Chanel
I looked at my phone and rolled my eyes, realizing my time to clock out wasn't for another 40 minutes. To stall time, I washed the tables and took customers orders.
Working at a diner was never my dream, obviously. I always wanted to do hair. That's what I went to college for, but soon had to drop out to take care of my grandmother. After I cut ties with my mother completely, my nana was the only person who I could turn to. She was my mother figure basically.
I never wanted to talk to my "mother" again. After she did what she did, I could never forgive her. Abandoning me and my brother for her boyfriend hurt. Always taking his side even when he was in the wrong. He controlled her and she let him. I understand what love can make you do, but damn. A woman never suppose to put a man before her children. Clearly, she didn't get that.
He manipulated her and I hated it. It was like she was a different person when he came around. When she was with us, it was all about us. But that changed because of him.
I was snapped out of my thoughts by my Melanie yelling her ass of.
"Chanel, what the hell you doin'? Get to work! You'on get paid to sit on yo' ass all damn day."
I rolled my eyes and went to wipe off the tables. That bitch really worked my nerves. Bitches get a title as a manager and don't know how to act. I didn't care what position the bitch moved up to, I wasn't gonna get yelled at like I was a fucking child. But because working at this shitty ass place was my only income, I had no choice but to deal with the shit.
I checked my phone again and walked to the back to put my apron and hat in my locker.
"Hey Nelle, you clockin' out?" I turned to see Heaven sitting on the bench eating.
"Yeah, gettin' the hell outta here." I chuckled.
Heaven was a good friend of mine. We've been friends since I've started working here 4 years ago. She was a humble person and wasn't full of herself like the other Atlanta bitches in here. That's what made me rock with her like I do.
"Wish I could say the same, I'm in this bitch for another hour." She rolled her eyes, biting into her sandwich.
"Mark my words, once I get this second job, im out this jam." I nodded.
"I hear you, girl. I wanna get back to school. Start my own business, my own salon. Need the money first tho." I closed my locker and leaned against it.
She turned to me and put her elbows on her knees. "You think nana gon be okay if you do go back?"
I shook my head. My nana was too sick to be left alone. Yeah, she had my brother, but he's in school. I don't want him to be stressed out about school and nana. He's just a kid.
"I wanna go back so bad-"
"So go, Nelle. Najee can take care of nana, he's old enough."
I sighed. "I don't want him to stress about her. I want him to focus on school and only school. Plus, I don't want him to see her like this. It's too much for him to handle."
I felt myself getting emotional. My nana was all I had. If I lost her, I would for sure be on my own. Yes on my own. I didn't know my father. Well, I know him but I don't know him. I barely remember him being in my life. Didn't want him in my life then, damn sure not now.
"I gotta go, ima call you when I make it home." I placed my bag over my shoulder. I walked pass the counter and spotted Melanie looking at me. Not today, bitch. Not today.
