Chapter One: The First Time It Happened
I walked to the old green Chevy Avalanche and hopped inside. Today is a beautiful fall day, not better than yesterday, but close enough. Today is the day that I am going to finally get the check that I have been waiting for. The very first check I will ever receive in my life. My mom and dad have been giving me money to pay for my stay in this new condo that I have had for the past three months, but now I am on my own. I cannot wait to finally be a man, non-dependent on my parents. My cell phone rang. It was my buddy Kyle. I answered as I pulled out of the driveway. "Hey, whats up?" I ask. "Hey, Luke, buddy, you coming' to The Moth Supernatural Blackhole tonight?" Kyle asked, excitement creeping into his voice. "Well, yeah, right after work,you know I would never miss Frite Nite." I said as I drove on towards where I work as doctors assistant at Jimeni Memorial Hospital. "Great, dude, we are party all night!" Kyle laughed. I laughed along and shook my head as I was getting closer to work. "I cannot wait, man." I said. "Alright, see you later. Luke." He said. "Later, Kyle." I replied. Yes, my buds and I are party guys, fresh out of college all med students. I never thought I'd get our of MIT, but I did it some how. I got to the hospital and straight to my own office. No one was in yet, besides the receptionist and a few older doctors and janitors maybe, but thats all. I sat at my desk and a bright yellow envelope caught my eye. "And what do we have here?" I asked myself picking it up. I flipped it over to see who it was from. "No name, hmm." I said opening it. It was what I least expected. "Fired!? Are you serious??"I yelled in disbelief. "Gotcha!" a voice yelled from behind me. I turned sharply to see Dr. Golden standing behind me. "Ah, dude, thats so not funny." I said, rubbing my head, which was now throbbing crazily. "Ha, just thought I'd get you with a little humor before you start the day." He laughed some more. Humor my ass. "So, you ready to get your first payment?" Golden asked, turning toward the door. "Oh, yes, of course, Sir." I said as a smile crossed my face. "Good, my boy, good. You are a pretty good assistant to me and I may have rewarded you a little more than usual, but you deserve it all the same." Dr. Golden stated smiling fatherly at me. "Well, uh, thanks Mr. G, but you really didn't have to do that." I said, knowing damned well that I loved being over tipped. "No, no, I did have to. You are a bright young man Mr. Graves, and thats my way of showing you that you are appreciated." My smile widened. "Thanks, Sir."I said, glad that I was meaningful to at least one person. "You're welcome, and you also have surgery to get to, am I right?" He said again. "Oh, right, Im on it." I replied following him out the door. "You're an alright kid." Dr. Golden said as we walked down the hall. "You're alright."
After the long 9 hour day, I went home and changed out of my filthy scrubs, got into the shower and then got ready for party time. I got into the car once again and sped over to the Moth Supernatural Blackhole, an awesome ass night club I might add.
"Hey, its Luke, what up!?" Joel asked putting out a hand for me to shake. I shook his hand and nodded to the bartender for a cold beer. "SO, LETS GET THE PARTY STARTED!" Kyle yelled from out of nowhere as I popped my beer open and we all drank as everyone on the club cheered along with us. The bartenders, Steve, Pete and Ashlen to be exact, all cheered also and began to give our the free Frite Nite drinks. "Hey, um..Can I just get a martini?" She asked. I sipped some Budweiser and looked over at the young woman sitting at the bar next to me. She had hair as red as blood, seriously, her hair was reddish-black. I saw that her eyes were the color of the ocean in full sunlight, a beautiful green. Her skin was milkier and creamier than sweet vanilla ice cream. I couldnt look away. "Thank you so much." She said cheerfully as Ashlen handed her an Apple Martini. I watched as she drank and then put the shot glass on the counter. "Another?" She asked. Ashlen smiled and gave her one more. She drank it quickly and then put her head on the counter and Ashlen walked off to tend to other drinkers. The young lady sniffled. I noticed that she was crying. I tapped her arm. She looked up at me quickly and then wiped her eyes."You okay?" I ask, suddenly not wanting my beer anymore. Those eyes, they draw me in. She smiled and shook her head. "No, Im...I am good." She said hurriedly. I raised an eyebrow. "You sure about that?" I asked again. She nodded and began to stand. "Hey, wait..." I said. I feel that I have to know more about her. "I am sorry, My friends are leaving, and I dont want the m to go without me." She said pointing to a group of young women heading toward the door. Damn, I have to act fast. "Can I get your number, or...?" I asked desperately. She stared at me for a moment and then looked back to her friends. She thrust a card at me. Jena Silverman. "I gotta go." She said hurrying away. I watched her disappear into the crowd.
