Page 39 of Trucker
But I knew—deep down—I knew I couldn’t save them from it all—the nightmares, the burnout, the stress.
This job was going to kill some of them—literally.
But it was the risk we took.
The risks we accepted.
Even though it breaks my heart, they needed to understand that too.
Usually, they would clean up after themselves. But I had nothing else doing and after the week they’d had, I set to work.
After cleaning up as best I could, I locked up and left the firehouse.
Remembering that I’d promised Taji to bring dinner home, the only place I could find was the diner. When I entered, everyone turned to stare.
Ignoring them, I sat on one of the stools by the bar and the creepy woman who’d insisted I take her number walked over with a menu.
The name tag on her chest said her name was Esther—fitting, I suppose.
It was as if she hadn’t gotten the picture from before, because she ensured that her fingers brushed mine when she handed me the menu.
“You’re telling me that out of all the women in the town, you chose that one?” She asked. “Out of all the women here, throwing themselves at you.”
“I beg your pardon?” I glared at her.
“She’s unclean, you know?” Esther asked. “No good.”
I looked up.
“Why do you think she lives all the way out there?” Esther pushed. “And why do you think she volunteered to host you? No man in this town will touch her.”
I scoffed. “You’re assuming she wants the men in this town to touch her. Now, if you have a problem minding your business, I’d like another waitress, please.”
She frowned and walked away.
Another waitress hurried over and took my order.
Due to the size, I had to wait a few extra minutes. I ensured I was very sweet to her, gave her a large tip then was on my way.
Esther’s words were rolling around in my head.
She’s unclean, you know?
What did that even mean?
Was this town always like this to her?
Had she stayed because of her loyalty to her grandfather and that land?
There was no smoke without fire—and even if fire yet, there would soon be a spark and she would suffer.
Frowning, I parked next to her car and carried things into the house.
I found her asleep on the sofa.
Instead of waking her, I put the food in the kitchen then carried my dirty clothes up the stairs. I showered then reported back to the living room where I woke her by gently shaking her.
“You’re back.” Taji rubbed her eyes. “You look tired—are you sure?—”
