tyler's point of view
"you're gonna be able to handle the prom rush on your own tomorrow?"
"i think i'll manage," jenna says, leaning against the counter.
"oh, speaking of, i heard from a little birdy that they're considering giving you a promotion," i tell her.
"what?!"
"if you want it. they know your availability is tight, so they were talking about either that or just giving you a raise. you're pretty much our best employee."
she smiles wide. "that's... that's great to hear, tyler. thank you."
"don't thank me. i brag about how great you are all the time. you deserve it."
she pulls me into a hug. "you're a great friend, you know that?"
"i try."
the rest of night goes by okay, until right before close.
a woman comes in and orders a meal to-go. this is nothing unusual. we get take-out orders all the time.
she opens the box to check her food. she's not happy.
"why are there tomatoes?"
"the number seven comes with onions, cherry tomatoes, and lettuce," i tell her.
"i didn't want tomatoes," she says, her voice flat.
"i'm sorry, ma'am. you didn't specify that when you ordered. would you like for me to remake it?"
she narrows her eyes at me, i guess interpreting my tone as condescending, even though that wasn't my intention.
"i'd like to speak to your manager."
fantastic.
"i am the manager on shift right now, ma'am."
"what? you? you're like fourteen, why would you be manager? a child has no place running a restaurant," she explains. of course, i've already heard similar comments on many occasions.
"i'm nineteen and food safe certified. i've passed every other examination necessary for the position. i'm just as qualified to be manager as someone twice my age."
"well, this is fucking ridiculous. i want to speak to a real manager and not some disrespectful kid."
"aright, ma'am, i'm going to have to ask you to leave, please."
"i want a refund. and i want my food to be remade correctly this time, since this place is filled with a bunch of goddamn idiots." she leans forward so she's closer than i'm comfortable with, in an effort to intimidate me.
"i'll process your refund. i'm still going to have to ask you to step back and leave though or i'll have to call the police."
"police? this is ridiculous. here. take your stupid food," she says, tossing the open box at me before storming out.
as soon as she's gone, jenna comes up to me with an apologetic look on her face.
"tyler, are you okay? i'm so sorry. i figured stepping in would've made things worse," she says.
i sigh. "it's fine, jen. you're right, it probably would've made her more upset. you don't have to apologize. i'm okay." i bring the heels of my hands to my eyes. "i'm gonna clean this up and then step outside for a minute. could you start closing the lobby?"
"of course. i'll clean up. you go take your break. don't worry about it," she assures.
"thank you, jenna."
YOU ARE READING
clementine // joshler
Fanfiction"i don't need anyone. i just need everyone and then some." - in which tyler is a senior in high-school who's been living on his own for two years and josh is a teacher fresh out of college who's just gotten out of a four-year relationship. - #1 in t...
