Chapter One: Daniel
“Daniel, wait up!” a voice came from down the corridor. Daniel turned around to see his friend Riley.
“Riley, hey,” Daniel replied, “I didn’t realize our classes ended at the same time.”
“Yeah well, you never asked about my schedule.”
“Oh, sorry.”
“So what are you doing now?”
“I’m headed to the Fletcher’s place.”
“What’s at the Fletcher’s place?”
“I’m supposed to be doing some work for them. They just want a couple of things fixed up around their house.”
“Oh, that’s nice of you.”
“Well, it isn’t a favor, they’re going to compensate me, thankfully. Normally I’d turn down any sort of payment for something like this but… things happen. What about you?”
“I’m going back to my place, I’ll try and knock out a few assignments so that I can actually enjoy my evening. You want to come by after you’re finished at the Fletcher’s?”
“I’d like that. I’ll even cook, is your kitchen clean?”
Riley punched him in the arm. “Hey!” she said, “you’re right though, but since I’m feeling good today, I’ll make sure it’s chef-worthy just for you.”
“Thank you. Also invite Owen over, we’ll do a whole thing.”
Daniel had arrived at his car. “Alright, see you later,” he said.
“Bye.”
Daniel hopped into his 2000 Subaru Outback, and set off for the Fletchers’s house. He and Riley both had just started their second year at their local community college. They were the only two from their small graduating class to attend. Surprisingly enough, over half of their class didn’t even go to a university. Most of them took a gap year, or decided college wasn’t for them. Daniel and Riley went straight to college. Daniel was working towards an associates in psychology, and Riley had changed from a nursing degree to a focus in physical therapy.
The Fletchers were an older couple who lived about fifteen minutes away from Daniel’s college. They were acquainted through Daniel’s mother’s volunteer work, and had invited them over for dinner once or twice. Soon enough, Daniel pulled into their driveway, and made his way to the door. He rang the doorbell and waited, a few seconds later, Mr. Fletcher answered.
“Daniel,” he said, “come on in, how are you?”
“I’ve been better, but I guess I can’t really complain.”
“So, you think you’ll be able to make the repairs?”
“Very confident.” Daniel had no idea what repairs he was supposed to make. They never explained what exactly needed fixing. Mr. Fletcher took him out to the backyard.
“So it’s those two parts of the fence that needs to be fixed, and that part of the yard needs to be dug out to pour in some concrete, the door on the shed needs to be replaced, and just a few minor things inside.”
“Gotcha.”
“If you think it’ll take more than a day to get all this done that’s fine, just let us know when you’ll be back. Do you have all the tools you need to get started?”
“Yeah I have some with me, I’ll need a shovel though.”
“There’s one in the shed, let me know if you need anything, Shawna won’t be back for a few hours or so.”
“Sounds good, I’ll let you know.”
About an hour had passed, and the hole was about halfway dug. Daniel sat down on the bench in the yard to catch his breath. He thought about how much worse this would have been during the summer, at least coming into the cooler months it was more bearable. A few minutes later, Mr. Fletcher came out with a glass of ice water.
“Things going okay?” he said, handing Daniel the glass.
“Yeah,” Daniel replied, “just roots getting in the way.”
“You’re still in school right?”
“Yeah, first day of classes was today.”
“Oh that’s good, how’s progress with your program.”
“Should be finished in three semesters.”
“That’s exciting.”
“You’d think so right? I was barely able to pay for this semester.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Don’t be, it happens, I guess. Just a rough patch.”
“What are you doing for money?”
“This, that, odd jobs. My past consistent jobs have always had something go wrong that wasn’t necessarily my fault.”
“Well, I guess my advice would be to keep it up. Once you finish your degree everything should fall into place.”
“The problem right now is that everything is just falling, I’m not sure what to do with all the pieces.”
“Well, look, if you need anything, just ask.”
“Could I have another glass of water?”
“Of course.”
Another hour had passed, and the hole was finally dug, and the shed door replaced. Daniel put up the shovel and walked into the house.
“All done for today Mr. Fletcher!” he called out.
Mr. Fletcher walked in from around the corner. “Thanks a lot Daniel. What do I owe you?”
“I’ll come back tomorrow to finish up, so don’t worry about compensation until I’m finished with everything.”
“You sure?”
“Yes.”
“Alright, well, I’ll see you tomorrow. Same time?”
“Yes. See you then.” Daniel walked through the hall and towards the front door, until Mrs. Fletcher and a young man came through the door.
“Hey Daniel!” Mrs. Fletcher said.
“Hi.” Daniel needed to go to the store and buy ingredients for dinner, he knew his schedule was about to be derailed by at least five minutes.
“How are you?”
“I’m good, I think. What about you?”
“Were you hard at work in the backyard?”
“Something like that.”
“This is our grandson Lewis,” she said, pointing to the man.
“Nice to meet you, Lewis,” Daniel said with an outstretched arm.
“What’s up bro?” Lewis said, shaking Daniel’s hand.
“Why don’t you stay for dinner?” Mrs. Fletcher offered
“I can’t, I’m having dinner with a friend of mine?”
“Like a date?”
Lewis took a call on his phone and stepped out the front door.
“No, like dinner with a friend.”
“No worries, Daniel,” Mr. Fletcher said, “maybe you can stay for dinner tomorrow.”
“Yeah of course,” Daniel said, slowly stepping in the direction of the front door.
“Alright, you be good now,” Mrs. Fletcher said.
Daniel walked rather briskly out the front door, and towards his car. He passed by Lewis in the driveway. Lewis was no longer on the phone, and had a disturbed look on his face, it seemed as if something had gone wrong.
Daniel was about to unlock his car door, before he reluctantly decided to ask what was up. “Hey,” he said, walking towards him. “You alright? I’m a psychology major, and I can tell something’s got you concerned.”
Lewis gave him a look of exhaustion.
“That was a joke,” Daniel said, “but seriously what’s the matter?”
“The usual,” Lewis said, “something I’m responsible for just got all kinds of screwed up.”
“I know how you feel.”
“I’d go fix it but I can’t get out of this dinner with my grandparents. I don’t get to see them much you know?”
“Yeah.”
“You, know, if you could do one small favor for me, I could compensate you. It would eat up the rest of your day though.”
“The rest of my day? How much are we talking about?”
“Like, seven, eight hundred dollars.”
“To do what?”
“Just move a package from point A to point B, that’s all.”
“That’s all.”
“That’s all.”
“Let’s see the money.”
Lewis pulled a roll of bills from his back pocket, held them in front of Daniel. “Three hundred, down. The rest comes when the job is done.”
In a split second, a million thoughts burst through Daniel’s mind. What’s in the package? Is this money real? Was this some cruel twist of fate, or a convenient blessing? He could really use the money.
“Where am I supposed to go?”
“Give me your number, and I’ll text you all the info.”
They exchanged numbers, and Daniel took the money.
“Thank you so much, pal,” Lewis said, “go to the bait and tackle shop on Stickerbush road, now hurry up, you’re on the clock.”
Daniel quickly hopped in his car, and drove off.
