Gunner’s Story…
Gunner stared out the window of the bus, wondering if he was doing the right thing. His little sister stared after him and he could tell that she was trying to be strong.
He should leave. He should get off the bus and just find a job in LowPoint. Surely something would come up. He didn’t need to join the Navy just to get a job. There had to be an alternative.
Their parents had died a few years ago and he’d stayed to make sure she got through high school. But Daisy had graduated from high school last month and had a job now. It wasn’t a great job, but she had a place to live and money to buy food. As soon as he got his first paycheck from the Navy, he’d send more back to help her out.
Taking his hand off of the back of the seat, he reminded himself of all of the jobs he’d applied for, but he was too big and too intimidating. As soon as he walked into a place, everyone thought he was a drug dealer or an enforcer for the mafia. Gunner scoffed, shaking his head in disgust. As if he’d ever do something like that!
No, the Navy was a good option. As soon as he got settled somewhere, he’d send for Daisy and get her out of LowPoint.
The bus was just about to head around the corner when he looked back at his sister and…there was another woman walking towards the diner. She was tall and thin and had the best pair of legs he’d ever seen in his life! Damn, she was gorgeous! His sister would call her willowy, but Gunner just thought she was hot. He leaned forward, wanting yet another look.
She was talking to Daisy. Was this new woman a friend? No, surely not. He knew all of Daisy’s friends and he definitely would have noticed this woman!
Even so, he craned his neck, trying to see her again. He watched until the bus turned the corner and she was out of sight.
Ivy’s Story…
“What’s wrong?” Daisy asked, coming up beside Ivy. Ivy was what most people would call “willowy” but in Daisy’s mind, she was just a gorgeous woman, both inside and out. So seeing her friend looking sad made Daisy’s heart ache.
The snow fluttered around them and the wind seemed to get colder by the minute. But Ivy looked miserable when she’d been so excited the day before.
“He’s gone,” Ivy replied, angrily wiping the tear away.
“Who is?”
Ivy shrugged and turned away, taking a deep breath before walking into Janice’s diner to start her shift as a waitress. “My sorta boyfriend.”
Daisy turned and put a hand on Ivy’s arm, stopping her from going inside. “Hey, what’s wrong?”
Ivy angrily wiped the tear away, irritated that she was even crying over the guy. “I told him that I loved him last night.”
Daisy blinked. “I didn’t think things were that serious between the two of you.”
Ivy shrugged and looked away, not really focused on anything in particular, just trying to avoid looking into her friend’s eyes. “We weren’t. But…well, I wanted to think we could get there.”
Daisy moved closer. “Honey, you’ve been spending all of your tip money on buying him food, which is why you’ve taken so many double shifts lately, isn’t it?”
Ivy shrugged, but Daisy wasn’t relenting.
“Honey, do you have enough money for rent this month?”
Once again, Ivy looked away, struggling to hide her humiliation at being so gullible. “I would if Janice would stop docking my pay for trumped up reasons.”
“Or stealing your tip money,” Daisy grumbled. She pulled out her wallet. “Here,” she said and handed her two twenties.
Ivy quickly shook her head. “I can’t take your money.”
“It isn’t my money. It’s my brother’s money. He just sent me some extra cash.”
Ivy laughed. She might not like the guy very much, but he was sweet to take care of his sister. “I’m still not taking the money.”
Daisy’s grin widened. “Look, I know how much Gunner teases you and that you go out of your way to avoid him. I’m guessing that you’re not a big fan of my brother.”
“He loves you very much.”
“Yes, he does,” Daisy replied. “But you can’t stand him. So here, take the money,” she urged, pushing the money into Ivy’s pocket. “Think of it as spending my brother’s money on your boyfriend’s food. That will just irritate him and you’ll come out the winner.”
Ivy laughed, but the sound turned into a sob and Daisy quickly enveloped her friend in a gentle hug. “I didn’t even like him all that much! Why am I so upset that he’s gone?”
“Because your parents just passed away and you feel alone. I know because I’ve been there. Losing parents is…devastating.” Daisy’s arms tightened around Ivy’s slender shoulders. “But you’re not alone. I’m here and we’re going to get through this together.”
Ivy leaned into the hug, needing this right now. “Fine. I’ll take your brother’s money. But I’m paying you back. And you can’t tell him that you gave me the money, okay?”
“Fine. It will be our secret.”
