Flame within the Grey

Chapter 27

CHAPTER 27

The past few days were bizarre.

Two days ago, Tyler offered Scarlett a box of peaches. The fresh produce owner had given it to him. For free! She thought he might've stolen it, but that wasn't the case. She asked Tyler why a stranger will give him free fruit, but he didn't know.

Working the morning shift at the diner ended up pleasant. The cook didn't harass her once, Bobby didn't make a crude remark or sexual joke. He didn't address her appearance or hit on her in any form. It was quite the opposite. He slinked in the kitchen, not looking her way once with his tail between his legs. It was a breath of fresh air not to see him at all. She could walk and serve freely without his droopy eyes on her body or seeing his crooked, stained yellow teeth smiling.

She found it odd, though. The sudden change of respect.

Scarlett ended her double shift peacefully for a change as she pulled on her light brown cardigan and approached the door to exit.

"Hey Scarlett." The cook's raspy voice called out. She knew it was too good to be true. It surprised her he said her name instead of baby cakes.

She turned around with her bag under her arm. "Yes Bobby," she sighed. But was taken aback to see a black and blue shiner on his left swollen eye. It looked like someone had sucker punched him. What the hell?

Bobby shifted from one foot to the next, averting his eyes low to the ground. "Sorry for making rude comments and for causing you to feel uncomfortable to work here." He stammered.

Scarlett stared at him, stunned. "Okay." she replied. Unsure why he had a change of heart. "What happened to your eye?"

Bobby shook his head, looking scared like a child. "Nothing. Just got some sense knocked into me, you know." He answered with a tight smile. "So, we're good?" he asked, worry and fear laced in his voice.

"Yeah, we're good." Scarlett said with a frown, still confused by what just happened. Bobby blew a sigh of relief. She gave a meager smile and left his diner.

The midday sun was at its peak as it smoldered the busy streets. Scarlett had time to relax before her next shift started later the afternoon. She checked on her bakery quickly.

She stood in front of her vacant modest business that she had to close temporally until she was back on her feet. The windows were dirty with dust. You could hardly see inside. But there was nothing to look at, anyway. She looked up and someone graffitied the name board with profanities. 'Red Velvet Dreams' was vandalized. The jerks crossed out the 'Dreams' and replaced it with 'Dicks' instead. She shook her head in disgust.

"One day soon you'll have customers flow in again and you'll be a dream come true once more." She breathed. Making this promise to herself.

She turned away reluctantly and journeyed back home. On her path, people she knew and didn't know greeted her politely. Some waved and others nodded their heads, while curious looks came her way. Scarlett smiled awkwardly in return. She walked into the small grocery store, pleased it was still standing. The Irish mafia didn't tear it down. She packed the vegetables and bread she needed for tonight's dinner in a basket and presented it to the owner and his wife at the counter for payment. The owner's wife looked in good spirits and not a crying mess like the last time.

Scarlett smiled. "Looks like everything worked out." She said happily to the owners.

They both nodded gratefully. "Yes. The mob decided not to force us out of our store and let us be with no bother." The wife said.

"That's great news! I'm so pleased for you." Scarlett beamed.

The wife inched closer. "Thanks to you, dearie." She winked. Scarlett's brows creased at the small action.