Dreamcatchers chapter 1 revised
I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to let you go. "Those words struck me like an electric fly swatter. I had no idea it was coming. Unable to pay attention, i stared at the cracks in the floor. there were so many of them, propably from earthquakes. I caught a few words, something about cutbacks and lossing money. I didnt catch most of what he said, so i just nodded, looking p at the big boss, not quite prossceing it all. I watched as the huge man, in his fancy shmansy pin suit, his gold cuff links with a matching tie pin, pinned to a tie that was much to short for the huge belly he had, lumbered away, the thick stench of his Cuban cigars still in my nostrils. I felt someone nudge me, shaking me out of my state of shock. I looked over and saw Simon, giving me a slightly pitiful look, as if to say 'what can you do?' "I never liked this place anyway. Always some ones assistant, never a real worker." I muttered more to my self then anyone in particular as I grabbed the few things off my desk that I actually cared about. I took a final glace around the office, noticing that work resumed with out even a second thought about me. I wasn't the Co worker that was just fired, I was now nothing more then a person in the way of thier work. I lifted up my small box and walked out of the big corporate world, one that I never was a big part of any way. My biggest job there? Getting coffee for the higher ups. I guess there is a silver lining. I no longer have to be stuck in a job I hate, meeting the demands of every person in the office, trying to please then like a puppy with a bone. Within minutes I was at my car. I slid into the beat up, faded, brown, crapy Honda, and as I sank into the leather seat, the fabric peeling away from itself, and I realized just how much trouble I was in. I might have hated that job, but I needed it to support myself, as well as my little brother, the only thing worth anything in my life. Pulling down the sun visor, I look at the picture of us, taken six years ago when I was just 18 and he was 7. We were at the beach, him on my shoulders, our parents standing on either side of us smiling. 2 months later, they were killed. I never looked at the crime scene photos, but the Police said it was a mugging gone wrong. There was just enough money from the life insurance policy, as well as the things we were able to sell off to keep us afloat and to buy a small one bedroom house untill i found myself a job to support us. Which I had just Lost. Dam. I realized in that moment, as I stared at the last happy picture of my once complete family, that I had no idea what I was going to do. How was I going to feed Ryan? That's when I lost it. For a good hour, I sat in my car, holding the picture of my family close to me, tears falling down my face, trying, but failing to find a solution to how I was going to explain to Ryan how our lives had gotten worse. It broke my heart. I looked down at the clock, drying my eyes, noticong i still had some time before i had to get Ryan. maybe Simone, our next door neighboor, knows of a job opening. Picking up my phone, i type in the number, but hesitate before hitting the call button. A small twinge of irratuional fear shot up through my body. I knew Simone wouldn't judge mw, but a small part of me couldnt help but feel like she would be dissapointed in me. Simone has been like an aunt of sorts, a young single parent herself, the 27 year old women has helped me so much with everything. Shaking these thoughts out of my head, i hit the call button and listen as it rings once. Twice. A third time. And one the forth time i hear a bright voice on the other end."Sam! its so-hold on one second...Jake I swear if you dont start behaving im going to put you down!"More hallow threats Simone? I thought your parenting books said not to do that?" I say jokingly, laughing at her rediclous threats to her 7 year old, mischevious child."Well in this house I'm not taken seriously unless i say soomething dramatic. You of all people should knw that, half the time i cant get you to listen to me either!" she chuckles, "anyway, what can i help you with Sam?" "Well... i kind of was laid off today." "What?! Sam, im so sorry! Is there anything I can do for you?""Well I was hoping you miht know of a place that needs help? Maybe the grocery store you work at?" i hear her sigh on the other line, which tells me her awnser before she even says it. "Im sorry sam, but were actually overstaffed our selevs. I will Defintly keep an ear out for any openings ok?" "Alright. Thanks Simone." "of course hun. How about me and Jake come over tonight and cook you and Ryan dinner while you look for a new Job online?" Smiling at the thought I nod, then, realizing im on the phone, I vocalize my thoughts. "That would be great Simone. See you around 6?" "6 works great. Ill see then. Keep Your chin up, hun." With those words Simone hung up, and I start my car, feeling just a little bit more hopeful, knowing I wasn't alone. With my foot on the gas, my car in drive, I sped off with a new determination in my mind, to make sure that I wouldn't have to have that conversation. The car slowly came to a stop in front of the local elementry school, my eyes drifting over the black and blue logo, the contemporary style of the building contrasting with the older bungalows on the campus, a sea of young children storming out of the big iron doors. With a sudden thud, my passenger door opens and a small boy pops into my view, his eyes big and caring, not a single bad bone in his small little body. With a huge smile, I watch him climb into the car, and instantly, as if he could read my mind, his smile vanashes and he asks, "what happened? What's wrong?" My smile wavers slightly, but I try to keep my composure "What do you mean kido? Everything is fine. " "Sam, I'm not dumb. I can read you like a book. Please, what happened?" Looking into his eyes, I knew I couldn't lie. There was no way. "I..... I was fired! But that's not for you to worry about. It's my concern OK? Now, let's go home and have some dinner while I look for a new one ok?" "you were fired?? Why? What happened? Is it-" I look over at him and smile, my hand resting on his shoulder. "That's enough. Don't worry about it, I hated that job any way. We have enough to get by for a bit ok? Like i said, its my concern not yours. your concern is dinner tonight! Simone and Jake are coming over, and im sure shes going to need your help with dinner. Ok?" With a small smile, he nods his head and relaxes. OK. I trust you Sam. Let's go home." I unlock the house, walking in with Ryan