck and begins a slow crawl toward my chest.
“No,” I moan, not sure if I mean it.
When Matt’s warm fingertips brush the edge of my breast just inside my blouse, my eyes pop open and I shove him away.
“I need to go home.”
“Now?” he asks.
“Yeah, now. It’s getting late.”
Matt jumps off the tailgate. He grabs my hand and helps me down, pulling me into his arms, his lips searching for my mouth yet again.
“No. Take me home.” I twist away, reaching for the bottles of soda.
He grabs the other stuff and grumbles something as he slams the tailgate and opens the driver’s side door. He shoves the blanket and chip bags behind the back seat.
The ride home is quiet, and I wonder what’s upset him.
When the truck parks in front of my house, I give him a quick peck on the cheek. “Pick me up tomorrow?”
“Yeah. Sure.” He nods.
I close the door and wait as Matt rounds the corner two doors down, his truck’s motor fighting to be heard over the base of his rap music.
Once inside, I hang up my jacket on the hook next to Dad’s coat and step into the kitchen.
Mom looks up from the newspaper. “Hi Emma-girl, how was work?”
“Good. I got my first pay cheque today.” My voice echoes excitement about earning money.
Dad walks in from the living room and dumps a plate into the sink. “It’s a good feeling, isn’t it? Making your own money.”
“Sure is.” My nose sniffs inside the fridge, looking for something good to eat.
“There’s leftover macaroni and cheese. Evan will be home soon. Best grab it while you can.” Mom grins as she gets up. At the sink, she reaches under it and wraps up the garbage.
I yawn and nod my agreement. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice her slip on my jacket and go outside to dump the trash.
“I’m glad you’re making money now. Takes part of the burden away.” Dad checks out his sock feet. “I sure wish we could get you kids the things you want. Then you wouldn’t have to work now.”
I pause at the microwave, afraid to look at Dad. It’s like he’s making some kind of confession—being all vulnerable-like.
“But everyone needs to do their part. Especially now.”
“What do you mean … now?” I jab at the timer buttons and start the microwave before turning to face him.
“My company’s going into receivership. They’re likely to lay me off in a matter of days.” He pats me on the shoulder. “But it’s not your concern. Be good at your job. That’s all I ask.”
“Sure Dad. No problem.” I pull the hot plate out of the microwave and set it down to grab a fork.
Mom comes into the kitchen and pierces me with a frown that sets my heart thumping extra hard.
“I was looking for a tissue and found these.” She drops the pack of smokes next to my plate.
What the … digging in my pockets?
My heart plummets and I know that even if I tell them I’m going to give them to Beth, they won’t believe me.
“Are these yours?”
My head floats up and down.
Dad curses. “Emma, if you can buy cigarettes, you can damn well pay rent. Or quit. Your choice.” His lip curls up as he fires me a look that makes me feel his disgust before he goes back into the living room.
I grab my backpack. Who knows what my mother will go through next? I reach for the smokes, thinking I should’ve put them in there earlier. Gripping my plate of food, I shove by Mom firing her a glare. I stomp on the stairs up to my bedroom.
A bite of mac and cheese sits like a lump on my tongue. I set the plate on my desk and wait for Evan to come home.
He’ll be interested in hearing about what Mom did, that’s for sure.
I think of earlier about how Dad tried to be open and honest with me. It might explain why he was such a jerk when making me get a job. All he had to do was tell me and Evan the situation. We’d understand.
Now Mom’s ruined my life.
I pull out my pay envelope filled with cash and count out the bills with a sense of pride I haven’t felt for a while. Not even with the B+ that I got on my bio assignment. Dad figured I should’ve done better.
Maybe I could’ve.
I recognize Mom’s footfalls as she comes up the stairs.
Dad’s ultimatum swims in my head. I split the amount of bills in my hand in half and rush into the hall, stopping Mom before she goes into her room.
“Hope this helps,” I say a little too snarky as I hand over the cash, but I don’t care.
Mom drops her head to her chest and rubs her forehead before looking up. Her eyes fill with regret. “Emma….”
“No, Mom.” My eyes squeeze shut for a second. I hold my palms flat out in front of me. “I don’t want to talk about it.” My index fingers point at her. “You had a choice. You could’ve just left them there.”
“Next time, leave my stuff alone,” I say over my shoulder as I enter my room. Ready to slam the door with all my might, but unable to face more of Dad’s wrath, I somehow restrain myself and let the door click shut instead.
Life effing sucks, I scream to myself as my head bangs against the door.
the end…