CHAPTER 2
It was sweltering in the kitchen when she returned, being in a tank-top and shorts didn‘t seem to help much either. She made tuna fish for sandwiches and finished making the soup.
Getting herself a glass of iced tea and sitting down, she thought she better make the help wanted sign so her mother could put it up at Kelly's later.
Just as Dana finished she heard the Chevy coming up the drive. "Can't miss that, it’s almost as bad as Bryan's truck." She drank her tea as she waited.
"Think this will work Mom?" She held the card out as her mother walked in.
She set the bags down on the counter and turned to her daughter to read it. "It should, and I can weed out any weirdo's."
Dana watched her mother get herself a bowl of soup and sit down. She wondered just what kind of person would take a job like they were offering.
"Mmmmmm...," the older woman sighed closing her eyes in enjoyment. "This really hits the spot, it doesn't matter if the weather is hot or cold for me. Soup is good anytime."
"You better hurry up though, you don't have a lot of time before you have to leave for work. Your uniform is in the dryer, but it should be done by now." Dana told her as she started putting the groceries away. When she got to the bottom she found five rib-eye steaks, she held them up frowning. "What's this for? We can't afford these."
"They're for Lynn's birthday on Saturday. Did you forget?" Her mother smiled at the thought, knowing the question would side track her daughter a bit.
"I guess I did." She stared out the window.How could I have forgotten? She'd never done it before. "I'll have to go shopping tomorrow for something special." Dana was angry with herself because she really hated leaving things for the last minute.
"To think, my baby will be eighteen in a few days." She said. "Does Lynn have to baby-sit for anyone Saturday?"
"I don't think so. You'll have to check with her though," glancing at the old clock above the sink Dana thought she better remind her mother again. "You better get a move on Mom, look at the time."
Dana finished with the groceries and started the few dishes while her mother changed. She wondered why Ralph hadn't come in for lunch yet, she knew he didn't eat by himself very often.
Her mother returned fifteen minutes later ready to go. "See you tomorrow Sweetheart, don't work too hard." Then giving her daughter a kiss, she started out the door in contemplation. She knew her daughter worried about her too much, but Dana worked even harder than she did. She seemed to worry almost all the time, about so many different things. And Dana hardly ever went out anymore, she didn't think her daughter had been on a date for over a year. Standing on the porch she replied, "You either Mom. And if Kelly asks you to work late, please don't. Give yourself a break for a change." Dana's words brought her back from her thoughts, "No, I can't because I took Saturday off," she stated, sliding behind the wheel. The car started its usual loud growl, "Oh and get that cat out to do her work too!" She yelled over the noise, smiling she waved and turned the vehicle around.
"Okay, bye Mom! Love you!" She shouted. Stepping back inside she noticed Sassies’ black-tipped ears twitching in interest. Dana shook her head smiling because the darn cat knew they were talking about her. The large feline looked up sleepily for a moment then decided to go back to sleep.
Dana went down to the basement to switch loads again, she started folding the dry ones while dreaming of a swim in the spring fed pond by the woods. She knew in this heat a swim would have been wonderful. If only she had the time. When the folding was done she turned to go back upstairs with the basket of now clean clothes. Halfway up she heard the phone, "Oh Shoot!" She cried, running the rest of the way so she wouldn't miss it.
"Hello?" She breathlessly answered.
"Dana, it's me," Lynn's voice came over the line, "is Buzz there?"
"No, he was here earlier. Why?" She responded, not really wanting to think about the man.
"Because Bryan and I saw him in town, he was in a really rotten mood. Drunk too I think." Then asking, "What did you do to him, step on his big toe or something?"
"No," Dana sighed with exasperation, "I just wouldn't go out with him, that's all."
"Good for you sis," her voice sounding more relaxed, "stay away from him, he means trouble. I'll be home in a little while. Bye."
"Hey, wait a minute!" She interrupted with some surprise, "What's this, you giving me advice? I thought it was suppose to be the other way around."
Lynn giggled softly, "It can go both ways big sister. See you later, gotta go."
