Page 16 of Quiet Chaos

About a halfway walk, I notice a “Help Wanted” sign in a window of the Charter House. I enter the restaurant while Armstrong makes himself comfortable outside the door. A young woman is at the front desk. I explain why I’m there, and she asks me to wait. She returns, followed by an older man with a furry face. He introduces himself as Chester, the owner, ushering me over to a table.

“Missy tells me you’re looking for a job. Have you worked in a restaurant before?” Chester’s nose leaks into his mustache. He takes out a handkerchief, blowing into it.

“Um, I worked at a diner in Salt Lake City.”

“Ah, okay. What was your job at the diner?”

“Waitress. The diner had a busy lunch crowd.”

Again, his nose drips. “Are you okay, Mr. Chester?”

My question surprises him. “Yes…what was your name again?”

“Sky.”

“I’m fine, Sky, thanks for asking. Cold season is upon us.”

He eyes me and then asks for a resume. “I’m sorry, Mr. Chester, but I don’t have one. I can contact my old boss, Ms. Babs, so you can talk to her.”

“Chester is fine. That sounds fair. When would you be able to start?”

“As soon as possible.”

“Good. You’re eager to work. Have your old boss contact me.” He writes his name and number on a sheet of paper. “If all goes well, I’ll call you and—”

“I’m sorry, Mr. Chester, but I don’t have a phone.”

“If you work for me, how am I going to get a hold of you?”

I fiddle with my fingers. He’s right. When I worked for Ms. Babs, it wasn’t a problem because she would call Ms. Adeline. Oh, Ms. Adeline. I wonder how she’s doing. Did she ever get out of the rehabilitation center? Did she lose her home?

Mr. Chester stands, catching my attention. “I’m sorry, but if I can’t contact you, I won’t be able to hire you.” He turns to walk away.

“Please, Mr. Chester. I really need this job.”

He stops, sighs, and shakes his head. “Fine, fine. Have your old boss call me and come by in a couple of days. We’ll work something out.”

I am so happy that I treat Armstrong and I to some ice cream from the money Cade left me. Ice cream isn’t the reason he gave me the money, so I feel a little guilty. We walk around the town until I find an unoccupied bench by the lake. I sit, petting Armstrong while he periodically jumps up to chase after a bird. We walk along Bear Lake Blvd and pass a town clock, showing that it’s five already. With Armstrong at my side, I pick up speed, not realizing it was so late. Coming toward us, I hear a motorcycle and recognize Cade. He pulls over and shuts off the engine.

“What the hell, Sky?”

I take a step back. “Sorry. I lost track of time.”

“No note! I get home to find you and Armstrong gone.”

Tears bubble up. He’s right, I didn’t even let him know we were going out. Cade is mad, and it’s my fault. I wanted tosurprise him when I got a job. He runs his hands through his hair, letting out a sharp breath.

“I came here looking for a job. Armstrong wouldn’t go back in the house. He walked me here.”

Cade scowls at Armstrong, who moves behind me. “He walked with you?”

I eagerly nod. His eyebrows shoot up as his eyes widen.

He revs the engine, knocks the kickstand up, and before leaving, says, “Ten minutes.”

I let out a long breath. My hand rubs the top of Armstrong’s head. We walk faster so we can make it back in ten minutes.

8

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