Michael's Point Of View:

I clock in five minutes late. Dammit! I put on my work gloves and begin to work. I change engines and lift heavy wheels. I fix doors and radios. The job sucks, but it pays decent. Decent enough to get my Lilly her pink bike.

The whistle blows, letting everyone know it's our lunch break. I take a dollar out of my pocket and go to the vending machine. I press F5. A granola bar. I didn't pack lunch or have enough money to get a meal. I need food at the apartment, so I can't pack lunch. I can survive on this. I have been for five years now.

I sit down and open the wrapper. I chew slowly. When I'm finished, I throw away the wrapper and get back to work. I go through the rest of the day with ease. I'm putting my gloves back in my work locker when I hear my name being called,

"Michael! Where's Michael?"

It's my boss, Tom. I hear someone give him my location. I'm in the back locker room. I hear his heavy footsteps coming my way. I roll my eyes. Who knows what he could want.

"Michael I need to talk to ya!"

I turn around and say,

"I'm all ears."

"Well, I don't know any other way to put this, but...you're fired."

My eyes widen. "What? Why? Was it because I was late this morning? It was only five minutes! "

"Well, that's a small piece, but the main reason is that we have to lay some people off for financial reasons. "

"Tom, you can't do this! I need this job! I can't loose this job!"

He shrugs his shoulders. "I'm sorry, Mike. I have no choice."

"I need this job, Tom! How am I suppose to pay rent this month?!"

"Not my problem. "

He turns and walks away. This can't be happening! I need this job! I have to provide for Lilly! How the hell am I suppose to do that if I'm unemployed? I punch my locker four times, leaving a dent.

I yell, "Fuck!"

I throw my gloves on the ground and kick the locker below mine. I storm out of that place. I squat while holding the sides of my head. I clench my jaw. I stand up and check my watch.

"Dammit!"

Lilly's bus will be pulling up in 2 minutes! I take off running toward the bus stop. When I arrive, I see Lilly looking for me. I run up to her.

"Hey, baby. How was school? "

"It was okay as normal. "

I smile. She's been getting picked on because of the color of my skin. She's a strong girl. The teachers won't do anything and I can't switch schools right now. Plus, I can't homeschool her. I have to work....well I had to work.

"Let's go get that bike."

She smiles big. "Okay!"

I take off her bookbag and sling it around my shoulder. I hold her hand and we walk toward the store. The store near where I live sells almost everything. I have a feeling most of it is stolen.

The store clerk is Indian and has a very strong accent. We walk the few blocks to the store. Lilly gets excited when she sees the bike. She runs into the store. I'm right behind her. She hops on the bike.

"Daddy I love it!"

I smile. I go check the price and my eyes widen. It's been risen!

"Yo, man!"

The store manager walks over and asks, "What? What's wrong?"

"You raised the price, man! You said you wouldn't do that!"

"I raised the price because I needed to!"

"Man, I promised her this bike! You knew I was coming back! Lower the price back!"

The manager gets irritated, "What is wrong with this price?"

"It's too high! I can't afford this! I told you yesterday I was going to get this bike! Lower the price!"

Then, a unfamiliar voice cuts in,

"I'll buy the bike for you, sir."

I don't even look at the man, because I'm pissed off right now! This man knew I was coming back! We had a damn agreement!

"What? No! This man can lower the price! We had an agreement! "

Lilly gets off the bike and grabs my hand.

"What's wrong, daddy?"

The store manager looks at her and says,

"You're daddy is broke!"

I point my finger in his face and yell,

"Don't you dare speak to my daughter you crook!"

Before the store manager could speak, the unfamiliar voice says,

"Excuse me, I'll buy the bike, sir."

I finally look at the man who keeps interrupting me. He's a young guy. Probably in his twenties. He's caucasian and has greem eyes. He's.....pretty good looking. He's wearing an expensive looking blue sweater with a grey shirt underneath and black slacks. He has on penny loafers.

"Thanks, but I don't need you to-"

He smiles, revealing his straight white teeth. He interrupts me again and says,

"I'm not buying it for you. I want the bike to give it to a friend. "

I don't know what to say. The manager says,

"Well, come come."

The manager leads the guy to the register. I clench my jaw and walk outside with Lilly.

"Daddy, what happened? "

I hold in my anger tears as I say,

"It seems you won't be getting-"

Once again I'm interrupted by the guy,

"Hey! Wait up!"

Lilly and I turn around. He comes out of the store pushing the bike. He walks over and kneels down in front of Lilly.

"Hi, there."

She smiles. "Hi!"

"I think I have something that belongs to you."

He pushes the bike over to her. Her eyes light up. I've never seen her so happy.

"Thank you, sir!"

He shakes his head, "Don't thank me. Thank your dad. He got it for you."

I'm speechless. Who is this guy?

Lilly hugs me and says,

"Thank you, daddy!"

I stutter, "Uh, um, you're welcome. "

She hops on the bike and asks,

"May I ride it?"

I nod. "Just stay close to me."

She nods. The guys stands up and smiles at her. He looks at me and says,

"I'm sorry. I didn't introduce myself. I'm Brandon. Brandon Clifford. "

He extends his hand. I shake it.

"I'm Michael Jackson."

"Nice to meet you, Michael."

"I'll pay you back, I promise. "

He shakes his head. "No need. I always do stuff like that."

I look up to find Lilly down the road.

"Wait up, Lilly!"

I jog after her. Followed by Brandon. We turn the corner and start walking.

He says, "So, how old is she?"

He better not ask if I'm her father.

"She turned six today."

"That's wonderul! What do you have planned?"

"Um...nothing really. All I could do was get that bike, but I couldn't even do that."

I walk with my hands in my pockets.

"Well, how about I take you guys out to dinner?"

Mm..that was unexpected.

"No, We couldn't do that. You've done enough already. "

He smiles and says, "Nonsense. I want to do this. She can name the place and we can go. I insist. "

Lilly must've heard, because she yelled,

"Fun Zone!"

Brandon laughs. I look down at Lilly. I can't say no to her. Especially when it's her birthday.
"Um, I'll accept your offer."

He smiles pats my shoulder.

"Great."