Free Catching You by Katie Gallagher Page A

pop. I groaned.
    “What’s wrong, darling?” I heard Ellen’s voice behind me.
    I shrugged. “It’s nothing. My mom just made me a turkey
sandwich and I swear if I eat one more of them I’m going to sprout wings.” I
grinned.
    “You exaggerate.”
    I shook my head. “No, that’s all she’s been making me since
I got out of the hospital. It’s getting old.”
    Ellen disappeared and came back with a big slice of
chocolate cake.
    “Here, this should make up for your turkey sandwich. When
you are done eating tell Samantha it’s her turn and get your butt back to work.
I don’t pay you to sit around.” She swatted at my behind with a wet dishtowel
and I had to laugh.
    “Thanks Ellen.” She smiled back and left the room. I ate the
piece of cake quickly, wiped my mouth, and went back to the dining hall.
    “It’s your turn, Sammie.” I smiled and nodded to Michaela
who was cleaning up a messy table. “I’ll do that. You go sit that nice couple
over there.” I gestured to the front. She walked away. I finished cleaning the
table and walked over to the couple who just sat down.
    “What can I get for you today?” I asked politely, writing
down the couples order. The rest of the afternoon went rather smoothly, but boy
was I glad when 3’oclock came around. Nick had shown up earlier than I asked
and was sitting at the counter talking with Michaela. I was beginning to feel
sick to my stomach watching them. I wanted to run over and tell her to stay
away from him, but I couldn’t do that without raising some suspicions.
    He glanced up, saw me staring, and walked over. “Hey, just
the person I was looking for,” he said and leaned over to kiss my lips. I
turned my head and he got my cheek.
    “Let me get my stuff and I’ll be ready.” Red-faced, I walked
away from him.
    I slipped into my coat, yelled goodbye to Ellen, and grabbed
my purse.
    “I’m ready to go.” I said, walking out into the main lobby.
Nick smiled and put his arm through mine.
    “Your chariot waits.” I hid my head. People were staring at
us. When we got outside, I pulled my arm away and walked to the car. I yanked open
the door before Nick could come and open it for me.
    “Is something wrong?” he asked, concern in his voice as he
got into the driver’s side.
    I shook my head. “No.”I quickly changed the subject, “I
still don’t get why my mother won’t let me take the car to work. I’m completely
fine. My ribs don’t even hurt anymore. Even my bruises are starting to fade,” I
whined.
    “I don’t mind picking you up, you know that right?” he
asked, setting his hand on my arm.
    I pulled away, “Yeah, I know that,” I said frustrated.
    He grabbed my head and turned it towards him, “I know
something is wrong and we aren’t leaving this parking lot until you tell me.”
    I just sat there, arms crossed, staring out the window. “I
don’t want to talk about it,” I argued.
    “Tough. You are going to tell me what is wrong before we go
anywhere. I’m worried about you.”
    “Why are you taking care of me? We weren’t that close before
Ryan died. Is it because you feel guilty about something?” I asked.
     “No. After graduation, Ryan pulled me aside and told me to
‘take care of Lauren for me.’ I never was able to ask him what exactly he meant
by that comment because the accident was that night.”
    I bit my lip. Oh, so maybe Ryan was planning to kill
himself and that’s why we found the brakes were tampered with on the car.
    “Now that I’ve told you that, are you going to tell me
what’s really wrong? I’m not falling for the ‘nothing’ excuses right now.” I
glared at him over the steering wheel.
    “I don’t want to tell you,” I said, gritting my teeth.
    “I don’t care. You’re going to tell me or I’m not taking you
home.” He took the keys out of the ignition and held them.“Sorry. I’m just
worried about you. You seemed fine earlier today, but now you’re moody. I want
to know