Page 12 of Mika's Heart

Chapter 3

Mika

I’m not ready to give tattoos yet but Arin doesn’t think it will be long. She says I have a gift.

I spend my shifts working the counter and keeping the shop clean for now.

When I’m not busy she has a case of oranges and grapefruits for me to practice using the tattoo guns.

Friday is my first payday, but that's still several days away.

The first thing I’m going to do when Arin gives me my earnings is get a hot meal.

I’m dreaming of a big juicy cheeseburger with everything on it, with a giant plate of french fries drowning in ketchup, when pounding at my door suddenly wakes me.

Wiping the drool off my face I stumble to the door and open it.

It takes me a minute to see who’s there, but my heart stops when I realize it is the hotel manager.

“I’m sorry but I’ve already let you stay an extra week. You need to turn in your room key and vacate the premises today.” She tells me.

Barely holding back tears, I make sure to thank her for the time she gave me, before closing the door to pack my bags.

When I get downstairs to the reception desk, the manager is there waiting for me.

She doesn’t know my situation but she knows I don’t have anywhere to go.

Handing her the key I have no intention of saying anything but when I turn to walk out she stops me.

“Mika, I have something for you.” She comes around the counter with a duffle bag in her hand.

“It’s not much but here.” giving me the bag. “There are some cans of stew and a sleeping bag. I’m sorry I can’t do more but the owner is doing an audit and if he finds out you’re still here I’ll lose my job.”

“Thank you Carol, for everything.” I manage to say it without crying.

I know from previous talks that Carol belongs to a native tribe and most of her earnings go to support her family.

She even asked her family if she could offer me a place but they firmly said no. I’m grateful that she tried though.

Heading towards the shop since I have no place else to go, I’m joined by a scraggly dog.

I have no idea who the pup belongs to but for the last two weeks he has walked to work with me.

Some nights he is even at the shop when we close and walks me back to the hotel.

At first I ignored him but after I realized he wasn’t going to hurt me, I started calling him Comet.

He's my only companion for the mile long walk. I can’t tell what color his fur is because he is so dirty but he has mesmerizing blue eyes. Comet makes me feel safe.

Arriving at the shop, Arin has the front door blocked open and she’s struggling to carry a large box inside.

Dropping my bags I jump in to help her even though it’s too early for my shift.

“Thanks.” Arin calls out. “We got new ink in today and I wanted to get it set up before we open.”

Collecting my bags and closing the door so nobody wanders in early I tuck them out of sight in a storage closet.

When I turn around I jump because Arin is right behind me.

---