The Wrong Side of Midnight (7 page)

"Let's just see what happens." Chloe's anxiety was rising. Losing him would be so painful, but having him walk away
and
return everything she'd given him would be
unbearable. No one was more deserving than Matthew…no one.

Matthew was working long hours every day trying to make enough money to carry him over until next spring. His friend John worked some hours at a local hardware store when roofing season ended and only got that job because the owner was a relative. Finding employment was difficult. He'd tried on several occasions to find a job like John's, but he couldn't afford to work for minimum wage. Matthew wasn't about to let his father's roofing company go belly up. He was hoping for heavy snowfall this winter, even though plow hours were
nasty. Trying to juggle crazy shifts, with caring for his father, wasn't an easy thing to do. Sometimes he worked all night and slept very little. It was grueling, but at least he could catch up on some bills. No matter what it took, Matthew was willing to do anything to take care of his father.

∞  ∞  ∞  ∞

Chloe called Sherry and agreed to start her new job. She didn't know how hard the work would be, but it was a new experience for her. Becky called before her shift was to start.

"You're going to get up every morning at seven-thirty?"

"I get up at seven, but it doesn't bother me. I'm just so excited to actually have a real job!"

"I take it she knows your real name then? Did she agree to keep it quiet?"

"It wasn't much of an application. She doesn't have my real name."

"Chloe, there's a thing called taxes."

"She's paying me cash for just a couple days a week. I won't even make enough money to pay taxes. Besides, Sherry is doing the best she can. She loves her tenants, throws no one out, and works with people. She owns the building, so I'm not worried about it."

"Matthew still hasn't figured out who you are?"

"No, but that'll happen any day now."

"Let me guess, you sent him money?"

"Not quite…" Chloe explained as much as she could with the little time she had left before work.

"I'm proud of you, love. You're such a good person. If and when he does find out, I'll be behind you a hundred percent."

∞  ∞  ∞  ∞

Sherry had a hot cup of coffee in her hand and held it out for Chloe. She gratefully accepted it and sat at
the table with her new boss. She wrote down the tasks she had to do, then set off to find the supply closet. Being in the hallway gave her a headache at first, but after a short while she didn't notice the smells. She got to know some of the tenants when they went in and out of their apartments. They were all kind.

While Chloe cleaned, her mind churned. Even though she knew that keeping Matthew wasn't going to be an option once he found out, it hurt her just the same. Preparing herself for such a horrible loss was so
hard,
and just the thought of it brought her to tears.

She cleaned meticulously, and Sherry was very impressed. What she didn't know was that Chloe was
trying to clean off her
own
black marks. That's exactly what she'd become in Matthew's eyes. A big black mark…
Please, just let him get the truck before he leaves.

At the end of her day, Sherry approached her with a look of concern.

"Did I do something wrong? I'm new at this, so if I messed up, I'll go back and fix it."

"No, dear.
Can you come and sit for a minute?"

Chloe sat down on the edge of her seat in the office, not because of the dirt on the fabric, but because of sheer nerves.

"What's bothering you, Chloe?"

"Nothing's wrong, I'm just tired I guess."

"Listen, no matter what it is, you can come and talk to me."

"I'm okay, Sherry. I'll keep that in mind." Chloe wasn't looking forward to the impact her deceit was going to have on these people she cared about. She wasn't even honest to Matthew about her parents or her best friend's real identity.

Chloe opened the door to her apartment and then slid to the floor. Maybe she wouldn't be able to keep the new wonderful feelings she'd gotten from people accepting and loving her, but at least she now knew what it felt like. For that, she was thankful.

Chapter 6

Matthew didn't get his lunch break until two o'clock, and he was famished. Being across town made it impossible for him to stop home, grab some food, and then be back at the job site in thirty minutes. He hurried out of the house, late again, and was unable to pack himself a lunch. His father was taking more time in the mornings to get up and take his treatment. His coughing spells were lasting longer, worrying Matthew so much. He wanted to take him to the doctors, but his father
refused due to the medical bills that were piling up.

It'd be three more days before he was able to pay himself and the crew, but he needed food and his lunch break was almost over.
Hopefully there're a few bucks in the account.
Pulling up at an ATM, Matthew used his debit card to check his balance and pull out ten bucks if he could. Fifty thousand, thirty-seven dollars on the receipt under '
balance
' made Matthew crack up.
Are you kidding me?!
Even though it was a rush to see that kind of money, he knew better than to touch it.
The bank made a gross error and would demand every cent of it back
.
Man that looked amazing, even though it wasn't mine.
Shaking his head, he
took his ten dollars and headed to a drive-through. He wouldn't bother calling the bank; they'd be quick about recovering that amount of money.
I can't wait to show this to Chloe. She'll laugh as hard as I did.

