SOUL TIES (The Sánchez Brothers Series, Book 1)

CHAPTER 3 : DEBBIE

"You've got to be kidding me right now."

The childish titter beside me made me want to stomp like a spoilt kid. I squinted at the plate before me and scowled.

"This is the Kiddies Special?" My eyes widened when the man nodded with an amused expression on his face. "How is this a Special? Please I'd like to know." I pushed the plate a little. "Señor, what is special about a peanut butter and jelly sandwich? And this tiny juice box?" Mikayla's howl made me glower at the flimsy snack on the plate and I looked at the waiter. "How much does this cost?"

"Just the Kiddies Special? $25."

I burst out in wild laughter and slowly stopped when the waiter didn't crack a smile. I cleared my throat in haste and my voice reduced to a disbelieving whisper. "You were serious?" His nod made a guttural sound that sounded an awful lot like a sob emanate from my throat. "You can't be serious, Señor. A slap ass PB&J sandwich shouldn't cost more than 50 cents." I lifted the small sandwich from the plate and gave it a quick inspection. "This shit is not even close to slap ass. And the juice box? Bro, this whole shit should not cost more than $5 and that's even doing too much. This Kiddies Special is a fraud and I feel so violated right now." I looked around the busy room. "Where's the manager? I need to know why he thought it appropriate to open a crime scene in the guise of a restaurant."

The waiter chuckled softly before responding. "I am the manager."

"So you're the fraudster in question?" I eyed him distrustfully and nodded towards Mikayla. "So how much does the waffle cost? $200?"

"$7.5."

I sniffed the air in a haughty manner and looked away. "That sounds just about alright. At least, your madness didn't get to the waffles pricing."

A few seconds later, the man left and I brought my overpriced sandwich to my lips. The outrageous price made the snack taste as vile as I assumed bile would taste. I huffed in annoyance as I munched and within a minute, the plate was squeaky clean save for a few bread crumbs. My stomach growled as I swallowed the last bite down my throat. It was almost like it was complaining of the waste of money. A few curse words left my lips as I poked the juice box with a straw. I could feel my daughter's stare as I slurped the drink.

"How does it taste? Is it good?"

She nodded slowly as she chewed. "It's good. Not as good as yours though. Just okay, I guess." I bit the inside of my cheeks to prevent the gigantic grin that was threatening to expose itself. Mikayla was a very blunt kid who'd never sugar-coat words to please anybody. The one time I dyed my hair orange, she told me I looked like Blossom from The Powerpuff Girls, just without her characteristic fringe. I had never hated a cartoon character more. So Kayla's compliments always meant a lot to me.

While Mikayla tried to finish her meal, I remembered I never actually got a reply from Amber. She should be surprised at my email, I was one of the most dedicated staffs after all, if not the most dedicated. I never took yearly leaves, always worked extra hours and even weekends, punctual to the core, overly eager to take on new clients. I was the perfect employee, the wet dream for every employer. Amber and WeCare Inc. at large were very lucky to have me. My eyes widened slightly as I stared at my keys on the table. Where did I leave my phone? My eyes had already narrowed in deep concentration as I tried to recollect when Kayla said something that made my brain do a double spin.

"Shit." My 8 year old daughter muttered and I craned my ears to be sure I heard right.

"Mujer joven, what did you just say?"

Kayla's face was full of confusion and I understood why. I only called her 'Young woman' when I was extra mad at her and she was probably wondering why I was suddenly mad at her. I quirked my brows incredulously, hoping she'd catch on. It took about a minute but the moment she did, she slapped her hand on her mouth.