Copperback (17 page)

I
could hear him breathe a sigh of relief, happy to hear that everything had
worked itself out. “That’s great! I’m glad to hear it. I don’t know if I could
have kept working here if I had known something had happened. So why did it
take you so long to say anything? You had me worried for the last few days.”

“I’ve
been back to work and taking care of him. I have my work cut out for me. I’m
sorry I forgot.” I didn’t want to let on that I had enjoyed the last few days
of being with Job. I would never hear the end of it.

“Excuses,
excuses. I think you owe me one. I think I should drop by and get some laundry
done, and I haven’t had a square meal in weeks.”

As
much as I wanted to see my brother, I didn’t want him sharing my time with Job.
I knew if I said no, however, I would have to listen to whining until I gave
in. It would only be one night, and then I could have him to myself again.

“Sure,
but only if you can help me with a few things. I need to know what size you
wear in pants.”

“Are
you going to buy me new jeans? You shouldn’t. How did you know I needed them?”
As much as I just wanted an answer from him and not the repartee, I had missed
it, and laughed along with him.

“They
are for Job. I don’t have a clue what to get. I don’t even know how tall he
is.”

“Well,
of course he is taller than me and maybe a bit smaller around the waist, so I
have no idea. I think you’re on your own with this one. Did you ask him?”

“You’re
a real big help, you know? And no, I didn’t ask him. I wanted to surprise him,
and you better keep your mouth shut about it if you plan on getting anything
out of me.”

“Ok,
ok. Anything else I can help you with?”

“Yeah.
I was wondering about his quick turnaround. Do you know how he might have done
that? I know it wasn’t just by chance that it happened. He did something, but I
have no idea what.”

“Hate
to tell you, but I don’t know, and I don’t think he came with an instruction
manual. Maybe try to look into books about him. I’m sure there has to be
something out there about it.” He sounded just as confused as me.

“Thanks.
I might do that.” I wasn’t sure what store would have the biology of Sayners,
but it was worth a look while I was out.

“Well,
I have to go. Good luck with everything, and see you at dinner.”

At
least talking to Chase wasn’t a useless conversation: I had learned that
Derrick was backing off. It made my life easier to hear he was not going to be
a problem for a while.

The
phone call lasted long enough to get me to town, and I searched for a hock shop
first, before going out to the mall. I finally found one on the corner with its
bright flashing neon stating
We buy gold, platinum and copper
. As run
down as it looked, with its grime-covered, barred windows, and a hand-written
open sign hanging from the door, it would be better than hanging onto the scrap
in my purse. It would be justice for Job and a bit of freedom for me.

Parking
the car around the side, making sure to lock it behind me, I held onto my purse
as tight as possible, worried that at any time someone would take it, along
with the money and bracelet. As much as I was ready to get rid of the bracelet,
a purse snatching was not something I had in mind.

I
had to press the buzzer on the door and wait for it to buzz back, letting me
know it was unlocked. The lights were dimmer than even the ones in my basement,
with the only bright lights reflecting all the jewelry inside the counters – unwanted
treasures or trinkets sold by someone on their last dollar, looking for a quick
fix from financial strain. The shop was stifling hot, with a grimy fan blowing
more dirt than air around. The guy behind the counter smelled nearly as bad as
the place itself. Sweat rolled off the greasy hair pasted to his head. His
glasses were as thick as Coke bottles, and he grinned a toothless smile at me.
It took everything in me to smile back at the repulsive little man as he wiped
a spot of something crusty on his shirt, trying to make himself more attractive
then he could ever be.

“I
have a bracelet that broke, and would like to sell,” I said, trying to remember
to breathe through my mouth and not my nose, hoping to survive the odor around
me.

“I’m
not taking any gold right now. I can’t sell it and no one wants it anymore.” He
wiped his nose with his hand, then sniffled back some mucus, swallowing it down
his throat. My gag reflex was kicking in, and I looked away so the revolting
man wouldn’t make me sick.

“It’s
copper,” I said. “I know it was expensive, but I’m not sure what I can get for
it.”

“Well,
copper I can do.”

I
pulled the chain out of the purse and lay it on the glass top, so I didn’t have
to touch his hands. He picked it up and took off his glasses, putting on
another pair – thicker than the first, with an eyepiece attached. He held it up
across his hand, holding it close to the lighted case, turning it over and
making small grunting sounds as he snorted back again.

Taking
a long instrument, he scratched the surface to make sure it wasn’t plated, and
finally put it back on the counter. He looked up at me, his eyes huge from the thick
panes he was looking through. “Don’t know why you would want to sell it. I can
just fix the clasp, and it would be good as new. I won’t even charge you, since
you look like such a nice girl.” I could see him looking me up and down, hoping
to win me over with some charm he had none of. Wearing the tank may have been a
bad idea.

“No.
I just want to sell it. Call it a relationship gone south.” I didn’t want to
have to explain a made up story.

“Well,
it’s worth a lot more than I can give you for it. I’ll tell you – if you take
it down to the jewelry store on Main Street, they can give you a better deal
for it. I wouldn’t feel right just letting you sell it to me.”

“Thank
you, but just let me know what you can give me, and I’ll think about it.” I
wasn’t planning on thinking about anything. I would take any offer he gave me.
To be rid of it was worth more than the trouble of finding the highest bidder.
Besides, Derrick may have bought it from that very store, and returning his
investment there might raise a red flag or two.

“I
can give you three fifty for it. I would normally only give three, but I don’t
want to rip you off. You’re too pretty to deserve that.” He had stopped with
the eye contact and was talking to my chest. As disgusted as I was, I didn’t
try to stop him. I was getting more out of the piece of junk than expected.

