Chasing Hearts
Katie gets into Daniel’s car not knowing what she just got herself into. "Where are we
going?" She inquires.
"For a drive."
On hearing this she rolls her eyes. Go figure, she thinks.
"She's a 1953 ford. I love her being green, when it's dark and the cops are out, drive
through the field and you can't see her at all." Daniel mentions.
Katie thought he was insane. "Who?!"
"Patty. She's my car.” (Daniel got his own car back with Jay’s help. He would pay him
back as soon as he could. It had been in the shop for a while now. It was good to have
it back.)
Katie laughs. "She's a cowpatty!?" Katie thought she was funny.
Daniel wasn’t sure what to make of that remark. He was going to try not to think too
hard on that one and let it slide. It was with any luck he would figure out why Katie is
blocking out all feeling with everything and everyone. It was the gut feeling he had he
couldn’t explain. There was just something about her and her manner that made him
think she is fighting something within.
Daniel drove the speed limit into town and stops to get gas. Katie was unenthused but
waits as patiently as she could while observing her surroundings. When Daniel gets
back into the car they went speeding off around the corner.
"AHH! Daniel! You’re going to get us killed!" Katie screams at him as she grips tightly
onto the handle above the door.
"Nah. Haven't done that yet," he smirks.
Katie almost broke a smile, but bit her bottom lip to hide it. This dude was still insane
but she had to admit he had a sense of humor.
The unrecognizable road straightens out for Katie. The wind in her hair felt good. She
was actually quite enjoying the feeling. It made her feel free.
For about a mile they just ride in silence when Katie turns on the radio, and starts lip
singing to every song. The sun was starting to set, and though Daniel could drive on
forever, this night wasn't going to. Where was he going to? Nearly driving blind, yet all
by memory. Where was that memory taking him?
Now he knew. That big tree from his childhood where everything was almost perfect.
Until his dad had the relapse that he never got over.
Putting the car into park he jumps out quickly. He could remember the family picnics
and all the fun they used to have. Now this place, left untouched over the years seemed
old and dusty in the sunset air.
"Are you Okay?" Katie asks as she steps out of the car and walks up behind him.
"Yeah. Old memories, sad how they come and go." Katie didn’t like how he looked
when he was remembering those memories she had no knowledge of. She genuinely
cared for everyone deeply. She wished she could help him but didn’t know what she
should do.
They sit on the plush green grass. That one question lead up to them talking about their
old memories. His family picnics, and dreams of him being a race car driver!
Katie explains how her dad had left her and her mom when she was a baby. Her mom
couldn’t deal with raising a child on her own so Katie moved in with her aunt who didn’t
much care for her, but raised her along with her other three kids.
Everyone she had tried to feel safe and close with seemed to disappear from her life
when she needed them most.
“So when I was eighteen I moved out with all the savings I had and found me a good
job. Sykes was nice enough to loan me a little money for living until I could pay him
back.” Daniel never realized how hard life could be on someone. He felt her pain.
Daniel woke up before his alarm went off. He didn’t have to work today, gladly.,He was
so tired after he dropped Katie back off he realizes he had slept in his clothes.
The apartment he had moved into last night was quiet and peaceful. Not like home was.
He enjoyed it very much but couldn’t help but wonder how his mom was doing without
him.
He went down stairs to check his mail slot. Not only a was there a check to pay for rent
but there was letter from his mother. Puzzled and concerned he ripped open the letter
quickly.
Dear Daniel,
You were right. I knew it too. Yet I was so blind. Things with your father are worse, and I
can't live like that. Don't worry about him; he has what he deserves. By the time you get
this letter I'll be nearly to your Aunt Karen's. Don't worry about me. It's only for awhile.
I'll come back to see you. I hope you are happy where you are.
All my love,
Mom
Daniel was in disbelief. She really left him? She never came to say goodbye. He has to
call Jay. It rings and rings but he didn’t pick up. So he gets in his car and drives to the
factory to look for Katie.
"Katie!"
There she was. Was she ignoring him?
"Katie!" She was busy taking charge and telling workers the tasks they were to do.
He waits out in his car until lunch break, then she comes out. "Katie, why have you
been ignoring me?"
"I’ve been busy," she shouted over her shoulder as she walks away.
Daniel was so puzzled. "What do you want from me?" Katie turns around. "I don't know.
Maybe nothing."
So many things were running in Katie’s mind. How was she to explain that last night
was the best night she had in a long time. If she let Daniel in how was she to know she
wouldn’t be abandoned again?
Taking a moment to think before he says anything again, Daniel runs his hand through
his hair. "Okay. Can we be friends? Right now I have no one! My best friend is planning
a wedding and I just got a letter from my mom that she left my dad, and not only left him
but she left out of state with out saying goodbye to me. Sometimes I don't know what to
do!"
That made Katie feel guilty. She had no idea. How could she. "I'm sorry. Come with me
to lunch and we can talk."
They head into town to get a burger and they end up talking the whole time there. Kate
finally understood what his life was for him and how he felt lost.
“My dad used to be my best friend. We had goals and plans for the future. Now its as if
that has somehow died. My childhood, my dreams. I don’t even know what I want
anymore.”
CHAPTER FOUR