‘I need a job. Any job. Anything will do. Just something so that I can put food on the table. Please anything. Anything. Wait, was that?!?’

I didn’t hesitate. I just went. I was throwing my bag to the ground and dove into the pond in front of me. ‘I need to get there. Five…three…one…’

“Thank you! Oh my goodness! Thank you so much!!”

I sat catching my breath as the frantic mother clutches onto her sputtering child. ‘I made it. I made it.’ “Not a problem. Just always make sure to have an eye on your child at all times. It doesn’t always end like this.” I gave the mother a reassuring nod and then started to walk back to my bag. Hopefully it was still there; my whole possible livelihood was in that bag.

It wasn’t just where I had thrown it; it was neatly placed upon a bench, but also a small hand towel and a card placed next to my bag. The card read, “Mr. Stone. CEO. Juniper Aquatic Center. Always hiring.” ‘Is this really happening?!? I desperately needed a job and I’m handed an opportunity just like that…?’ No matter how this happened; I am so thankful. Not that the kid almost drowned, but that I was offered a job based on my efforts.

.-.-.

Well safe to say I was hired. Mr. Stone was there that day at the pond. He was amazed and surprised that I just went. I dropped everything and saved the kid without any real reason to do it. But I didn’t agree with that statement; saving a life should always be done without a reason. You should just do it. But not everyone knows how the family feels if they loose a loved one.

Working here was a job. And it wasn’t the best paying job, but I was able to put food on the table. That was all that mattered. I was told that when Summer came I would get a raise, because more heat means more kids.

I would show up at five in the morning and leave around six at night. Mr. Stone knew of my situation, so he allowed me to work two extra hours a day in the off season. Those two hours made a huge difference.

Life began to just blur together. Every day bled into another. Summer was almost here. The long hours would stop, but the raise would make up for those extra hours and give me an additional two more. I had plans for that extra money. Life was becoming good.

“Hey Stella?”

“Yeah?” I set the trash bags I was carrying down and turned.

Mr. Stone stood in front of me with a guy maybe my age. First impression: confident.

“This is my best employee, Jacob. He will start tomorrow. You both will be on rotation together. Stella, you’ve not connected with any of the other employees so I decided Jacob would show you the ropes for the Summer season. It’s been extremely mellow lately; that will change in the pool and on deck. Probably tomorrow. The crowds will probably be on the heavier side of females, with this one showing up again.” Mr. Stone thumbed at Jacob. Jacob smirked.

‘Yeah. Definitely confident. Maybe even cocky.’

“No problem Mr. Stone. Nice to meet you Jacob. Let me finish this task and then you can go over the changes I need to know,” I didn’t wait for a response. I just turned back around and continued with my trash run. ‘I’ll need to keep a distance from that one.’

“She’s a hard worker. It will be easy to work with her,” Mr. Stone said just as Stella left the building.

…—-…

Mr. Stone was not lying. It seemed like the moment Jacob stepped on the deck, a swarm of girls came out of the cracks and engulfed him. I kept my distance. I didn’t want to get in between a girl and her meal. That’s what it seemed like, anyways. I couldn’t read if Jacob liked all the attention or if he was annoyed by it all. But I knew his eyes were not on the water around us. So I kept my eyes peeled open and watched every spec of that pool.

No kid was going down on my watch, and just like that, I saw arms flaying. I whistled before diving into the pool. The kid was maybe three years old. No where near old enough to be swimming alone. The tiny arms clutched onto my neck as I carried him over to the deck. But no one came to him. Breathing a little hard, “where’s your parent? You’re not old enough to swim alone.” The boy pointed off a distance to a mom sunbathing.

I don’t know how or why, but before I could march over there and give that mom a piece of my mind, Jacob showed up and took hold of the kid. “Go back to your post.”

“But…she…”

“Go.”

I didn’t argue. I just bent down to the child. “Please be careful in the future. Only one lifeguard was watching the pool. If you are struggling, ask for help from some closer to you.” I stood. Patted the kid’s head, and stared at Jacob for a split second to let him know I was criticizing him, and went back to my post.

“Good work today Stella. You saved that kid. You have a knack for getting to the kid in time. I’m so glad I was there that day at the pond. More kids lives will be saved this Summer.”

“Thanks Mr. Stone.” I felt all the glares from the other employees. I didn’t feel anything from Jacob, but I didn’t really care. I wasn’t here to make friends. I was here to make money to buy food and daily life necessities. Nothing more.

Walking home always felt weird. I always felt like I was being watched or followed. Maybe since I watched a followed everyone every day, that maybe I deserved it when I was off the clock. But it was extra eerier tonight. I could sense someone coming closer. I don’t spook easily, but I was spooked. So I turned and started to hightail it back. But I ran smack into a shoulder of someone. The stranger caught me before I tumbled backwards.

