{My thoughts} {Why the fuck am I doing this right?}
[Texting] [u up?}
I Hate You Chapter 3 Reality in Motion
I worked on the story for the next couple of days until I felt I had somewhat of a finished product. Between working on the story, I also started working at Every day. It took a day, but I got back into the swing of things. For better or worse, it was like I never left. Marie was a big help; she is every bit of the sweetheart I thought she was from our first encounter. After Wednesday's shift, I messaged Nyla about looking over my story.
Craig Mac [Hey Nyla}
Nyla Nu [Hey stranger, I thought you were ghosting me.]
Craig Mac [Nah, I was working. I think I've finished it. Want to check it out?]
Nyla Nu [You actually did it, I'll believe it when I see it.]
Craig Mac [ Is that my cue to invite you over tonight.]
Nyla Nu [Duh, and maybe if it's good, I might have a present for you.}
Craig Mac [I'm not gonna lie, I hate surprises.]
Nyla Nu [You'll like this one.]
Craig Mac [ Last time a girl said that to me, a ten-inch dildo got pulled out of her bag.]
Nyla Nu [ Crystal?]
Craig Mac [ You know her?]
Nyla Nu [ Story time! Tonight, I need details.]
Craig Mac [Bet]
"Good, maybe tonight, I can get rid of some of this..."
"Talking to yourself again, kid." One of my co-workers appears out of thin air in the break room. I need to start paying more attention.
"You caught me."
"Hey, it's all good. Who am I to judge? Mr. Ross said he would like to see you upfront." {Oh, what now? It's like this guy has been testing me these last two days. Watching me like a hawk, like it's his job. Okay, maybe it is his job.}
"Thanks, Tommy. Right?."
"No problem."
I finish my lunch and walk up to the front, to the customer service counter. Mr. Ross looks at me with a smile and waves me over.
"Come here, Craig. Let's go to my office." {I've seen this porn before and am not too fond of it.}
We walk into his office, and I sit in the chair beside his desk.
"How can I help you, Mr. Ross."
"Well, Miss. Cheryl is talking about quitting if she doesn't get help, and I read your resume. You used to work in the produce section before you quit."
"Yeah, I did. You need me to help out."
"Yeah, like right now. Before Cheryl walks out on us."
"Oh. What about upfront."
"Look, I'm not sugar-coating this. You're overqualified to be a bagger up front. Now I will call you if it gets backed up over here, but as of right now, you're in the produce section."
"Wait... you're not gonna have me bouncing back in forth between sections on bagger pay, are you?" {Not this shit again.}
"Keisha said that happened last time, and I'm not in the business of doing that to my workers. Besides, Miss Cheryl already requested you be over there anyway. Talkin bout she likes your bounce or something." {My bounce, the fuck?}
"Wait, who will run it if she leaves."
"You." {Oh no}
"Let's hope I can keep her on board, captain."
"Don't call me captain. I work for a living." He says in a deadpan voice. {I don't think that's how the saying goes, though.}
"You got it, boss. Ross. Mr. Ross." {Smoove}
"Uh-huh, don't worry about your pay. I'll hook you up."
"Really, damn okay." {25 cents incoming.}
"Alright, now that's solved before you go. Your sister, what does she like, like her favorite flower or candy?" {In were in the dead zone, folks.}
"Uh, you know Daisies and Reese cups, peanut butter like a dog."
"Ahh, so she likes the peanut butter. Okay, okay. {The way he just said "The Peanut Butter" just ruined peanut butter for me for life.}
"Hey, thanks for the tips. Your first check may be a little weird, but it's more than you made before." {15 cents in coming}
"I wasn't making anything before. OOOH, that's what you were... I'll just let myself out."
"Just a little joke Craig."
"Right" {At my expense.}
I leave his office and walk over to the Produce section. The smell of fresh fruit fills my nostrils, and I do miss working in produce.
"Miss Cheryl, you in here?"
