Chapter IV
March 13th, 1999
Excitement built in William as he prepared to meet Casey for her birthday
celebration. Her birthday had been two days ago, but she'd spent it with her
parents, followed by a sleepover with friends the next night.
He’d finished the day shift at the Video Coop. They wouldn’t schedule him for the
later shift until he had more experience, which was fine by him. He didn’t want to
be working until eleven at night.
The Saturday shift had been quiet with only Ed there. Ed talked more when Dave
wasn’t around, but not by much. They spent most of the day watching movies on the
ceiling-mounted TVs. William didn’t mind the downtime; it gave him space to think
without being distracted by Dave’s antics.
After sliding into his car, he checked his wallet. He had sixty dollars. Dinner
would probably cost more than Cooper’s, but he hoped it’d be enough. If not, he had
some emergency cash stashed away.
He went home to shower and get dressed. He had an hour before picking up Casey.
From the closet, he pulled the dress shirt and khaki pants his dad had given him
for his birthday and tore off the tags.
After showering and getting dressed, he grabbed an extra twenty from his hidden
stash. Thirty-five minutes remained.
“You're dressed up pretty nice for not going on a job interview,” his father said.
“I'm taking Casey out for her birthday, Dad,” William replied. He checked the