“Thank you. Sorry. Sorry,” I walked around the stranger and quickly walked back to the closest bus station. One bus ride wouldn’t hurt the bank once. I didn’t even glance at the stranger I had bumped into. But their presence probably made my stalker retreat.

.-.-.

Being stalked took a lot of my energy these days. I would leave as soon as possible and I would run about three miles before getting on the bus. Shorter bus ride was cheaper. I needed to save every extra penny.

“Why do you run everyday? Was work not hard enough for you?” Jacob was waiting for me.

‘Great. I didn’t know what he wanted. But I didn’t have time for this.’ “I don’t have time for this. I need to get going.”

“Why don’t you just take the bus?”

“I do. Just three miles farther down. Two dollars is still two dollars.” Why was I telling him this. He didn’t care.

“I guess that makes sense. Can you walk today? I’ll walk with you too, I’ve got to go this way anyways; and some company would be nice.”

I didn’t want to talk to him. I had nothing in common with Jacob. This job was everything to me, whereas to him it seemed like this job was an easy way to get girls numbers. “Fine. I’m tired today anyways. But in three miles you are on your own.”

“Cool.”

We walked in silence. I didn’t want to talk to him, so if he didn’t talk I wouldn’t either. That eerie feeling was here again. The stalker was getting braver; they were watching me with Jacob around. I started looking around. Checking over my shoulder, searching around.

“What are you doing?”

“Nothing.” I didn’t want him to think I needed saving.

The three miles was over, and I waited at the bus stop. Jacob was still staying with me.

“You can go now. The bus will be here soon.”

“Oh. Okay. See you tomorrow,” Jacob walked off.

Why did it seem like he didn’t want to leave. Was he expecting me to fawn all over him like how every other girl did. I didn’t have that luxury.

“Why was Jacob with you?”

I turned to see a few of Jacob fan girls. Also a few of my coworkers. They were silent fans. This is why I wanted to stay away from him. “No reason. We were walking in the same direction. But he just left that way.”

“Why would he be around you. You are pathetic. Ugly. A waste of space.” The girls all chuckled together.

I didn’t want to answer back. What was the point. Where was the bus?

“Answer me!”

‘Just ignore them. Don’t react.’ SLAP! Punch. Shoved. Falling. Kicking my ribs, shins, arms. ‘Stop!! Please stop!!’ Pain. Then all I heard was people scattering. I couldn’t seem to pull myself up.

“Sweetie, you okay?”

Arms were lifting me up. I was still clutching my bag, that was the only strength I had.

“Let’s get you on the bus. I know your stop. You just rest.”

…—…

Today was going to be miserable. I could barely hold myself upright. I had taken two days off after the incident. Mr. Stone had come to my house to see what was wrong the second day, he knew why I worked so hard. So me taking a day off was strange. When I had opened the door he knew why in an instant. He had given me the two days as paid vacation. Which I’m grateful because I couldn’t actually afford those two days off. And today I wasn’t on lifeguarding duty. I was answering the phone in the office. Being in a chair was more bare able. Jacob kept glancing at me when he would walk by the office. ‘This was all because of him. Leave me alone. Give your attention to your fans. Not me.’

Break time was now my peace time. It was no longer a time for me to try and work more. I just leaned against a wall and closed my eyes. Letting my body slowly melt into a comfortable position.

“What happened to you?”

I jumped. And then I was in pain again. Big burning pain in my ribs. I grasped them.

Jacob saw that movement.

“Nothing. Please, just leave me alone.” Just then a group of Jacob fans came into view. ‘No. It was them.’ “Please go. Leave me alone. I can’t be seen with you. Please.” I’ve never begged anyone before. I think I felt worse now because of that.

Jacob looked in the direction of girls, and stood.

‘Yes. Please leave.’

But Jacob didn’t leave. Instead I looked around and more people had showed up. There were people everywhere encircling us. ‘No.’

I tried to stand to leave, but Jacob grabbed my wrist. “She is my person. Anyone who messes with her is no friend or fan of mine. People who beat or pick on another are disgusting to me. Don’t ever let me find out about this happening again.” Jacob turned to me and asked quietly, “can you walk?”

I nodded.

So Jacob walked with me in tow out of the building. I didn’t know if this was going to help me or hurt me. But at least they wouldn’t bother me today.

After that day Jacob had kept his promise. He made it very known to people that I was his person. Not a girlfriend, but his friend. I didn’t realize how nice it was to be his friend. No one bothered me at work, after work, or ever. I guess people were more worried about pissing off Jacob than worrying about my relationship with him. Which there was no relationship. I couldn’t think about anything more. I had too much on my plate.

Once again the days blurred together. Days bled into each other. But I think my days were easier and filled with more laughter now that Jacob walked with me. Only to the bus stop, but it was nice to chat about random things for that short period of time.

