Chasing Hearts



  Chasing Hearts

  By Melody Hope

  Copyright 2015 Melody Hope

 

 

 

  Based on a true story

 

  CHAPTER ONE

  "Ye-haw!" Jay yells, sticking his head out the window as Daniel pulls out from his drive

  Into the middle of the isolated dirt road, making a fast donut. He was just about to

  straighten back out when they heard the sirens just around the corner.

  “What'cha do this time Daniel?" Jay asks in his strong country accent.

  "Ah, speeding through town," Daniel replies.

  Jay sighs. "Such a shame, that's all it has to take now."

  As the cop car appears from around the corner Daniel puts the car into reverse, he

  drives it backwards up the road, hitting about fifty miles per hour. Right before coming to

  the next turn, he hits the brakes, sliding the car around and speeding off onto the next

  road.

  "My man!” Jay yells out with a big smile. “How in world do you out run those same cops,

  let's say... every other day and still get away with it ?"

  Daniel only smiles at him.

  They drive across an abandoned farm and decide to take advantage of it to hide

  themselves and the car in the run down barn until the coast was clear.

  Daniel embraces the wide open country. More of a dare devil street boy. Dark thick hair,

  his eyes always a mystery and his dimples at the side of his face when he smiles,

  jackets and plain blue jeans kind of guy.

  Jay was the pure hillbilly through and through, with his ripped jeans and T- shirts. His

  red hair was never combed and you could barely make out his sweet freckled cheeks

  with all that dirt! He was content with life as It was.

  They could make out the sirens fading in the distance, and they knew that the coast

  was clear. They pulled out slowly into the light and continued on their drive.

  "How's Delilah?" Daniel asks. Jay just groans and sets his feet on he dash. "I don't

  know man. There are things that bug her and I have to CHANGE if our relationship is to

  go farther."

  "You love her Jay, I never heard the end of it when you first met her. What’s the big

  deal?"

  Jay hesitated. "Um my.... hygiene."

  Daniel suppresses a laugh and gives him a big smile. "Now that's a dilemma."

 

  Daniel is nineteen and still living at home. He knows he is late for his curfew. It usually

  isn't a big deal anymore but he could tell that something was off as soon as he pulls into

  the drive way since all the house lights are on.

  "We need to talk son." Daniel sees his aging parents sitting together on the couch as he

  walks through the door. "We got a visit from sheriff Conner. He wanted to know who the

  young man driving our car was."

  "I haven't done anything wrong." Daniel keeps his cool taking the seat facing across

  them.

  "I'm just warning you.” Daniel’s dad scowls him. “You get caught there is nothing I can

  do. OK? Conner is not just the sheriff around here but was my best friend. This is

  humiliating! Not just for me, but for your mother. You're our boy."

  Daniel gets up, about to walk away. "Then why weren't you ever there for me dad?

  Hmm? Think about that." Running up the flight of stairs, he can hear his dad calling to

  him, trying to get him to talk; as usual, it wouldn't get anywhere, so why try?

  "Son!"

 

  Looking at the highlighted marks of job openings from the newspaper he thought over

  what he wanted for about a week, but now Daniel was sure on what he wanted to do.

  He was lost in thought until it was broken by a knock at his door. He threw the paper

  under his pillow.

  "Daniel?" His sweet, tired looking mom peers through the door. He sits up so she could

  have a seat next to him and hold his hands.

  "Daniel, I'm sorry. You're a good young man. I can see that. You are exactly like my

  brothers were at this age. Have you thought about maybe finding something other than

  street racing through town to take out your frustration?"

  It was the perfect time to bring the job opening up. "Actually, I want to see about this

  position." He pulls out the paper and shows her. "I'd be working in a car factory."

  Seeing his mom smile meant the world to him. She touches his face. "I'm so proud of

  you."

  Maybe things will start working out for the best he was thinking when he notices the

  slightest bruise on his mom’s arm.

  "He hit you again."

  "No, it's fine, Daniel. He will change. He loves me."

  "Mom listen. He will never change. He hit you! You have to stop buying him the alcohol.

  That's only going to make It worse."

  She reaches out to him sympathetically. "You don't understand. He will make me get

  him more if he runs out. It could be midnight. I still would have to." Daniel shakes his

  head. "It's not right."

  They sit in silence for a minute before she kisses his forehead. "Don't worry about me,

  and maybe you should think about getting that job before it's too late.”

  "Good night," She whispers before heading to the door.

  "Goodnight mom."

 

  "Why did you need me to pick you up exactly?" Jay asks, confused.

  "Got into some trouble last night and I can't chance using my parents car."

  "So I'm driving a fugitive around!" Jay laughs, hoping to lighten the mood. "How have

  things been?"

  Daniel sighs. "They could be better. What’s wrong with this world? True love never tries

  and fake love never gives up. It's so messed up!"

  Jay is taken aback. "Excuse me?"

  "Oh sorry not with you Jay."

  Jay snorts "I was going to say that I talked things over with Delilah. I knew it was time."

  Daniel shoots a look at him. “You're clean shaved!"

  "Yup! I know what I want and so does Delilah. A family and a farm. So what's the wait? I

  was going to propose tonight."

  "Wow, you, a dad and a farmer! I'm happy for you Jay."

  "Here we are. You can drop me off here and I'll give you a call later. Good luck with

  Delilah!"

  "Thanks man." Jay reaches over the seat and gives him a good gripped hand shake.

  Daniel watches him pull away before heading in to the car factory.

 

  CHAPTER TWO