Chapter Three
Three long weeks in the worst heat wave Virginia had seen in decades, Itachi searched for open doors. The temperatures entering July were already in the triple digits. Itachi had a total of twenty three interviews the week prior after waiting for phone calls, yet nothing had been decided and he noticed his money was running low. The church in the city was his source for lunch, where he enjoyed giving financial advice to some of the homeless men and women there. He started off being shy about second helpings until he realized he was spending too many nights hungry since the Union Mission only had a limited amount for their dinner service times. Sasuke had called to let him know the family was out of the country for a month. Itachi had not told him he was not working yet.
I really need to land something soon, or my money will be completely out and I need to make my rent. I've stalled management for payment, so this month has to produce or else I'm on the street. Lying down he looked at his watch and realized the dollar store purchase was running slower than the clock in the room.
Well, guess I need some batteries for this thing. Smiling he drifted off to sleep with the stress of needing rent looming in his head.
THe next morning he let his hand roam to his belly where he noticed he'd had a couple of bumps, yet he passed them off as heat bumps since he had to walk considerable distances to make it to the banking jobs he persued. His skin was drying under the heat, with a touch of sunburn.
Man I guess one of these sores has blistered. Rubbing his fingers together he noticed the texture was off when he scratched a particularly itchy spot. What the-? Reaching for the light he became instantly outraged at what he discovered. Screeching to a stand while flinging covers and flayling his arms, he tried his best to get the family of bed bugs that feasted about his navel off and noticed there were some on his arms.
"Fuck!" He yelled while smacking his face and body, running into the bathroom. He turned the nobs wildly yet the water gushed out like ice pellets.
"Fuck!" He screamed as the water slapped him into another tizzy. Scrambling about he was able to finally wash himself to the point where he no longer felt the legs of the insects pricking his skin, nor their pinchers tasting his flesh. Enraged that he'd been a buffet for these little parasites for the past couple of days, he called the main desk. He didn't get an answer.
He put his clothes on for the day and marched down to the office to log in his complaint, however the repcioinist wasn't there. I'll deal with them, when I get back. It was now seven in the morning and he set off towards Virginia Beach to pick up applications and see what the beach had to offer. He looked at the packet of train passes he had, realizing he only had four days left. This brutal heat is'nt going to make walking easy so I need to make the most of my money and time so I don't waist anything.
When he arrived at a gas station he'd walked about all day and he even stopped at the graveyard for possible work. The clerk greeted him with a wide smile.
"Man you're soaked. Have a courtesy cup of water on me, okay?"
Itachi noticed that he looked like he was in a water gun fight with all the sweat that was dripping from him. The one hundred and five index was nothing to play with even though the temperature was ninety seven.
"Thank you sir." Bowing from his waist he tried to savor every drop of the water, realizing that it was getting late and he hadn't gotten any lunch yet.
He looked about the store to find a sandwich or snack for the remainder of the day. After picking up a jumbo hot dog and some doughnuts he waited for the young woman getting directions from the clerk.
"Oh Hinata, I'm going to work as your GPS if you come in here again girl."
"Well, I don't mind and as long as I bring sweet payments, you'll assist me...right?"
She giggled with him as she handed him two vanilla cupcakes with dark chocolate icing and sprinkles. Itachi felt his mouth water.
"Now you're going to turn down here on 23rd street and make another left. Don't forget the roads can change on ya so be careful. Besides, you got work to do in this heat?"
"Yes sir. I want them to keep calling me. Heat or not. But thank you for the directions." She bowed to him after paying for her gas. Itachi noticed the sign on the car and watched the young woman for a moment before the clerk got his attention.
"She's one of the cutest and sweetest ladies I know around here. She's one hell of a baker too!"
"Really? Do you know if she's hiring at her store?" He asked.
"Oh I think she works alone, since I don't ever see her with anyone, but again I"m not sure. She gets lost when she comes out here, but she gets her gas from here so I don't mind. She always makes me some of the best cakes and pies and well, I hope she never gets a GPS. Course she sure is pretty too."
THe elderly clerk noticed Itachi watched her intensely and figured he snap him out of it. The tall male bowed his head slightly fighting back the almost un-noticeable blush he had.
"Hey, if you're looking for work, one of the clerks here will be going out in about a month or two. You can put in an application if you like."
"Oh well thank you sir."
"Not a problem. You look like an honest man, and that's rare now-a-days. You just have to have a place to stay. We don't hire the homeless."
"Oh well that's not an issue. I live in Norfolk."
"Than perfect."
They stopped their conversation when Hinata walked back in.
"Oh I forgot to give you these cream puffs. I'm working on the lemon custard filling. Tell me what you think Mr. Naguna. See ya." With a wave she got back to the car and drove off.
"Hey, I'll share with you since I got four."
"Thank you."
Itachi's face lit up with surprise at the soft pastry and creamy center he had in his mouth. It was like taking a bite of pure joy since he'd been eating so much processed food.
"Yeah, told ja she's good!" With a smile Mr. Naguna popped a treat in his mouth and helped the next customer. Itachi left towards the train.
While traveling he let the heat and his full belly get the best of him while riding on the air conditioned train and drifted off to sleep. His dreams swirled with memories of old, and arguments he had with his father about business and all its logistics. He snored loudly waking himself, rather embarrassed yet relieved when he noticed there weren't many folks on the train. It was dark outside.
How long have I been up here and sleep? What time is it? He looked down to discover his watch was missing and the bag with chips and water were gone that were by his feet. Shit! I've been robbed.
Peering about he noticed that the train was slowing to a stop so he got off. When he stepped off the area was only lit with a couple of lights and he frowned since it was not familiar. I don't think I've been here before. Figuring he had at least fifteen minutes before the next train he walked down the ramp and along side the street. Cars whizzed by every now and then, and trucks rumbled through blowing hot air and debris all about. Itachi pulled out a map and grimaced since there wasnt enough light to see. As he walked he could hear footsteps behind him. Turning he saw five young men goofing around. The guys passed him and he looked about trying to get his bearings. Now where did I go? Normally the train goes from Norfolk to Portsmouth, Chesapeake, and then there's a junction for the AMTRAK to Hampton. It was light when I got on and now its almost pitch black out here. So I guess I'm...
"Hey, ya got a light buddy?"
Itachi stopped mid-thought to see a young pregnant girl beside him.
"Excuse me?"
"Do you have some smokes?
"No, I don't."
"You got any cash or food?"
Looking at her, he could tell she was a street dweller and looking at her belly she was mid-way her pregnancy.
"I think I have something."
Kneeling down he opened his bag and felt something crash into his skull.
Author here: I'll talk to ya in the next chappie...Missed you guys though!