But today, those days changed. The bus fare raised in price and I could no longer afford the bus. So I had to walk the whole way home. Again I was walking with Jacob. He was rambling on about something. I needed to ask him a question. ‘Just do it!’ “Jacob will you walk me all the way home?”

He stopped. “What?”

“I can’t take the bus home anymore. Will you walk me home?”

“Umm…no. I’m not your boyfriend. We are just friends. I’m just walking with you everyday because this is on the way to my girlfriend’s house. We good? I’m gonna get going now. See you tomorrow.”

‘Wow. I didn’t realize I was just a person of connivence. That we actually weren’t friends. I thought we had at least become friends.’ But instead I was probably just a way for him to get away from all the other fan girls. Keep his girlfriend happy. I didn’t know what I was feeling…

“Maybe I can help you…”

The eerie feeling was back. But this time I could feel the presence behind me. Turning I knew it was over…

…

Jacob

Why did she have to throw me off guard? Why did she have to ask me to walk her home? Why did I have to lie to her about having a girlfriend? I wanted to walk her home everyday. Why did I have to be such an idiot? I’ll tell her the truth tomorrow.

“Beep beep beep” I checked my phone. ‘What? No…!?’

Everyone was in black. I only recognized Mr. Stone and a couple coworkers. I saw a business like woman at the front; next to a young woman and a child. ‘Strange to bring a kid to a funeral.’ Strange to be at a funeral. Strange to be at a funeral of a girl you missed your chance with.

“Hello Jacob. I didn’t know if I would see you here. Especially after your last conversation with Stella. I accidentally overheard your conversation. I had driven up to offer you both a ride when I got a smidge of what was said. So instead I just drove off; I wish I had offered her a ride.”

“What are you talking about? Why would that have made a difference?”

“You don’t know. After your conversation with Stella, is about the time she met her stalker. Apparently the stalker had been following her for about six months. He had backed off a bit when you started walking with her more and more, but he confessed to hearing your conversation and he ramped up his stalking to meeting her in person. He says he didn’t mean to hurt her, but that she wouldn’t listen to his reasonings for watching her in the shadows.”

‘Wait what? She was stalked? For months. He backed off because of me. But then he acted because of me. Because I lied to her that day. I left her there. I left her on that street. I left her…’ I had no words. I didn’t know how to respond. To the revelation that if I hadn’t been a coward that day, Stella would still be here. She’d be looking at my under scrutiny. She would be ignoring all my failed hints of hitting on her. She might have given me a chance. She might have…

“Don’t beat yourself up too much Jacob. If anything, you should feel sorry for that little girl over there.”

The little girl was still sitting in the front pew. She hadn’t moved this whole time. ‘Why feel bad for her?’

“That’s Stella’s whole world right there. Her daughter.”

“What!?!”

“I’m not surprised you didn’t know. She didn’t even want me to know, but she had to give me a good enough reason to give her the extra hours in the beginning. It being that she was trying to hire a full time nanny for her kid. So that she didn’t have to be in daycare every day of her life. I thought that was a good enough reason.”

“What? Why? How? What?” Stella had a kid. A daughter. A daughter that looked to be about three years old. She’s had a kid this whole time. That’s why she never had time. Why she always pinched pennies. Why she was so cautious around me. “Is the father still…”

“No. Sadly Susie has no other family. At least any family that wants her. Her father is just that. A man that brought a kid into the world that didn’t want her. And Stella’s family has nothing to do with Stella after the fatal incident when Stella was young.”

“Accident?”

“Stella’s twin brother drowned when they were six. The parents were not paying attention and Stella was too small to hold her brother up. But it still all managed to be Stella’s fault. At least that’s what the parents told everyone at the time. Stella truly had a difficult life. But she managed to keep herself afloat. Even when she became a mom. She persevered. But Stella’s poor kid. She’ll probably be put into foster care.”

I don’t know what came over me, but I walked over to the business dressed woman and started the conversation that would change my life forever.

…10 Years Later…

“Dad? Where is my softball jacket? I can’t find it anywhere!”

“Umm Susie, look around your waist,” I chuckled as I saw the realization come across her face; realizing that the sweater was tied around her. “Please tell me you do this just to keep me on my toes.”

“Of course, Dad. I knew it was there the whole time.”

‘Liar.’ “You got everything you need for camp?”

“Yep! All packed and ready to go. Just waiting for Lisa and Jen’s mom to…”

‘Honk! Honk! Honk!’

“That’s them Dad. Got to go!”

“Wait a second. Didn’t you forget something?”

She ran back into the room for a big squeezing hug. “Love you Dad.” And just like that she was gone.

It’s been ten years since that day I told the agent I would be applying for custody of Susie. She was not impressed that day, but was on the day I was approved. All my friends thought I was crazy. Taking a kid in, that wasn’t related to me. But I had to. Because that little girl needed to be brought up with love; not just any love, unconditional love. Just like her mom had done for her. Stella’s world was Susie, and now I can say that Susie is mine.

…The End…