Of Carburetors and Creampuffs

Chapter 5: The difference between support and smothering

Camila awoke with a sharp inhale as her alarm blared not far from her ear. It was Monday again and the shop still needed to be run, despite the grief hanging around her and her friends.

She swiped her thumb across her phone screen to dismiss her alarm before falling back into her pillows with a sigh. Bleary eyed she looked up at her ceiling and mapped the imperfections, cataloging them as though they had significance. Something had to, right?

With difficulty Camila finally pulled herself from her warm and cozy blankets to prepare for the day. She threw on an olive green tank top and shorts as well as her thick boot socks and steel toes after throwing some pop tarts into the toaster. Finishing with the last lace, she heard the toaster pop.

Her dad would certainly have had something to say to her if he knew she was eating such sugary foods for breakfast, even though they technically were a breakfast food. Logic (or Camila's at any rate) didn't work with an overprotective father. She ate them quickly before washing them down with some cocoa.

After finishing breakfast and brushing her teeth, Camila grabbed her wallet and keys before stepping out of her house. It was still dark as was to be expected. Her shop opened at 7 so she was never out of the house later than 6. She generally worked the first 3 hours with only one employee to help out so she had a short respite until she had to deal with everyone.

They all thought she was taking SJ's death really hard but of course they didn't know the real reason. She could have survived and Camila would still be having a rough go of it. Being back in a hospital in those sorts of circumstances had just brought old and unresolved feelings back to the surface. She didn't need them checking up on her, not if she hoped to keep the truth from them.

She parked her car and got out quickly, making it to the front door and unlocking it without fuss. She disabled the alarm and started the process of cashing in and readying the shop for the morning rush. She specifically opened at 7 so people could get their cars in on their way to work. It had garnered her some browny points among the locals and she was glad of it. Throwing on her coveralls, Camila went into work mode.

***

Troy had been the one to come in for 7 to work with her that morning and thankfully, they weren't in a talkative mood. Camila knew that had it been Dinah she would have been hounded constantly for answers regarding her well being. She knew Dinah only did it out of concern for Camila but she was over it. If she wanted to talk she would, end of story.

"Hey Mila, we finally have a lull in customers so I'm gonna take my coffee break, okay?" Troy wiped their brow with the back of their hand, smearing grease across it.

"For sure, I'll just be washing the bay out so take your time." She was already in the process of spraying the floor down with cleaner.

Troy nodded their head before heading to the sink to wash up. Ally would kill them if they showed up in the office dirty. Troy dried their hands and made the short walk to the back of the shop.

Opening the door they saw Ally look up, a small smile lighting her face. "Hey honey, is it break time already?"

"Yeah the morning rush just ended so I'm taking advantage of the situation. Besides, Mila looked like she needed a moment to herself." Troy situated themselves on the edge of the desk.

Ally frowned as she replied "I'm worried about her. I didn't think she'd take SJ's passing so hard since she barely knew her. Especially with Normani out of the woods and on the mend."

Troy shook their head as they glanced towards the door, "Honestly Ally, I don't think that's what has her so shook up. I don't know what it is exactly but SJ isn't it." He looked back at Ally with a concerned expression.