His head hurt so much, it felt like it was being split open Peter could barely open his eyes as he saw a blurry picture of where he was. He was on a porch of some kind, but that was secondary from the throbbing in his head. He rubbed his head and felt the lines the wood had left on his cheek as he had passed out there. As he began to gather his bearings he rolled over, and opened his eyes a little more. As he did so he saw that he wasn't alone.
He saw the vague elderly woman holding a bucket, it was only then that he realized who's porch he had passed out on.
"Oh no." he groaned.
Shortly there after, his clothes now soaking wet from head to toe, Peter walked down the road from Granny's Inn, muttering "Crazy old broad." He then heard the clock tower ring and looked up to seeing the time was 9:30. He groaned and continued to lament his luck today "…and now I'm late just to top it all of." He took off down the street in a futile effort to find his car. So concentrated was he that he nearly ran someone over as he turned a corner
"Aaah, small child!" Peter said before his mind clicked to who was in front of him " Wait…your Henry right, we met the other day. Shouldn't you be in school kid?"
Henry stared at Peter blankly for minute before answering " It's Sunday."
"Ah." Peter said as he finally took note of his surroundings " Sorry about that, I'm a little," he paused this time his kid filter activating so he didn't say hungover "under the weather right now." He turned to the side and saw that the two of them were in front of the diner. At this point he figured, he couldn't be more late, so he veered along with Henry toward the diner. He stretched out on one side of a booth. He then turned to Henry who had sat at the booth opposite his.
"So Henry, what brings you here, figured you would have already had breakfast."
"I'm here to meet my mom." Henry said simply
"The mayor...nice." Peter said with a small sigh
" No my…." Henry paused as if searching for the right word "biological mom, Emma, she's new around here."
That name rang a bell, as Peter paused for a few minutes "Emma, wait…Sheriff Swann is your biological mom, and your adopted mom is the mayor?" Peter then burst out laughing before saying "Henry, your teenage years are going to suck."
The kid once again stared at him blankly, not quite getting the joke, and switching subjects "So why are you here? "
"Eh well, I'm already…" Peter checked his watch " 45 minutes late for work, so I figured I might as well see if I can grab some food before…" then a phone rang in the back of the diner as Peter winced and said " that happens."
Shortly after the phone had stopped ringing the door to the kitchen burst open as Ruby came out on the warpath as she yelled " Peter!"
Peter winced and said "Not so loud Ruby."
This did not deter her as she continued to march over to his booth and cocked her hips to one side dangerously as she said "Here at Granny's Café we reserve the right to refuse service to anyone." Then she whacked Peter on the side of his head "…and that includes assholes that pass out on my Grandmothers porch when they get drunk." She whacked him a couple more times before Peter relented
"Alright I'm going." He said throwing his hands up and walking out, so much for breakfast.
Eventually he found his truck, and then rolled into work, wearing the same clothes he had slept in, though they had dried. He walked in the back entrance, and found Mr. Blunderbore waiting for him. He froze and awaited whatever than man was going to say.
" This the second day in row your late, there are two types of people in this world Petey," he began " Those that work hard, do what their told, and show up on time and slackers. Now slackers, waste time, show up late, and get fired." As he gave this little spiel Mr Blunderbore got closer and closer to Peter, until Peter could smell the man's breath that smelled of rancid meat.
The next words were said with particular menace " Take the rest of the day off Petey, and tomorrow I'll decide just what type of person you really are."
"Ruby threw someone out." Were the first words from Henry's mouth when Emma slid into the booth
"That true Ruby," Emma said with a smirk " never seen that happen before. Anything you need my help with?"
Ruby waved a hand " Nah, just an ex being an idiot."
"I've had my share of those," Emma said with a understanding nod before curiostiy got the better of her as she asked " What's the story?"
Ruby laughed and sat down for a moment " Well with me and Peter, it's a long one…"
