Chapter Three

When I first got home to a completely unclean apartment with Dylan sleeping on the chair and Miley on the couch, my date with Eli seemed like it would never happen. But I didn't want to ditch my chance at starting my life again.

"Dylan! What did you do here?" I demanded as quietly as I could so as not to awaken Miley.

"I…don't really know. How was work?" he asked, not making a move to get up and help me clean.

"How was work? That's what you have to say for yourself? You're an idiot," I told him as I opened the microwave to an exploded casserole. "Really, Dylan? Really?"

"Huh. Don't remember that part," he replied. As much of a mess he made, it was kind of funny. Plus, I was going to make him clean that part up.

Dylan smiled along with me. "I'll clean the kitchen and put Miley in her bed. You take the living room." We shook hands and took on the task. He threw the casserole away while I gathered the dirty clothes and took them to the laundry room. I vacuumed while he tucked Miley in and wiped the microwave. He scrubbed the counters and I gathered Miley's toys and put them in her toy box.

It was 11:30 p.m. when we finally finished. We sat down and I told him about Eli.

"You have to go. Have fun for once since you got here. Miley and I promise to keep it clean. I should be back from school around three," Dylan said. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday Dylan went to the community college to become a doctor. When I was in school, he would drop Miley off at the colleges' daycare. When I got out of school at two, I would go pick her up.

When I woke up that Saturday morning, I was very excited for my date. Once everyone was up I made pancakes, cleaned the bathrooms, took the trash out, and cleaned everybody's bedroom.

Dylan left for school right after breakfast and called at noon to say he would be an hour late. After that I fixed Miley and I a sandwich, studied for an exam and took a shower.

At exactly four, Dylan walked in the door with the groceries for the week. With a wink, he sent me to get dressed and put everything away.

"Will this work?" I asked as I stepped in Dylan's line of vision. He stared in amazement as he looked over my no-sleeve red mid-thigh dress, straight hair and black two inch heels.

"That'll definitely will. How come I haven't seen that outfit?" he questioned, handing me my black coach purse.That made me smile.

"Fun!" Miley was smiling up at me with her little monkey in her arms. I picked her up and told her that I was going on a date and would be back tonight.

"No tuck-in?"

"When I get home, sweetie," I answered, putting her next to Dylan and heading for the library.

"Hey, Zoey! Where're you off to?" our neighbor Derek Allen greeted from his porch. He and his wife were playing cards.

"The library. For a date."

"Like that? And what kind of date is at a library?" his wife asked. Her eyebrows were furrowed as she studied my outfit like I was wearing a spacesuit.

"Yes, Mrs. Allen, like this," I answered, walking on.

As I walked, I studied each movement I made to make sure I had no chance of falling flat on my face and embarrassing myself in front of Eli.

"Wow, Zoey. You look beautiful. I feel under-dressed compared to you." Eli greeted me with a huge smile. He was dressed in a light blue button up with dress pants and black shoes.

"Thank you. And you look good yourself. Not the least bit under-dressed," I replied as I sat down in the chair next to his. We were in front of the library fireplace, which was lit and burning strongly. It's comfortable heat warmed my body from my walk here.

"Well, you were exactly on time. Nice job," Eli joked.

That made me glance up at the clock. "If I was on time and you were here to greet me, you were early, weren't you? Shame, shame, Eli," I teased back.

We laughed as Eli made the fire's flame bigger by tossing on another log. "Did you walk here?"

"Yes," I replied. "I live just a couple minutes up the road. How 'bout you?"

"Drove. I live down on Rosemary Lane. It's about five miles south of here."

"That's cool. So where do you go to school?" I asked.

"Sophomore at Talkin High School. You?"

"Me too."

"Cool. Want to go see a movie? After dinner, of course. Scary movies are not fun on an empty stomach," Eli said.

I jumped up. "I love scary movies! Let's go!" I took his hand and pulled him to his feet. We ran out of there and took his truck to the diner right next to the theatre.

Everything went up from there. We hit it off during dinner and laughed throughout the movie while everyone else freaked.

We were on Main Street in front of the apartment. "This is it. I share with my brother and little sister."

"Where are your parents?" he asked.

I fought back the tears. "My father left when my four year old sister Miley was being born. About a month ago my mom died in a car accident. Now I live with Dylan, my brother," I explained.

Eli reached over and hugged me. "I'm sorry. It's really none of my business."

"That's okay. Well, I should go. We should do this again. Here," I said, writing something down and giving it to him. "It's my number. Call anytime. See you in school Monday, probably."

Just as I was getting out of the truck, he pulled me back into a hug and kissed me lightly on the lips for about three seconds. "Goodbye, Zoey. Till Monday."