Cruel Summer

Chapter 12

Wednesday, September 19, 2018

~Marcus~

"Marcus, when you get off your break, I need you to help with the dishes. Mariah just called and said her water broke." Ms. Kim said as she handed a customer their coffee.

"Wow, I hope she has a safe delivery. I gotcha, Ms. Kim." I said before Ms. Kim patted my back and walked off.

I turned around to put in more fresh bagels.

"Ok, we got cinnamon, chocolate chip, pla—"

"Marcus Jackson, right?"

I turned around and smiled.

"Aye, it's the man from the other night. Sorry, I don't remember your name. I do remember your face." I said smiling.

"Jamie Campbell."

"Oh yeah, Mr. Campbell! Nice to see you again." I said as I gave him some dap.

"Hey, do you have a minute? I'll like to talk to you."

"Uh, sure. Let me put these fresh bagels out and I'll holla at ya."

"Ok, I'll be sitting over there by the window." He said as he smiled.

I hurried and fix the bagels up. It took me about five minutes to make sure everything looked perfect. If it didn't look good, Ms. Kim would be on my butt.

"Got you some to eat?" Mr. Campbell asked as I sat down.

"I actually got me a muffin. I got you some coffee and bagel if you wanted some. The cinnamon is the bomb." I said as I handed it to him.

"Wait, I didn't pa—"

"Don't worry, it's on the house. It's a big thank you for throwing your event. I got paid extra good for helping out." I said chuckling a little.

"You don't seem like the type of guy who works here. What you do, son?" Mr. Campbell asked as he took a sip of his coffee.

"I did all types of sports. Football used to be my thing, but I almost broke my shoulder. My mom was too scared to put me back in the game. I had book smarts, so I stuck with that." I said shrugging as I bit into my muffin.

"That's good. A mind is a terrible thing to waste. Wait, it used to be this smart girl that I remembered in school. Her name was Kelly Anne Jackson. Are you two related?"

"Nah, I don't know a Kelly." I asked as I tried to think.

"Wait, who did you say I might know again in your family? It was when your boss cut you off."

"My uncle is Derrick Jackson. He owns that club not too far from here."

Mr. Campbell just stared at me as he tried to think.

"I guess we don't know the same people." I said chuckling.

Mr. Campbell seemed like he was in space as he stared at me.

"Hello, Mr. Campbell." I said as I waved my hand in his face.

"Oh, um, call me Jamie, son. Sorry. I was just thinking about the good ole days back in school."

"Wow, you must be thinking about that Kelly girl? I bet you all had the ladies."

"Kelly was something special. To be honest, I was a lil playa. I was dumb. I didn't know much back then. Thank God for change. I'm married and a father to one daughter." Jamie said as he took a bite of his bagel.

"Man, I'm still a playa! The playa is me, Jamie. I love it." I said smiling.

"Son, it's going to hit you one day when you want to settle down and start a family. I'm telling you the truth. These hoes are not loyal."