Chapter 1

Madison, Conneticut

Isabel Riley Montgomery was cleaning off a table that a couple had just vacated. She couldn't believe that just two people could be so messy. She was humming the tune to her favorite Beatles song, "Yesterday", as she put the plates in the dish pan, then walked back to the kitchen. She was only twenty years old and already had a nine-to-five job. Wishing that she could go home and tell her parents all about her life and job, Isabel couldn't. You see, her parnts were killed in a horrific car accident, caused by a drunk driver.

"We'll be back around nine. Be sure to have Isabel in bed by eight. The emergency numbers and our cell number is on the refrigerator if you ever need us for anything." her mother instructed the babysitter.

"I'm sure we won't, will we, Izzy?", she asked Isabel, who was standing beside her. The little girl shook her head.

"We'll be back, sweetie." She bent down to kiss her on the forehead and left with her husband to go to the fanciest restaurant in town. Now, Kansas wasn't known for their finest places to go on a date, but they did have their fair share of nice places to eat.

Hours later, they were coming home. Nancy leaned over to turn the radio up since there was nothing but silence. She could not stand silence. Nancy looked over at David.

"I hope they were alright."

"I'm sure they were. Casey seems like a trusting girl to take care of our precious daughter."

They then turned to a see a car coming in their lane. Nancy shrieked as David tried to pull out of the way but lost control and went across the two lanes and crashed into a guardrail, causing both of them to become unconscious. They were pronounced dead by the time they reached the hospital. The doctor found their home number in David's wallet and called the house to let the girls know what had happened.

"Is this the Montgomery home?", the doctor asked as Casey picked up the phone.

"Yes. I'm babysitting the Montgomery's daughter."

"I'm sorry to inform you, miss, but her parents died in a car wreck."

"Oh, my gosh. What happened?"

"They were killed by a drunk driver swerving into their lane, causing them go over two lanes and crash into the guardrail. They had major injuries and lost a lot of blood. They did not make it. I'm sorry."

"I understand. I'll let her know."

With that, Casey hung up and called Isabel into the room. Isabel skipped merrily into the room.

"Um," She had her to sit down. Telling that a child's parents died to a five year old was not easy for Casey to do. "Mommy and daddy will not be coming home tonight."

"Why?"

"They died tonight. In a car wreck."

Tears began to come down Isabel's cheek.

"I'm sorry you had to find out. Come here."

She pulled her into a tight hug, tears coming down her own cheeks.

Isabel moved from home to home until the age of eighteen. She found a cheap apartment to live in near the restaurant. She loved working there.

The bell above the door rang as two guys walked into the restaurant; one was tall and had short, scraggly, brown hair, the other was a little shorter than him, and had close-cropped hair. They went over to one of the booths and sat down. She made her way over to the booth.

"Hi guys. What can I get you to drink?"

"I'll have a Coke.", said one of the guys.

"I'll have water.", answered the other one.

"Okay, I'll be back." She went back to the kitchen to make their drinks.

"I think she likes you, Sam."

"Shut up. No she doesn't."

With the kitchen being so close to the dining area, she couldn't help but eavesdrop on the men's conversation. She did seem to think that he was a little cute. The drinks were filled as she brought them over.

"Now, what can I get you to eat?"

"I'll have a burger and fries."

"I'll just have a burger.", responded the guy, who's name was obviously, Sam.

"Alrighty, I'll have those up in just a second."

"C'mon, Sam. She does like you."

"Shut up! I'm not ready to see anyone yet. Not after what happened, you know, with Jessica."

"Dude, that was in the past."

"I know. But I was gonna ask her to marry me in a couple of weeks. And what happens? She blows up in my face, literately."

"You gotta stop wallowing in it. It's gonna do major damage to your health."

"Whatever."

Isabel came back with their food, along with the check. Attached to the check, was a little slip of white paper clipped to the mini clipboard. She smiled at him as she walked back to the kitchen.