She hung the phone up with a smile, Dana went down the hall to her room and left the basket on the bed, deciding to take a quick bath. Even with the temperature in the nineties the soak would feel great but she couldn’t make it too long.
She started the water in the tub as she peeled the clinging clothes from her hot tired body. Glancing in the full-length mirror she saw the bruise starting to form on her upper left arm. Sometimes Dana wished she was stronger, maybe then she wouldn't end up with these stupid bruises.
She began studying and criticizing herself. How boring she thought, it's no wonder she hadn't met anyone decent.
Examining herself from head to toe, she had uncontrollable long wavy brown hair that always did what ever it pleased. She had dark brown eyes that she thought were too large for her face, and her hips were too wide also. Last but not least, her breasts were way too large she thought. Sure that was the one thing that did attract a male but they only wanted one thing when they saw her big chest. And they all thought she was totally empty-headed. What did the male population think, big boobs meant no brains?
Dana wished she were more like her sister Lynn who had the classic body for 5'5". And Dana was lucky to just make five-foot.
Finally relaxing in the tub she reflected on her little sister some more. Lynn had the face and body of a model, she was a beautiful blonde that other people would think was bottled. And she had Dad's bright blue eyes and lashes so long she didn't need mascara. Thank goodness Lynn didn't act like some of the other girls who were just as beautiful. Her sister had never had problems with men either, not the way Dana had, at least not that she knew of. But then again she's been dating Bryan for almost three years now.
She thought there must be something wrong with her. She just didn't seem to have what it takes to be a woman that men liked or fell in love with. Dana just wished something would work out for herself, she didn't want a lot. Just someone to love and love her back. That’s not too much to ask, is it? She asked herself as she rested her head back against the tub.
A sudden knock startled Dana from her thoughts, "Hey Dana. What'd you do, drown? It's so quiet in there," Lynn asked laughing.
"No, just day dreaming I guess. What time is it anyway?"
"Almost three thirty," her sister answered.
"Oh My!" She cried, "I've been in here for over and hour. No wonder I look like a prune." Standing up she wrapped her hair in a towel and got into her robe before letting the water out and heading for the kitchen.
Finding Bryan sitting at the table Dana smiled, he was slender with youth but she knew he'd fill out nicely in a few years. "How's things going?"
The old cap he always wore hid most of his dark brown hair but his warm green eyes sparkled as he looked up, "Fine and you?" He Smiled in return.
Getting herself a soda, Dana answered as she joined him at the table. "Alright I guess, just sick of work as usual."
"Why do you keep working at that place anyway?" Lynn asked with concern as she worked on dinner. "You said it's not for college for yourself."
"It's to help pay the bills and keep this farm going. You know Mom's checks aren't enough." Taking a sip of her soda. "As it is I have to hire someone to help out, there's just too much for Uncle Ralph and I to keep up with."
At that moment a truck from Hayward Lumber pulled into the yard. "Well it's about time," Dana spoke sarcastically, watching out the window.
Bryan stood heading out the door to help his friends since he was there, even if it was his day off.
Jumping up she turned to her sister, "Lynn would you get my purse from the living room? I need the checkbook," running to her room to change. Dana quickly got dressed in her work clothes and old boots.
Sailing through the house, she threw the towel off her head at the same time grabbing the checkbook Lynn held out for her and flew out the door.
The guys had just finished the unloading as Dana slid to a halt next to the truck. Another cap covered head turned to her handing her the bill somewhat reluctantly. Her brown eyes widened at the amount, "One hundred and what? Seventy-five of it is for delivery!" She hollered, her face turning slightly red with anger as she wrote it out and signed it. "Here's the check and you can tell Mister Hayward that from now on I'll pick it up myself!" Then reaching into the back of her checkbook for three five-dollar bills for the guys.
Bryan took two of them and handed them to his friend, "I won't take that," he told her, "I did it to help the guys, you and Lynn. I don't take money from someone who's almost family."
