Page 10 of Little Sparrow

Workisslowthisafternoon, the lunch rush is over and we can finally take a breath. I have time to gossip with my bestie, Jenny. We have known each other since primary school and we tell each other everything. Well, she doesn’t know about my dreams. I want to tell her but it feels dangerous to reveal something this big, especially when I don’t understand it myself, but I do need a friend to talk to. We both lean against the counter, watching the doors in case customers do come, Roger won’t mind us talking if it’s not busy. I haven’t been able to see Jenny much outside of work, so we get away with talking here. We hadn’t spoken much since the accident, she was worried when I walked in today since I only took a couple of days off to ‘heal’ but since I don’t have a mark on me, I was welcome to come in for work, she has kept watch of me all morning though. It’s sweet she is being protective.

“You have been different the last few days, it’s not just the car accident either. Do you want to talk about it?” She asks me while raising her perfectly plucked eyebrow. I fiddle with my apron, thinking of what to say to her. “Well, I met this guy-” I start to say, she gasps and turns to me, mouth wide open. I giggle because she’s not easily shocked and I never talk about guys, not in any type of interested way.

“What? When? How?” She asks in one long breath, I take a moment to think about how to answer, a way to not give up my secret. I purse my lips before answering, “Well, we met online.” It’s the best I can do in this situation, she wouldn’t believe me about the dreams even if I could tell her. He’d be a made-up man, and she would tell me I need to get out more like she usually does.

“Online? Oh no, you need to be careful, Rose. You get creeps on there trying to chat you up and then murder you. Do you not watch crime documentaries?” I laugh at her protectiveness, “It’s okay. Honestly, I don’t think we will meet. He lives too far away and, well, you know my dad,” I shrug and wave my hand around because she does know my dad and how he wouldn’t let another man near me. I imagine he would have a stroke if I told him there was a guy.

“You like him, though?” She says while grasping my hand that still is clutching onto my apron like I’m holding on to my sanity. The scent of sweet apple pie comes from inside the kitchen as the door opens slightly, and Roger pops his head in. He has been checking in on me, too, making sure I don’t strain myself. “You girls want me to save you a slice of pie?” He asks while staring at me. I love getting free food and can never deny him. I have a feeling he has made this one, especially for me. Being in the hospital for a bit can get you your favourite dish made here. My belly rumbles, and Roger smiles. “That’s a yes, then!” Then he disappears back through the door. He treats everyone here like family, and I’m glad to be part of it.

“Yeah, I do. Things are not simple with us. I want to meet him. I was thinking of inviting him here. Sounds crazy.” I shake my head and sigh. It’s early days, but we get along well. I can’t imagine any way he would hurt me. He has only ever cared.

“No, not too crazy, I guess if you have known each other for a while. Have you told him your address or anything?” She asks again, I know she’s looking out for me, but I don’t want to be suffocated like my dad does to me. I want a first kiss, a first date, first everything.

She has told me all about hers, and I wish I had at least had a chance. That party was the closest chance I had, but I didn’t want anyone there. If I’m honest with myself, just a night of drinking and dancing with my friends was enough, I’ll treasure those moments. I just know waiting for the right person will be worth it.

“No, I only told him that I’m in London. He doesn’t know my last name either.” I raise my chin; they can’t keep treating me like a child. They have my best interests at heart, but sometimes I just need to be a little reckless to live and experience things, like any other normal girl.

“That’s smart. He can’t stalk you, then. What’s his online name? I'll do some digging. I’m good like that.” She winks at me with a smile. Jenny could work as a hacker for the FBI with her skills of finding out everything about a person online by just their name. But I can’t have her digging, and she will know I’m lying about everything and ask too many questions I can’t answer yet.

“We’ve only spoken a couple of times. I’ll let you know if anything else happens. Then you can dig for me.” Her face lowers a fraction, I can tell she doesn’t want me to notice when she forces a laugh. She is protective, “Okay, I’m here anytime, but for now, I need details.” I feel my cheeks heat just thinking about him.

“It’s his eyes that caught my attention first; they are dark, which feels like I’m looking deep into his soul; a tortured one, muscles that look like he could throw me over his shoulder like a caveman and his Italian. I love his accent. Oh, he has a tattoo, a full sleeve. There was a skull and a snake, I didn’t really get a full look at it. I’ll try next time.” Jenny swoons at my terrible description, “Damn girl, does he have a brother? Wait, I thought you were talking online?”

“Facetime, we facetime sometimes.” I swallow around my lie and hope she doesn’t notice. I can’t wait to dream later and see him. I’ve never wanted to sleep so much in my life. Something between us shifted last night, it did for me, anyway.

The bell above the door rings again, letting us know we have a new customer. Jenny looks over my shoulder and frowns.

“Speaking of which, that guy who just came in, he has been here a handful of times this last couple of weeks, he orders a milkshake and sits there like he’s waiting for someone and when they don’t show, he leaves, always in your section. Everything he orders is untouched. Maybe he’s the guy you’re talking to?”

I got to turn to see him but she grabs my shoulder, her eyes wide as she stares at me, “Don’t look, you’ll make it obvious.”

I roll my eyes with a small smile and walk around the milkshake bar, tilting my head forward and looking through my eyelashes to subtly take a look and his staring right back at me, but it doesn’t feel creepy, I recognise him from somewhere. Not being able to stop myself, I walk toward him. He stands abruptly, shakes his head at me as though he wants me to stop and walks away.

“That’s weird,” I say as I turn back to Jenny. She frowns and watches him leave too. “He isn’t Dante, I have no idea who that is.” I shrug, still watching the door he left through.

“He’s hot but creepy and obviously more interested in you.” Jenny laughs, waving her hand toward the door he just left through.

“Stop it, he's old enough to be my dad,” I laugh with her. The little bell chimes again as a group walks in.

“If you reject him in person, make sure to give him my number instead, I’d like to call him daddy.” She wiggles her eyebrows.

“You’re gross,” I laugh and roll my eyes.

“Hey! Don’t kink shame me,” She whispers loudly with a pout as I step away from her to greet the new customers.

“I’m not shaming you, it’s just not my thing,” I call back with a smile, hoping the new customers didn’t hear us, my face heats as I get closer to them. Luckily they don’t seem like they heard. I give them their menus and take them to our best booth with my friendliest smile.

Chapter seven

Dante

Travelling through Italy

FinallyIfoundamotel to stay in, cash only just like I need to stay hidden. It’s perfect for resting before driving again. I switched over to a smaller car, a red fiat punto. My father won’t be looking for a car that doesn’t scream lots of money. He wants us to stay looking like we are worth. Show off our wealth.

So I picked the most common car I see on my drive. It’s not as fast, but it will get me going for the rest of my next journey, I already filled her up at the last petrol station. My old car; I had to push into a lake, hopefully if it’s found then it will give me some extra time to not be caught.

When I walk into the motel room after receiving the key and giving a fake name, I dump my bag onto the bed and look around my home for tonight. I close the beige curtains and place my gun on the desk. My mind wanders to Rose, will I see her tonight? I want to see what else she can do with her power. I’ve not heard of anything like her, could she be a witch?

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