Chapter 4

My world spun around me as my heart raced. She's gone. 

"I'm so sorry for your loss," the doctor said before taking his leave. 

Warm arms wrapped around me as the sobs wracked my body. I didn't bother to pull away or try to convince him I didn't need anyone. I needed it. I needed the comfort and security that he seemed to bring with him...at least for right now.

I slumped against him, my tears soaking his pristine shirt as he held me tight. I wasn't sure how long I stayed that way, but not once did he try to pull away from me. 

"I know it's hard," he told me as I slowly sat up, "I lost my mother at a young age." 

Wow. I would have never guessed that. But I doubt his mother died of her own doing, like my own. "Do you have family you need to call or would like me to call for you?" His voice was soft and gentle. I shook my head, "No, there's no one but me. Would you mind giving me a ride back to the tracks?" I asked, suddenly feeling very frustrated. How could she do this to me? How could she leave me with no one and nothing? We didn't have much more than half a gallon of milk in the fridge...and honestly, I think that is almost gone too. Sure, I had some cash from the diner, but that was for bills. 

"What time is it?" I asked frantically, searching my bag for my phone. 

"It's almost 4," Niko replied, "Why, what's wrong?" 

"I have to get to work," I told him as I snatched up my bag, "I'm already late." 

His hand darted out, grabbing my arm as I turned to run out the door, "Work?" he asked with confusion clear on his face, "You can't be serious right now. Are you okay?" 

"Yes, I'll be fine," I told him as the frustration began to turn into full-blown anger, "And yeah, I have to work. Bills don't pay themselves, and in case you missed it, my mother is no longer here to help...not like she helped much anyway." 

A look of shock flashed across his face before he turned serious, "I know this sucks, but there's no reason to take it out on me. And you are not going to work," he lifted his hand wiping away tears I didn't know where still falling, "You need a few days, or more, to grieve and sort things out." 

I scoffed, though I did feel a little guilty for being rude to him, "Unfortunately, I don't have that luxury." I forced a smile, "Thank you for everything you've done for me today. I do appreciate it." 

With that, I turned and walked out of the hospital. As soon as I walked out the door, my mood just worsened. Of course, it was still raining heavily. Perfect for this day and this mood, but horrible because I would look like a drowned rat by the time I arrived at work. 

"Wait here," Niko told me as he appeared beside me, "I'll give you a ride." 

Without waiting for me to respond, he took off jogging across the parking lot to his car. I stood, watching him, my mind blank as I waited for him to pull up to the door. My energy was gone. My previous determination washed away with the storm. But the anger? The anger was still there and burning intensely. I was exhausted. I felt physically, emotionally, and mentally exhausted. I hadn't done anything today but sit at this hospital, and I was ready to pass out. I wanted to go to sleep and wake up and realize this was nothing more than a horrible dream. But that wasn't going to happen. 

I stood there as Niko parked the car in front of me, then got out and helped me into it. "You should eat before you go to work," he stated. I was hungry, but I didn't think I could eat at the moment. "I'm okay," I told him, "And I'm not going to work after all. Can you take me back to the tracks? I can walk from there." 

He scoffed as he put the car in drive and slipped his hand into mine, "Let me rephrase that...we are going to grab something to eat and then I will take you all the way to your house and stay with you. You don't need to be alone right now."

"Yeah, you say that until you see my house." 

I didn't even have the energy to insist he didn't need to. I didn't have the energy even to care how embarrassing my home was. It's just whatever at this point. I just want to go to sleep. I stared blankly out the window, watching the rain as it slipped down the glass. I still couldn't believe she was gone. She was many things, but at the end of the day, she was my mother, and I loved her. I knew she loved me, even if she didn't show it or say it much the last couple of years. We only had each other...Now I had no one. 

"I'll go in and order," Niko told me, "I think soup would be best. Is there a certain one you prefer?" 

I looked up and asked, "Why are we here?" 

"Umm, to get some food?" 

"Here?" I asked him, a little confused. I figured he would be eating somewhere fancy...not at the old diner I work at. 

"Yeah, why not? I know the place looks old, and it does need some work, but the food is good." 

He wasn't lying. The food was good, really good actually, but I couldn't picture someone like him eating here. Shit! I suddenly realized I hadn't even called in to let them know I wouldn't be in today. Well, I guess while we are here, I can go in and tell them. Maybe they won't fire me. My manager was an asshole, and I was pretty sure he borderline hated me. I took a deep breath and reached for the door handle. "You can wait in the car. I'll go in and get it." 

"Thanks, but I need to let my manager know I won't be in today."

"You work here?" he seemed surprised as he stared at me, "Why do you seem nervous all of a sudden?" 

"Yep," I told him, "I'm not nervous..." He raised an eyebrow at me, causing me to sigh, "Okay, look, I can't lose this job. My manager, Trey, is an asshole, so I'm not sure how well this is going to go. I'm already late for my shift and now I'm going to be telling him I'm not working at all today...should be fun."

Niko's eyes darkened, "I promise he won't say anything stupid to you."

"Thanks, but no thanks," I told him, opening my door, "I don't need you saying anything and making it worse. I know you may have good intentions, but trust me, I know Trey, and I promise it will only make it worse for me. He already hates me. So please let me do this." 

I could tell he wanted to say more, but I didn't wait for him to continue. I hopped out of the car and dashed into the diner. I didn't have to look for Trey too hard. "Well, look who finally decided to show up." his bulging frame hovered over me, much like Niko did, but I hated the sound of his voice. "Where's your uniform?"

"Umm, I need the day off," I started, "My mother..."

"Your mother what? Spit it out, but you already know the answer," he sneered.

"Look, Trey," I told him, fighting back the tears, "I really need off today, my mother...she just..."

Gosh, why was it so hard for me to say it? 

"Hey, Trey," Niko's voice filled the space. I turned, pinning him with a glare. I specifically told him to let me handle this. I don't need him taking care of everything for me. Jeez, what was with this guy? 

"Hey, Niko," Trey greeted him hesitantly. Instantly, my attention turned back to my asshole manager. I had never heard him sound...nervous? But as I took in his current expression, I couldn't help but think he looked more scared than nervous. 

"So what's the problem?" Niko asked, taking another step toward him and completely ignoring me in the process.

"Oh, no, there's no problem," Trey told him with a nervous chuckle.

"Are you sure?" Niko pressed, "It looked like there might have been an issue." He turned to me, "Baby, is there a problem?"

My face filled with heat at his words. Baby? Are you kidding me? Though I do like the way it sounds when he says it. His arm slipped around my waist as he waited for my response. 

"Umm, I was just trying to explain to him why I need today off..." my voice cracked with emotion, "But he didn't want to listen." 

"That's not true," Trey stuttered, "Don't lie. I was listening." 

Niko raised his hand, effectively shutting Trey up, "So here's the thing," he told him with a glare, "Justice will not be working today or any day for at least the next two weeks...maybe longer. Understand?"

"Yes, sir," Trey replied, bowing his head, "May I ask what the reason is?"

"No," Niko told him as he led me to the counter to order, "It's not your concern. Oh, and Trey," he stopped and turned to face him, "Make sure she not only receives pay for her time off, but I expect there to be a bonus for the hassle you have given her." 

Trey didn't respond, but I could see the anger just below the surface. I stood in shock at what had just happened.