CHAPTER 1
The sun shone through the window as Michael lay in bed and hit the snooze button on his alarm clock for the third time. "Damn, it's six thirty already," he said to himself as he sat up. After relieving himself and grabbing a cup of coffee, he stepped outside and sat down on his front porch. He sipped his coffee, checked his phone, and shook his head. Man, how can I go to work today? It's too nice a day. This spring day, with its clear skies and cool breeze, seemed like the perfect time to ask his girlfriend, Megan Baker, a certain question.
Michael worked as a mechanic at a local repair shop during the day and as a janitor at the high school during nights. He was one of two mechanics on hand, so he worked six to seven days a week. He was lucky if he got to see Megan five days out of the month; their relationship was via cell phone and a Bluetooth headset. He called into work claiming to be sick. Fortunately, there was not much going on for the next couple of days, and so his boss at the shop told him to go ahead and take a couple of days; they would call him if they really needed him. Michael also wasn't on the schedule for the high school for three more days. After hanging up the phone, he ran back inside, changed clothes, grabbed his keys, and headed to Megan's house to surprise her.
The forty-five-minute drive went quickly enough, though it didn't help that every radio station kept playing love songs. Of all the days the damn radio has to play every sappy song in history, he thought as he pulled into the driveway and quietly got out of his truck. The four-bedroom house sat on four acres, and huge oak trees were scattered across the yard, casting most of the house in shade. As he got neared the door, he could hear Megan in the backyard. She must be in the garden already. When he glanced around the corner of the house, he saw Megan kneeling, weeding the beds and planting vegetables. She loved to work in the garden. It seemed to calm her down; she had been edgy since her brother and sister had left close to six weeks ago.
A devilish grin flashed across Michael's face. He jumped from around the corner and yelled, "What are you doing?"
Megan shrieked and jumped backward, landing on her butt. A look of fright briefly appeared on her face, but it was quickly replaced by one of anger and embarrassment. "You jerk!" she said. She picked up a handful of the loose, wet dirt and threw it at his chest.
Michael was too busy laughing to try to dodge it. He stopped laughing and wiped off his shirt in protest. "Hey, is that any way to treat someone who called off work so he could spend a couple of days with his girlfriend?" he asked in mock annoyance.
She started to smile. "Tonight and a couple days?" He nodded. Megan got up and slowly walked toward him. "Seriously?"
"Yes, babe. At least two days."
She smiled from ear to ear as she jumped at him and wrapped her arms around him. As they embraced each other, she slowly brought her right hand up to the back of his head, and with a squishing sound she dumped and smeared a handful of mud on his head. "That's for making me act like a girly girl."
Michael could not help but start laughing again.
After going in and cleaning up, they decided they would spend their evening inside. He suggested renting a couple of movies. Megan loved the idea and decided to make the chili cheese dip he loved, but he had to go to the store to get some of the ingredients. His stomach spoke for him with a loud gurgle. "Okay, be back in a minute." Michael kissed her and walk
