Say
Chapter 1-Small Fry
Today was the first day of the summer and the first day of my free life. The all too bright sun burned through my curtains. I woke up that morning as if it never happened. Yesterday everyone found out about…the rape. The only thing I could do now was move on and accept it. My room had always suited me, childish and purple. My friends and family desperately attempted to persuade me into something more my age, but I refused. My parents didn't need to spend money on me. Lately we barely had enough to get by. That was why I was waking up so early. To attend to my new job. A job at a fast food joint was never where I planned to be, but if it was going to help my family I'd do it.
I reached into my closet and grabbed out the uniform that was mandatory to wear. Black pants with a white shirt and lets not forget the gray tie. I didn't mind wearing dorky attire I'd worn worse, especially after…the rape. I quickly got dressed and went downstairs. My father's last job interview didn't go so well, so he's started looking for jobs online. Mom always had her same job, nothing changed with her.
Me: Bye dad!
Dad: What's the rush?
Me: [starts tapping foot] Well, I have a job now.
Dad: David called.
My hand went to my pocket. My interview yesterday had cost me a conversation with David. I truly had forgotten I gave David my number. A lot of things happened that day.
Me: [trying to look serious] What did he say?
Dad: He said you had to call him back.
Me: Did he leave a number?
Dad: [reluctantly] It's on the counter.
Me: Okay, if he calls back tell him I get off work at two. Bye dad.
Dad: Bye, and you know that you can talk to me right? Princess.
I could tell he wanted to talk to me more but I couldn't be late. I got on my old, yellow and rusted bike. Another thing that didn't bother me. I'd be able to drive soon, so I wouldn't even need a bike. I got in the big blue doors in the nick of time. I didn't know what to think of my boss, I'd only talked to a cashier. I hoped the manager would understand if I were to be late.
Boss: You're late.
I hate him already! He speaks with half a lisp and his wrinkles definitely indicate he is too old to work at a fast food restaurant. I hated his over grown mustache and his outfit, he wore tight blue shorts that went down to his knees and a maroon shirt. He also wore a whistle, who wears whistles around their necks? But, no doubt the worst thing about him was the little clipboard he carried around with him. He'd carefully pull out a pen in the middle of a conversation and then he'd start writing, as if you'd just been added to a death row list.
Me: No I'm not, I still have two minutes before it's 8:00.
Boss: All employees must be at work ten minutes early. All violators will be punished with restroom duty. If you have any questions ask Stan.
I was handed a plunger, a box of heavily used cleaning supplies and a surgical mask that Stan had said I'd be a fool to not wear. I walked into the Men's room first, hoping to get the worst over with first. The bathroom seemed to be covered with three types of grime, I suspected the first two were not known to man and the third layer had been accumulating for so long I think that I scraped off some of the stained tile before I got all the grime off.
As I got to the stalls I pleaded to god, or anyone who was listening, to kill me now, but to make sure that my parents got my paycheck first. I did need the surgical mask, sadly I think I needed a whole disinfected suit, but I finished the bathroom in good time. Well, good time to me. The Women's room was definitely easier to clean, all I had to do was wipe down the mirrors and mop the floor. Gladly, when I was young I learned how to do most things around the house, cooking, cleaning and laundry so I was prepared with soap and water.
Boss: What took you so long?
Me: I cleaned the restrooms.
Boss: It's nearly noon. Go take out the trash!
My hands tightened into fists and I knew what I was capable of, but I just turned away to find the nearest disposal area. I didn't have to see it to know that he had a huge smile on. Who knew how much garbage collected between this morning and this afternoon? This wasn't even a popular place, I mean it wasn't even close to being a McDonalds or Burger King, it was just a small business. Small Fry. It's name didn't even suit what it sold, I bet we barely made any money off fries, but of course I've never eaten here. A few years ago this place was even threatened to be closed down, for not meeting health inspector standards.
As I walked out to the half filled parking lot that couldn't help but smell like it had been smothered in grease, I noticed another employee was taking his break. I couldn't tell who it was partly because I could only see his legs, partly because he was smoking. I never knew anyone who smoked, that was my age. I crept up to the large garbage can he was leaning against, with some hope that I'd know him. I took a few steps so I was just around the corner from him. I peeked over. He was staring right at me. I quickly jumped back to my safe area where I couldn't be seen. My back was to the metal bin now. My logical side told me that this was foolish, just throw the bags of trash over his head and get back to work before you get fired! Another part of me, which I'd never felt before said to go right up to him and start a conversation. In the end I didn't know who won.