Chapter 10

“Uhm, Charlene said I could stay with them until I get my stuff sorted out.” I looked down at my hands, not knowing what to do with the situation.

“Uh” He, said while nodding his head.

Charlene came in looking tired. “I’m exhausted I love those two to death, but they are sometimes a handful.” She said while slumping in the chair.

The kettle started to whistle. Charlene stood up. “Who wants coffee?”

“Me please,” Joe said.

Charlene looked over at me. “I would also like coffee, three sugars,1 coffee, and milk please.”

“Coming right up.” Giving me a big smile.

Joe looked up at Charlene. “When and how did you two meet?”

Charlene and I looked at each other. Charlene finished our coffee and placed our cups in front of us, also taking her seat.

“We met today. Amore, asked Rudolf for a map at the Gas station, he suggested she can catch a ride to Myrtle Beach with us, we had a quick talk at home, and now she’s going to stay with us until she gets settled down.” Charlene looked at me with a smile.

“Mmm.” He said while nodding his head.

Rudolf walked in, going straight to Charlene kissing her on her head. “What did I miss?”

Looking at our coffee cups, he pointed to our cups and looked shocked at Charlene.

“Where is my coffee? I also want coffee?” He said with a pout.

“I worked so hard. I carried all our bags up those steps.” He pointed to the door.

“I’m feeling so left out.” He said falling into his chair, acting like a drama queen, putting his arm over his eyes as though he just fainted.

Charlene shakes her head, stood up, and started making him a cup of coffee.

“What do you want to do, Amore?” Joe asked out of the blue, ignoring Rudolf’s scene.

“What do you mean? I asked with confusion.

“What do you want to do with your life?” He said casually.

That’s a good question… I don’t know. I thought to myself.

“First, I need to get a job, then move out when I can afford an apartment.”

“How old are you?” He looked into my eyes.

I looked down, not wanting to meet his eyes. “Eighteen.”

“I assume you haven`t finished school yet. What grade are you currently at?”

Still looking down “Grade 12.”

“Do you want to finish school?”

I looked up at him, hope shining in my eyes. “YYes, but how will I be able to do that.”

“You will stay here and finish your school year. You can tell me later which school you attended.”

I looked at Charlene with uncertainty. Can I trust Joe? It will be just the two of us alone in this house, but Charlene trusted him in her past. He also helped her, and he looks like a good man, but how will I be able to pay my school fees?

Seeing me struggling to make a discussion.

Charlene gave a nod. “I agree with Joe, Amore. You can trust him. Don’t worry about money or anything else. You just need to focus on graduating.”

I looked between them. Remembering Charlene's words, I will take every opportunity with both hands and be grateful. I will someday pay them back. I just know I could trust them.

“What do you say, Amore?” Joe asked.

I looked at them with gratitude. “If it’s not going to be too much trouble for you, Joe, I will stay. I will forever be grateful.”

“Now that’s settled then. What’s for dinner I’m starving.” Rudolf clapped his hands rubbing them together. He looked between Charlene and Joe.

Rudolf and Charlene only stayed for the weekend. The weekend went too quickly. Joe gave me the spare room and told me to change it as I see fit. Charlene and I went clothes shopping and brought me all the necessities. She took me around town showing me all the places. We became really good friends. Joe and I really got along well. We actually have a lot in common.

On Monday, I woke up at six, took my shower, and changed into jeans and a plain t-shirt. I skipped down the steps to the kitchen and started making breakfast for Joe and me.

“I thought I heard you get up.” He yawned while rubbing his eyes, taking a seat at the kitchen table.

“Jip, Making us some breakfast. I must earn my living somehow.”

“I phoned an old friend last night, he said if we can get your old school records, they will have a place waiting for you.”

Taking the eggs out of the pan and putting them on our plates. Taking the plates and putting them in front of Joe. He looked up at me. I know that look.

“I’m from ...” And so, I started telling Joe my whole story, what my father did to me and my mother, what happened the day I left, and how I ended up at the same Gas station Rudolf works at.

I thought it would be hard to share my story with Joe, but surprisingly it was easy. I told him everything. It felt like I could breathe again like a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders. The whole time he looked at me with no judgment only compassion.

“You have been through a lot, Amore. Do you want me to call you Amore or Mia?” He asked

“Amore, please Joe. I don’t want others to know my past. I told you because I trust you. I don’t want Richard to ever know where I am.”

“Okay, don’t worry. It will be easy getting your school records without him knowing. Luckily, I know someone there who still owes me a favor.”

“Thank you, Joe”

“You do not have to thank me, Amore. We are family from now on.”

Joe is in his late sixties, still very fit, has short white-gray hair, a short white gray beard, blue eyes underneath black lens glasses, and normally wears long light brown trousers, button-up shirts, and light sweaters.

As promised, Joe got my school records. He enrolled me in Myrtle Beach High school. I graduated with honors. Joe, Rudolf, and Charlene attended my graduation. The look on Joe`s face when I walked onto the stadium brought tears to my eyes. He looked like a proud father sticking out his chest, like saying, “That’s my daughter, I’m so proud of her.” We grew very close over a short period of time. I also discovered Joe is actually a doctor. He was so excited knowing I wanted to study medicine. He started showing me a lot of great universities that I could apply to study at. First, I didn’t want to go, feeling it was too much money, but he eventually told me I could repay him by becoming a good doctor. I got into an amazing university.

The day finally came that Joe sent me to university. At the airport, standing in front of each other saying our goodbyes.

“Remember to eat, and please remember to call me every night so I can be sure no boys take advantage of you, also remember to come back every holiday or when you feel like it. Give me a call when you are short of money” Joe looks at me with concern in his eyes.

“I will, I promise. You must also promise to take care of yourself. I will see you soon.” I gave him a big hug and walked through the gates.