Author's Note: A few days ago, I published this story, but due to a glitch in the Lit matrix, the story was cut off before the final scene. Rather than wait for the truncated version to be removed then resubmit, I am publishing this one so it will get to you sooner. Sorry for the technical difficulties. LC68
Chapter One
"Hey, mom!" Brett greeted his mother with a wave as he slung his backpack on the couch.
"Hey, yourself," Mom looked up from her book. "Gabe called, he said he tried your cell, but it kept going to voice mail."
"Shit," Brett rolled his eyes as he plucked his phone from his pocket. "I forgot to turn it on after I got out of class. "Maybe he needs me to come in tonight."
"Brett, you've worked five out of the last six nights," Mom reminded him. "You need to get your rest and focus on school."
"Get my rest?" he laughed. "I'm 20, I don't need as much sleep as you old people."
"Watch it, mister," Mom cautioned him with a finger. "As long as you live here, I can ground your ass no matter how old you are."
"Yes ma'am," he lowered his head demurely, but couldn't keep the smirk off his face. "Whatever you say."
"Don't humor me," she sighed. "Seriously, Brett, I know you love the new job and I appreciate that you want to work and help out, but school's more important."
"My grades are good, Mom. I had a 3.8 last semester, remember?"
"You were working 20 hours a week at Starbucks, now you're working close to twice that and until one in the morning sometimes," she complained. "I still can't believe you can serve booze without being old enough to drink."
"RI has cool laws, what can I say?" Brett chuckled. "But no worries, I don't drink."
"Right, A 20 year old college student and you have a virgin liver," Mom shook her head. "I'm not naΓ―ve, now stop dodging my point."
"I get to sleep by two, and class is at nine. I get a few hours sleep, and I study when I get home before I go in."
"It's a lot, Brett. If Gabe wants you to work, tell him not tonight."
"Come on, Mom. I'm a grown ass man now, I know my limits."
"Oh, my god," she slapped her forehead for effect. "A grown ass man? Your limits? You're not grown ass when you still live with mommy."
"Ouch," Brett winced, then made her laugh when he raked the air with his fingers and meowed. "Bitchy!"
"Just say no."
"I have my car insurance due; I need a couple of books for my next classes, and the mortgage is coming up. I promised Dad when we knew it was near the end I'd always do the right thing as a son and a man. The right thing is helping my mom with the bills and paying my own way as much as I can."
"You know," Mom gave him a soft smile. "I take it back, maybe you're at least partially grown up."
"Thanks," he rolled his eyes.
"You're a good boy, Brett," Mom saw the look on his face. "Man, good man," she corrected herself. "A good young man should do the right thing but should be having some fun too. When was the last time you went on a date?"
"Melissa," he replied, looking away because he knew what was coming.
"You two broke up six months ago. That's too long for a good looking, grown ass man like yourself to be alone."
"I'm fine, work and school keep me busy," he grinned. "Girls can be more distracting than jobs, you know."
"They're more fun than jobs," Mom frowned. "If not, there's a problem."
"Right now, your single, well rested, studious, and partially grown ass man wants to make some extra money."
"I suppose there's worse things than wanting to be responsible," Mom conceded. "Especially these days, half the kids your age don't even work."
"Kids these days," Brett sighed dramatically as he turned his phone on.
"Besides, I'm sure serving drinks might put you in contact with some attractive young ladies, but I know that's not why you're eager to keep taking shifts, its all about the right thing."
Mom looked at him expectantly.
"Unfortunately, it is a hazard of the profession," Brett said in a somber tone. "And it is embarrassing the way they fawn over me, but I tell them, ladies, can't you see I'm working here, and my mom says I have to get my rest."
"You're killing me," Mom tried to look series, but burst out laughing. "Fine, smart ass, go to work, but promise me if it starts to get to be too much or your grades slip, you cut back?"
"Promise." He nodded as he turned away, already bringing up his voicemail.
"And you're not going in before dinner, you need to eat."
"Yup," he gave her a thumbs up over his shoulder.
"Hey, kiddo," Gabe's gruff voice sounded in his ear. "Lookin' to see if you want to pick up some extra money tonight, call me back, kay?"
Bret waited until he went upstairs and entered his room before calling him back.
"Took you long enough," Gabe answered. "For a kid who wants hours, your phones off all day."
"Hi to you too," Bret replied. "I have it off in school."
"Good thing you're out then because I was getting' ready to call Tammy and see if she wanted to work."
"I'll take the shift!"
"Don't know," Gabe grunted. "Tammy's better for business, she's got those big tits and wears those tight little tops."
"And screws up half the drinks," Bret responded.
"But she's pretty and has big tits." Gabe repeated.
"Fine. I'll wear a shirt two sizes to small and giggle, how's that?"
Gabe laughed in his ear, but the laugh turned into a jagged smoker's hack and Bret eased the phone from his ear. "Christ, kid, that was a good one." He snickered. "'Sides, you're kind of pretty anyway."
"Am not!" Bret exclaimed.
"Are too, mister goop in your hair."