Tears Of London

Emergency

JO

I am leaving school at 14:15. My management school. My economic classes ended earlier than I expected, so I take the opportunity to go to the store earlier. I have a part-time job at Tesco Express (the local supermarket) since the beginning of the year. I work there almost every day directly after school, to earn a little money that helps me to pay my apartment rent.
- Jo ! Already here ? is surprised Maya, a cashier with whom I'm a hypocrite.
I know she's too, that's how it is between us.
- Yes, I finished school early. How are you ?
We are in the changing rooms of the store. I put my uniform on.
- Great, and you ? I'm warning you, you're gonna pout when you'll see the mission that is waiting for you. HEAVY WORK LOAD.
- Why ? There are new arrivals I have to tidy up ?
- A LOT.
I grimace. If she says right and I have a lot of work this afternoon, it's a good thing I arrived early.
- Well, see you, girl. Be brave, Maya adds before leaving the changing room.

*

As Maya expected, I have to stay late to finish tidying the shelves. I left the supermarket at 19:00 and get home, in my lovely apartment. I live alone here. Even if, sometimes, Jared stays for the night. And Kelly too.
I just finished showering when someone knocks at the door. It is Jared, all smiling, with a bottle of champagne in the hand.
- Hey, honey, he says from the back, to my ear.
- Hey. How was your day ?
- Nice.
I am cutting a mushroom for an omelette.
- Have you eaten yet ? I ask while mixing the mushrooms with the eggs.
- Yes.
He fills my glass with champagne and gives it to me.
- Thanks.
- How was your day ? Mine was perfect. I had a PT class. It was really interesting.
- You had...what ?
- PT class. Come on, Jo ! Political Theory !
I turn my head and roll my eyes. I don't want to show him how much I am fed up with his political studies.
- OH ! OH !! Oh, Jo look at that ! Jared is maddening, showing me his phone.
He doesn't give me time to see what he is showing me because he takes it away. Why is he so excited ?
- What ? I did not see.
- Dad is downstairs, in the parking. He just arrived.
I always found cringe the way he was calling his dad "Dad", as if it was mine too, and we were brothers and sisters.
- Your father ? He was supposed to come ? I ask, putting my eggs into the stove. Why ?
- No, but he has an emergency.
I turn to him straight, worried. His father is a graded cop. He is sometimes involved in violent missions.
- What ? What kind of emergency ? I say.
- Who cares ? It's probably a policeman stuff or...well, hurry up, we're gonna be late !
- Late ? Wait...we're coming with him ?
Are we even allowed to ? I mean, in the law ?
- Yes ! Hurry up ! he yells at me, suddenly grabbing my arm.
I turn off the fire just before he pulls me outside.
Then, we join Jared's father, who's inviting us to come into his car.