"Thank you then very much. And tell the guys I didn't mean to blow up at them, it's not their fault," she gave him a warm smile and headed for the house.
Lynn noticed the look on her sisters’ face as she stepped through the door, "What's wrong?"
Still burning with anger she let her words fly, "Oh it's the Asses father Mister Hayward. He charged us over one hundred and seventy-five dollars for that little bit of lumber! And seventy-five of it was for delivery! Can you believe it? When they're only ten miles down the road!" Slamming her fist on the table rattling everything that was there, "Oohhh! They just tick me off to no end!"
Lynn looked over her shoulder calmly, "Well there isn't anything we can do right now." Hoping to calm her sister. "Someday we'll get even, you'll see."
Dana headed back to her room to brush her hair and put it up in a high pony-tail before returning to the kitchen.
Finally sitting down, Dana picked up her soda. She saw that her hand was still shaking with anger. She almost wished she had something stronger than the Pepsi right now.
Watching her sister work on dinner she commented strongly, "From now on I'll have to pick up anything we need. I'm not going to pay for Mr. Hayward's grudge, especially since we don't even know what it's about!"
Trying to think of a way to distract her sister, Lynn inquired, "is it alright if Bryan stays for dinner?"
Sighing, Dana realized what her sister was up to. With a slight smile, "You know it is. Why even bother asking? I'm not about to turn him away, he's been a great friend." Relaxing a little she added with a teasing smile, "Even if he is ’your’ boyfriend."
"You never know, someday I might marry him," Lynn replied, turning from the stove and smiling in return.
"Oh Lord, I hope so! Then I won't have to do your laundry, and clean up after you." Dana joked knowingly looking around at the mess her sister had made making dinner. It was only hamburgers and beans! How anyone could make such a mess, she’d never know. Taking a deep swallow of the now lukewarm soda she glanced at the clock, "You better get dinner on. I have to leave in less than an hour."
"I know. And Doc Williams will probably be here about the same time. Everything's just about ready anyway. Would you please call Bryan in for me?"
"Sure," she answered, getting up and stepping toward the door. She could see that Bryan was still talking to one of his friends and waved to him trying to get his attention. "Bryan? Time to eat, Lynn will be putting it on the table in a few minutes." At his nod she walked back in to set the table.
Lynn was almost done setting everything out when Bryan walked in to wash up. Both girls noticed how quiet he was as they all sat down to eat. And he had a strange look on his handsome face.
"What's wrong Bryan?" Lynn asked, "you don't seem to have your usual appetite."
"I'm not sure what I should do," he solemnly replied, "Greg asked me not to say anything but...," shaking his head with frustration. "I care about the two of you very much, I'm just not sure."
Smiling at his words Lynn leaned over to give him a kiss on the cheek, "You can tell us, we won't say anything. It's not like I'm going to run out and tell Greg as soon as you leave," she teased.
"Well...," he paused still unsure. He knew what the right thing to do was, no matter the outcome. Looking at Dana he said, "You know that delivery charge? It's only for you and it won't stop even if you do pick it up. He'll find some other way to over-charge you," the anger was clear in his voice.
"I don’t believe it!" Dana roared, slamming her fist on the table once again as she jumped up and started pacing. "We don't even know why!" She stormed toward the door, "I've gotta get out of here. Don't tell Mom, she has enough to worry about."
"You shouldn’t worry too much either. Something will work out." Lynn reassured, watching her sister with concerned eyes.
"See you later Dana," Bryan choked out wishing he could afford to quit his job, he hated having to work for someone who didn't care for anyone but themselves. "Thanks for supper."
"Don't thank me. Lynn made it," she said sneaking a small smile at her sister. "Bye." She stepped through the door heading to the rusty white truck, trying to work some of the frustration off in her stride.
The Ford truck was more rust than white, but it ran and that was all that mattered. After slamming the door, she turned the key and aimed the old truck down the drive. She thought wearily of everything that had happened today. And everything she had to do when she returned home later that night. She just hoped this would be the worst for the day and that it didn't carry over to things at the factory.