"Who, the. Oh, Keisha's Brother? {That's me!} So, they're finally listening to me."
"Yeah, Mr. Ross said to come over."
"Oh, you're only temporary."
"Well, he said I was here for now, so I guess not."
"Well, good because I was about to quit. The previous produce manager talked about you, then I put two and two together and realized it was you."
"All bad things."
"She adored you."
"Good to hear someone does."
"But if you're here, I might not quit. A big strapping young man likes yourself. Cheryl began to rub my shoulders. She feels my arms and squeezes my biceps.
"Oh my. You got some muscle on there, huh? Help me move these banana bins out to the sales floor."
"Ah.Alright."
I spent the rest of my shift working under Miss Cheryl. Phrasing. She is a cougar with blonde hair, long red nails, and tan skin. I can't say I'm not attracted to her, but then again, I'm weird. Her making small advances toward me every time I walk in the back isn't helping, though. I love attention, didn't get it a lot growing up, and this could be trouble or not. I grab my stuff and clock out from work. Keisha is just coming in for her shift, walking out of the office, and following me outside to talk.
"There you are. Where were you?
"I work produce now."
"No, no, no. When did? Why are you in produce?"
"Mr. Ross. I guess someone quit today?"
"That fucking cougar."
"Ke...Keisha!"
"Her husband, who she is separated from, threatened our last produce person. He caught them in the freezer, her tanned ass bent over. Rumor has it from Stephanie from the bakery."
"Steph is such a snitch, God. So, am I in danger?"
"Don't sleep with the old lady who, like, is the same age as our mom, with kids."
"that's redundant, and Is it wrong that I.."
"Stop!"
"Moms need love, Keisha. Don't Discriminate. My love is rated E for..{Déjà vu}
"Ewe and She is down bad, bro. I don't want to see you turned out like poor Jerimiah."
"Excuse me? Turned out you're not making this easy for me."
"My little brother is a freak?"
"Never meet your heroes."
"I was hoping she would quit, but here comes captain save a hoe, old hoe at that."
"Hoes need saving too, and you need to quit. One day you gonna be."
"Motherfucka, finish that sentence at your own peril."
"Yikes."
"Well, I'm guessing you want to work produce?"
"Yeah, it's way more chill than being a bagger and running around like a maniac all day."
"Okay, just don't bring her to the apartment."
"She looks like she can make a mean apple pie and beef stroganoff. I don't know why she just looks like she can make some mean beef stroganoff."
"Bitch you know I love beef stroganoff."
"I know bitch, and I'm tryna get the plug in the house. The kitchen would be clean too, but you fuckin round."
"Okay, I'm clocking in. We will table this for later."
After conversing with my sister about, Possibilities, I drive home to get ready for Nyla to show up at the apartment. An hour passes and she knocks on the door in a circle pattern. I open the door to see her wearing a Misfits hoodie, tight leggings, and vans slides.
"You gonna just stand there looking at me? She pulls me into a hug and kisses my cheek. "So, how have you been?" She asks while walking in to sit on a kitchen stool.
"Good, I mean, actually better. I got a job. It feels a little liberating to know I'm going to get paid. Besides that, I've constantly been writing these days."
"Yeah, you finished the story. Let me see it."
"For sure, and How have you been?"
"Meh, I could be better, but I'm alive." She says as we walk into my room. She sits down in the chair in front of the laptop. I sit on the bed and look at her while she reads.
"You gonna stare at me while I read, Craig."
"Oh, shit! That is kind of creepy, right?"
"Maybe"
"You hungry?"
"I'm starving."
"I can make you some spaghetti."
"I fucking love spaghetti, dude. Wait, you not going to put anything weird in there, are you?"
"No, I laugh. Just sit there. I'll be back." I go into the kitchen and chef it up real quick like. You may not know this, but I'm an excellent cook, like a Michelin star. I walk to the kitchen and start cooking. After a few minutes, I got my spaghetti sauce simmering while boiling the noodles.