“I’ll
take it. What do I need to do?”

He
asked for my driver’s license, and had me fill out and sign a paper. He counted
out the stack of cash with his grubby fingers, and I quickly placed it in my
purse, keeping from exposing the other wad in my wallet. After the exchange, I
walked out, feeling as though things were finally falling into place. I could
feel a spring in my step as I rounded the car and got back in. I would have
enough to get Job anything he needed, with plenty left over to help him escape.

The
more I thought about it, the more I came to a decision. If he was going to
leave, I would follow in my mom’s footsteps and take him as far as he would let
me. I would have to ask Sally what the best plan of action would be to
accomplish the task. She might know of safe routes and places to stay along the
way to wherever he would be able to have his freedom. I had time to plan, but I
would make the most of my shopping trip preparing for the journey.

After
the pawn shop, I found a big and tall store in the mall, and a gentleman there that
was more than helpful. I told him I was shopping for my brother and gave him
the best idea I could of his size. He pointed me in the direction of many
styles and gave me a basic estimation on what he thought would work. He assured
me anything that didn’t fit could be returned with a receipt. I picked out
three pair that looked like they could be right, and even bought a black
leather jacket they discounted for me just as a friendly gesture of their
hospitality. I wasn’t sure if Job would like any of it, but I hoped the new
wardrobe would help him feel less like a captive and more like a man.

Taking
my bags, I headed out to a shoe store, finding a pair of black leather boots
that matched the jacket. It would be a long time till either one could be used,
but planning ahead made me look forward to the long future he had in front of
him.

The
shirts and accessories were easy; I picked out a few T-shirts and two hooded pullovers
with Penn State emblazoned on the front. One was for me to wear when he was
gone, as a piece of him I could keep forever.

My
arms were sore from carrying the loads of bags I had collected, yet I continued
on, finding a few outfits for myself, using my own money instead of the Job
fund. I also searched a small local book store for more literature for him to
read. He still had not given me an idea of what he wanted, so instead I picked
out an assortment of books, from art to science to fiction. I steered clear of
anything I thought could be offensive and would trigger an unwanted memory.

As
hard as I searched, there were no books on the Sayner. The sliver of a section
dedicated to them was empty, and looked as though it had been for many years.
Next to it was a section with books on the Vesper. There was a large selection
of books – most by Nicholas Franklin, leader of the Vesper and praised hero of
the human race. Taking on a prominent human name, he had been taken in by our
world and assisted scientists on making cures and vaccines against our diseases.
He helped teach us how to create better resources that practically reversed our
dependence on fossil fuels. The world as a whole had become a better place
because of him, but it came with a cost.

He
had voiced his opinion on the Sayner, and almost everyone bought it. We had enslaved
them, tortured them, and even killed them. The world didn’t know Job and how
kind – how intelligent – he was. He may not have the answers to world hunger or
energy crises, but he knew about compassion. It was all I needed.

I
took the books I had collected to the counter and paid for them with my credit
card – another expense I would front. The girl gave me an odd look in my
choices of literature, and I just smiled, letting her know it was for a school
project. I half-dragged the bags back to the car, wishing I had made several
trips instead of one, and placed them in the trunk, pulling out one of the
shirts and stuffing it in my purse so I could give it to Job right away.

I
made my way to the grocery store and loaded up on canned goods and other non-perishable
items that could sit in the heat of the trunk for weeks without going bad. The
rest was to fill my fridge and pantry, since he ate enough for two, and it
looked like Chase would start to make his rounds again. I started the journey
back home, thinking I had forgotten something. Not until I was within minutes
of home did I remember the remote. It had been a joke between us, and the main
reason for the run out. I found one at a local store and made sure to buy
batteries for it.

Upon
getting home, I was exhausted. Looking in the trunk at all the purchases, I
determined which would sit out here and wait, and which I would have to take
inside and put away. Once I had brought everything in I needed to, I looked at
the clock to get an idea of how soon to expect company, and when I should get
dinner rolling. It was already after five. I had been gone far too long, and
Job was probably worried about where I was, after telling him it would just be
a short trip. Leaving everything on the counter except the shirt, I ran down to
see how he was.

He
was sleeping, but the fatigued look he had earlier hadn’t gone away. The
circles were darker under his eyes than before – almost the same as the black
eye he wore for the first week. I didn’t want to disturb him, but I wanted him
to know I didn’t forget about him either. Walking to the side of the bed, I sat
down next to him. I hadn’t studied his features so closely when he was asleep
since the first night. This time he wasn’t as battered as before – and he was
irresistible.

His
cupid bow lips slightly quivered as he slept, dreaming – hopefully of something
pleasant. His eyes were radiant even closed, with full lashes and sculpted
brows. Pieces of his tawny hair fell across his forehead. I was so close I
could feel his light, sweet breath on me, making me lightheaded and relaxed. I
wanted to stare at him for a lifetime – till he sleepily opened his eyes and
saw me there.

I
was only within a few inches of his face – closer than I had been the night we
had slept next to each other. I could see the twinkle of gold flash in his
brown eyes every time they shifted, making wanting to kiss him harder to resist.
I waited a moment, wanting him to make a move closer, but he remained still,
just watching. I bit my bottom lip unintentionally, feeling the adrenaline
coursing through my veins, quickening my pulse.

At
last he turned his face away, sitting himself up, looking away from me. I was
left stunned at his reaction. He had made subtle hints for so long that I was
sure he would take advantage of the moment. Instead I had been rejected, tossed
aside. He had taken what I said to heart and had respected that I wasn’t ready.
I wasn’t sure I wanted to keep it that way any longer.