"Curtis!" My boss yelled out while I clocked back in after my lunch break. "You're outside at the gas pumps for the rest of your shift."
"Yes, sir." I called back. Happy that I no longer had to be on the register. I grabbed a few rags and headed back outside where it was nice. It didn't take too long before I had a customer.
"Fill her up!" The customer said cheerfully.
"No problem." I told him. "Would you like me to wash your windshield, too?"
"No, that's okay." He tilted his head and looked at me. "So, tell me, are you working hard or hardly working?"
I grinned as I replaced the gas cap on his car and replied, "It depends on the day and time.Today, I've been working hard."
Which was true. My arms were sore from stocking shelves and my feet hurt. I couldn't wait to go home so I could take off my shoes. I don't like wearing shoes. If I could work barefoot, I would. Unfortunately, I'm required to wear shoes. Which means my feet get all hot and sweaty, which I hate. I think feet should be able to breath. They shouldn't be stuffed in a pair of shoes where they can get all smelly and gross.
"Have a good day, sir." I said as the customer left after paying for his gas.
"You too." He told me pulling away.
I was very busy for the rest of my shift. Filling gas tanks, washing windshields and checking the oil if asked to. Before I knew it, Steve was joining me.
"Hey, when did you get here?" I asked.
"I got here ten minutes ago." Steve told me. "You've been busy the whole time."
"Yeah, it's been busy all day." I said.
"You should go home." Steve said as he unscrewed the gas cap on someone's car. "The boss told me to tell you to clock out."
"Okay." I mumbled. "Are you coming over later?"
Steve nodded. "Yeah. Hey, do you think Darry would mind if I spent the night? My dad has ben holloring at me a lot this week and I need to get away."
I placed my hand on his shoulder. "Steve, you know you're always welcome to stay over at our place. You don't have to ask. That's why we leave our door open. So our friends have a place to go if they can't stay at their own homes."
Steve grinned at me. "Thanks Soda. This means a lot."
I gave his shoulder a squeeze then went inside to clock out. I was a little worried about Steve. His dad is always yelling at him and calling him names. I don't think Mr. Randle has ever physically hurt Steve. But he has emotionally wounded him. I stopped going to Steve's house because it bothered me to hear his dad call him worthless and stupid all the time. Steve will never admit that it bothers him. The closest he comes is when he asks to spend the night. I think that it's because of Steve's situation with his dad that I'm always telling Darry to stop getting on Pony's case all the time. It's bad enough seeing my best friend feel emotionally wounded, I don't want to see my brother go through that, too. Although, I'm sure Darry would never be as harsh as Mr. Randle.
"See you tomorrow, Curtis." My boss said as I walked out of the building.
"Bye, sir." I said as the door closed behind me. I walked back to where Steve was.
Steve was talking with Darry, who had come to pick me up. But stopped when I joined them.
"Ready, Soda?" Darry asked me as he got in the truck.
"Yeah." I said getting in the truck myself.
Darry leaned out the window as he started the engine. "Don't worry about staying over tonight,okay? I'll make sure we have clean blankets and a pillow for you."
"Okay. Thanks Darry. Bye Soda." Steve said. I would have said bye, too, but Steve had already turned his attention to a customer.
As Darry pulled away, I leaned back in my seat and closed my eyes.
"Tired?" Darry asked.
"Yeah." I admitted. "It was a busy day at work."
"I know what you mean, little buddy." Darry said. He turned on the radio and the sounds of Elvis filled the truck as we drove home. I didn't open my eyes until we got home. Then I went inside, kicked off my shoes, threw my DX shirt towards the couch, and went to the kitchen for a glass of chocolate milk.