∞  ∞  ∞  ∞

Chloe was glad to be working. Her anxiety about this contest was making her crazy. She was tempted to call the dealership and find out what the delay was. While she was vacuuming the long hall, she felt her phone vibrate on her hip. It was Bob, letting her know the truck was in. She opened the door to the supply
closet so her call wouldn't be overheard, and so no one could see her jumping up and down with excitement.

"Mail the congratulations letter to Matthew. Get it here through same day mail. The thousand bucks will help cover the postage. Make sure you have his address correct because I want the truck over here tonight around eight."

"Am I still delivering it? If I do, who'll drive me back to work?"

"That's your problem. Make the whole thing look official." Chloe wouldn't have been so mean if Bob wouldn't have wanted
extra
favors for helping her.

"My brother can follow me. He's not going to be too happy about going to that neighborhood."

"Bob! Figure it out, but first, get to the post office!" Chloe hung up the phone, hoping the creep wouldn't mess this up.

She stepped out of the supply closet trying to look normal. The huge grin on her face wasn't easy to cover up. Matthew was going to blow up once he found out she was behind all the help, but that was okay. Her main concern was to make life easier for two people who deserved it.

∞  ∞  ∞  ∞

At six-thirty that evening, Chloe heard the heavy footsteps of someone running down the hall. Before she could go out to investigate, Matthew slung her door open with a letter in his hand.

"I won!! I won, I won,
I
won!!!" His eyes were water-filled.

"You won the contest for that truck?"

"Yes!" Matthew picked her up and swung her around. "I can't thank you enough, Chloe. If it wasn't for you bringing me the entry and talking me into filling it out, this wouldn't have happened. My dad is happier than I am if that's even possible. They're delivering it this evening!" He kissed her deeply.

Chloe was so relieved her plan worked and that he was getting a new, safe vehicle. But when Matthew kissed her, she couldn't help but feel like he was kissing her goodbye.

At eight o'clock, Matthew's phone rang. Chloe was trying to act as nonchalant as she could.

"I'll come down. Thanks, Sherry."

"Is everything okay?" Chloe hoped it was Bob.

"Maybe it's about my new truck. Sherry called to tell me a man is downstairs requesting to see me."

"I'll come with you."

Matthew held her hand down to the lobby. There stood Bob in a brown suit, and he even combed his hair.

"Are you Matthew Sharp?"

"Yes, I am. Can I help you?"

"Come with me, please." Bob walked outside and smiled as he held the truck key out to Matthew.

"Oh my God!"

"Congratulations, sir. Enjoy be the winner, and thanks for entering."

Matthew ran to the new pickup, and while he was climbing up behind the wheel, Chloe handed Bob the thousand dollars she had stuffed in her jeans.

"I have to get back to the office.
Best of luck, Mr. Sharp."

As Bob drove off with another man, Matthew ran around to the other side of the truck and held the door open for Chloe.

"Climb in, babe! We're going for a drive!"

They drove around for a good hour, testing it on the highway and cruising slowly down the streets. Matthew looked so happy and proud.

"You have no idea how close my old truck is to dying. I can't believe this!"

They stopped by John's apartment to show him the truck, and the next day, Matthew was beyond happy driving it to work. The crew congratulated him over and over, knowing no one deserved this more. They knew that Matthew paid
himself last to make sure everyone had money to put food on their tables, gave them time off when situations arose, and thanked them every day for their hard work. The men who worked for him were like family, and they knew of his struggles and were careful not to complain about raises and health insurance. Even though Matthew did everything he could for his crew, he wouldn't blame them if they quit for a better paying job with benefits.

Because the new truck got better gas mileage, Matthew wouldn't be sinking so much money into the tank. Every few extra dollars would help to pay the bills. He had to rely on his income to keep him and his father above water. Public assistance
seemed the best way to go to help with the medical care expenses. But when Matthew tried to fill out the paperwork on his own, the whole process turned out to be a vicious circle. Ultimately he was refused. Conner was furious when he found out. In his father's mind, there were folks much worse off and who deserved the help more. What Matthew didn't know was that his father had a five hundred thousand dollar life insurance policy he bought after he got married. When he died, which Conner knew would be soon, Matthew wouldn't be dragged down by medical bills and could have a clean start. He just hoped his time to go came quickly.

∞  ∞  ∞  ∞

On a clear Sunday, Matthew went to the grocery store and found a small roast on sale. He had a great idea to cook a nice dinner for Chloe and his father. He was hoping he still remembered how to make one. Conner's eyebrows rose when he saw the meal ingredients.

"
Matthew, that
must have been expensive!"

"Not really. Everything was on sale, and besides, I'm not dumping every spare dime into the gas tank anymore."