right behind me. Looking around, I notice that the house, while not huge, never seems to loose the comfy feel. It's a small one bedroom house, the walls a pale blue mixed with an off white, a small kitchen attached to an even smaller dinning room area, and a small cozy den, the couch messy and tossed with blankets and my pillow, acting as my make shift bed, all complete our tiny home. "You have any homework Ryan?" "I have some science homework that I need some help with. Could you help me? Your really good at it.""Sure kido, go set up at the table. Maybe afterwords we could watch a little tv till Simone and Jake get here." Its always heartwarming to watch his eyes light up at something so simple, such as TV. "Really? Don't stand there lets go! I need Tv!" I sit down chuckling and we get to work on his science homework, nothing to hard. Having lost our parents at such a young age really matured Ryan to anextent, which in mh opinion is part of the reason why the kid is so dam clever. Im pretty confident that he could do this without my help, and its probably just an exuse to spend time with his older brother, but that's not something im going to complain about. In almost no time at all, we had finished up his homework, something about clouds I think, and we were lazily relaxing on our couch watch TV. Not to Long after, I hear a knock on the door, followed by the sound of a cheerful hello, along woth the fast pace jabbering that could only be JAKE "Andthenthemonsterjumpedupandhesnatchedtherobotfromtheairandtherewasanexplosionandmetalflyingeverywhereanditwassooooooocool!" Laughing at the little guys speed, I look over at simone. "New action movie?" "Not even! He saw the previews on a tv at a store and suddenly he's seen the whole movie and just has to tell any one that listens." "hehe hey there little dude! Why don't you come over here and watch some TV while your mom and Ryan make us some dinner?" I ask Jake. "Thanks Mr.Sam!" He replies and he runs and jumps on the couch. "You don't mind if I help with dinner Ms. Simone?" Ryan asks. Shaking her head with a smile, she replies,"Of course not. I need all the help I can get! Come on, lets leave your brother a lone for a bit." I sit down at the computer, looking up some of the local places, searching for any job openings as Simone, with little Ryans help, starts dinner for us, the smell of fresh cooked pasta and chicken floating through the air. I hear him getting plates and drinks as I scroll past a few potential ads. One for being a waiter at a local diner caught my eye. 'Full time waiter needed. Starting rate is $15, with room to grow. Night shift only, 2am to 10am. Apply With in' Well that doesnt work. There's no way I would be able to do that and take care of Ryan. Out of the corner of my eye, I see something slide over to me, and I notice its ryan, handing me my plate. Taking the plate, my mouth instantly starts to water, the juciy chicken, with a thick layer of motzerella and tomato sauce, all on top of buttered linguine. "Ryan, this looks incredible" "Thanks. Simone found the recipe online. We just made a few adjustments in the sauce." he replied. With out warning, Ryan stands up and hugs me tight. "Thank you for taking care of me. I know it would be easier if you moved out on your own, and didn't have to take care of me." Slightly shocked, I hug my little brother back. "Don't be rediculous. If I was alone I'd have to cook my own meals. I wouldn't last more then a day! Oh and your also family...I guess that does count for something." I say smiling, my hand ruffling his hair. Looking up at me, he smiles and asks jokingly, "So your just using me for my cooking?" "Yup! Besides that your usless!" Chuckling, he pushes away from me, and socks my arm. "Jerk!" Smiling as we start to eat, i look over at him. "well make it through this just fine." "I know" he says and smiles back.
I search through all of dinner, and late into the night, even after putting Ryan to bed. I was so close to giving up and going to bed myself. There seemed to be nothing but jobs that were either to little in pay, or needing experts."ugh ok, one more page then I'm going to bed." That's when I stumbled across something that caught my eye. It was a small ad on the local newspaper website. The ad read "dreamcatcher needed. 6 hour shifts, midnight to 6am, 4 days a week. Inquire at 425 Moore Street. Inquire within at any hour. Wages to be discussed upon hiring" What the hecks a dream catcher? Clicking over to Google, i do a quick search and pull up....nothing. Not a single result. Well that's strange...but I do need a job...what's the harm in looking? 425 Moore Street....... That's only a block away! Its a nightshift, but thatll still give me the ability to take ryan to school, come home and go to bed, wake up and pick him up, then spend time with him before work. Quickly I scribble down a note, explaining to Ryan where I am incase he Wakes up, then grabbing my wallet and a copy of my resume from the printer, I walk out the door, and over to Simones house next door, quickly ringing her door bell. After a few minutes she awnsers the door looking a little worried. "Sam? Is everything ok?" "Hey Simone, Ya it is, I have a possible job and I need to go over ther quickly because there looking for just one person. I can explain it all later, but would you mind watching Ryan for a bit? He's sleeping, and I should only be gone about 2 hours at most, so if you could just check in on him every once in a while?" "Of course sam. Go go. Don't worry about Ryan. And good luck!" Smiling and turning around, I wave to her, and walk out towards the address, the night air cold against my skin. As I walk, I start to wonder what exactly a dreamcatcher might be, but then again, a job's a job so who cares? The hours, while not perfect, are still really manageable for me. I look up as I come to a stop in front of 425 Moore Street, a building, which while not exactly new, is still obviously well kept, a fresh white paint job recently just finished. Above the door, in crisp black letters, reads 'Dreams are never what they seem'. What the heck does that even mean? Looking around, I think about mine and Ryan's situation. I need a job. But this place....it seems...it seems shady. I can't have a dangerous job....Ryan cant lose another family member.The neighboorhood we live in, the same one this dreamcatcher thing is in, isn't shady or bad at all. But something about the place makes me feel uneasy, as if what I might find inside, may be dangerous. but there is no way to know unless I walk in, so with a heavy sigh of nervousness, I push the door open, and walk in.