Chapter 1
Shaw lies in his room, peacefully asleep as the warm afternoon sunlight gently creeps through his window. Slowly, he stirs, his eyes fluttering open. Reaching for his phone, he sees a text from his mom: "Don't be late to your job interview."
Panic sets in as he glances at the time.
"Shit."
His heart races as he scrambles to get dressed, briefly debating whether or not to bring his journal. Ultimately, he snatches it, then rushes out the door just in time to see the bus pulling away—barely out of reach. To make things worse, it's not even Quincy driving, the friendly bus driver he knows.
Shaw sighs in frustration and pulls out his phone. With no other option, he uses the last of his money to call an Uber.
While in the Uber, he pulls out his notebook and starts writing for the first time in a while: "I miss you... Dad."
A tear lands on the page. He puts in his headphones as the car drives off.
By the time he arrives, he's already late, but he speaks to the receptionist.
"Can I still make the appointment?"
"What's your name?"
"Shaw."
"Okay, take a seat and I'll see what I can do."
"Thank you."
Shaw sits beside a group of applicants, waiting. But something's off—their eyes feel glued to him. He starts sweating, loosens his tie, his breathing grows heavy. It feels like there's a spiritual weight pressing down on him. Like a shadow draped across his back.
"Shaw."
The receptionist calls his name, snapping him out of it. He stands and walks toward the office.
As soon as he enters, he blurts, "I'm sorry for being late."
A long silence follows.
"And you are?"
"My name is Shaw, sir. I'm the 11 o'clock."
"I don't know if you know how to tell time, but you're an hour late, kid."
"Sir, I know… a lot happened this morning—"
"Son, it's the afternoon. And you've clearly shown me everything I need to know. So if you don't mind, I have other interviews to get to."
"Sir, I'm asking… begging you for this job. This opportunity. Please—I need it."
"You're not the only one who's desperate for work these days. If it's that bad, go to the taco spot down the street."
He turns to the receptionist. "Nini, show Mr. Shaw the door, please."
Shaw walks out, defeated.
"Hey, Shaw," Nini calls out.
He turns.
"I know you're looking for full-time work. I've got some connections. Let me give you my number."
"Really? That's such a blessing. Thank you."
After exchanging numbers, Shaw walks back toward the bus stop, drained.
He sits down and glances up at the sky. "Looks like it's finna rain."
He puts his hands together, muttering a short prayer.
"Lord, I ask… please hold off the rain until I get home. Amen."
As soon as the prayer leaves his lips, the rain pours down.
"You can't be serious," Shaw mutters.
A bus turns the corner. Shaw prepares to board, but it's not Quincy's—it speeds by, splashing water all over him.
"COME OOOON!"
Finally, Quincy's bus pulls up. Shaw boards, soaked.
"Where were you this morning?" Shaw asks.
"I had the morning off," Quincy replies, grinning. "Why, were you late again?"
"You already know," Shaw sighs.
Quincy laughs. "Looks like the day had its way with you."
"Who you tellin'? I can't get a job, can't keep one. It feels like life is pointless. All this struggling—for what?"
"Yeah, I know how you feel. But you find peace in the little things in life. I mean, look at me—driving buses for fifteen years, and that's been keeping me happy for a while," Quincy says with a grin.
"You've always been the example, OG."
They both chuckle.
"Anywhere special you need to stop by before we go?" Quincy asks.
"Not that I know of," Shaw shrugs.
"Good. I got one more stop before I'm off, then I'll drop you at your mom's crib."
"Aight," Shaw replies.
Quincy pulls off, and Shaw slips on his headphones, letting the music drown out his thoughts. It's the only thing that helps him escape sometimes. His eyes grow heavy, and as the bus rocks gently through the city, sleep takes him.
Some time later, the bus comes to a stop.
Voices murmur in the background.
"Why'd the bus stop?" Shaw mutters, eyes still blurry with sleep.
As he slowly comes to, he hears Quincy's voice.
"Look who's up," Quincy chuckles, stepping between Shaw and the front of the bus, blocking his view. "And look who snuck back into town."
Shaw's vision clears, and when he looks past Quincy, his eyes go wide.
Standing there—timeless, unforgettable—is Naomi.
His childhood crush.
A moment the past couldn't erase.