The two men laughed and talked while the meal was being prepared.
The kitchen, even with all the cigarette smoke, smelled good. Hopefully it'd taste as good as it smelled.

Conner thumbed through the paper while Matthew cut up the salad. He was ecstatic to see his son in love and so happy. He thought Josie had ruined him for good. Chloe was such a sweet girl and would hopefully become a member of the family. Even in Matthew's last relationship, his happiest days were nothing compared to the ones he experienced with Chloe. 

After finishing with the sports and news sections, Conner thought he'd get some kicks out of reading about the social elite. The big photograph of Earl and Sylvia
Burlington holding shovels for a groundbreaking ceremony made Conner shake his head.
Africa. Why not do something in America?
The article was huge, describing Burlington Enterprises and the contributions that were made to different organizations. The ceremony was for a new school.
Detroit just closed three schools because the repairs were too great.
He was getting ticked off.

Then he saw it; underneath was a photograph of Chloe Burlington, the young heiress. It went on to tell about her recent breakup from Edmund Lauer, and how she was one of the wealthiest women her age. The picture showed a smug-looking young man sitting next to Chloe.
There was no mistaking who she was. Conner felt like his heart was going to stop. The last thing his son needed was to get more involved with a woman who'd never find him good enough. After struggling with his decision, he folded the paper back and set it on the table.

"Matthew, come over here for a minute."

"Just a second.
Let me get this salad tossed."

"Come here, please, son."

Matthew turned around and looked at his father's serious expression. He knew something was wrong. Slowly, he walked to him.

"Matthew, I want you to look at something. Promise me you'll keep a straight head."

"Dad, what's wrong?"

Conner turned the photos around to face his son. Matthew picked up the paper and sat down in the chair. Conner watched his son's brow furrow and jaws tighten while every word was read.

Matthew got up and took the roast out of the oven. He sliced a piece for his father, gave him some potatoes, carrots, and salad, and then calmly carried the plate and sat it down on the table. He shut the stove off and then walked out of the door without a word. Matthew went down to Sherry's office and asked to use her computer. He pulled up his and his father's account and saw the cash deposit of fifty thousand dollars. He called the twenty-four hour banking
center and inquired about the deposit. There wasn't an error. The depositor was Chloe Burlington. He calmly hung up. Next he called the dealership and asked to speak to the manager. The last contest they held was over New Years. He walked out of the office and thanked Sherry. Opening the passenger side of the new truck, Matthew got out all the paperwork. Chloe Burlington was on all the signed papers. He found the proof of insurance, good for five years, and the policy was signed by Chloe Burlington.

Matthew walked back up to his apartment and wrote out a check for fifty-thousand dollars, payable to Chloe Burlington. With the truck key in his hand, he walked down the hall
and knocked on the door.
That's what strangers do.

Chloe was just getting out of the tub when she heard the knock. It couldn't be Matthew, he had his own key. Whoever it was would hopefully go away. She wanted to look nice this evening for dinner with Matthew and Conner. She was super excited. She never had a guy cook dinner for her before. She wished she could have watched him prepare it. Her bet was that the cute roofer of hers would look even more adorable. The knocking wasn't stopping. She found a conservative dress that wasn't too short and then stood in the mirror trying to decide how to fix her hair. The knocking persisted.
Go away! Don't people get
it when no one comes to the door they don't want to answer or they're not home?!
Firmly setting the hairbrush on the vanity, Chloe went to the door and flung it open. She was going to let whoever it was have a piece of her mind.

Their eyes met. The look on Matthew's face sent a chill down Chloe's spine. Hopefully Conner was okay. Just when she was about to ask what was wrong, it occurred to her that he hadn't used his key. If something was wrong with his father he would have opened the door on his own. His breathing was loud, his face reddened, and every vein in his neck and temple was visible and throbbing. Seeing him enraged like
this was frightening to say the least. Chloe quickly averted her eyes.

"Hello, Chloe Burlington. It's nice to meet
ya
…."

"Oh God, Matthew.
I can explain—"

"Go back to your mansion, Miss Burlington. I don't need to be your pathetic charity case anymore. On your way out of the projects, get the hell out of my life. Take your damn truck with you." Matthew didn't raise his voice. He calmly placed the apartment key she'd given him, the truck key, and the check on the floor in front of Chloe.

"I'm so sorry! I'm the same person you—"

"Yep, the same person in the newspaper.
Go back to
your
side of
the tracks." Matthew closed the door behind him. She heard the old pickup start, and listened as it drove away.

Chloe crumbled to the floor.

∞  ∞  ∞  ∞

She lay in her bed sobbing. The walls were closing in, and Chloe was having
a hard
time breathing. With trembling hands, she called Becky.