Ghost Kiss

Lily

     I get to the diner with five minutes to spare. I use that five minutes to look in my visor mirror. My face isn't quite as red or puffy anymore. If she notices, maybe I can shrug it off as a bad makeup day. I roll my eyes at myself knowing how stupid that sounds and just decide to go inside and wing it. I stop cradling my wrist and just focus on getting through this without them knowing that I'm hurt. I don't want anything to hinder me from getting this job. My savings won't last forever.

     I go inside and sit down at the same booth I was in the day before. Upon seeing me Viv waves and smiles. I wave and smile back. Then I see Phyllis walking toward me out of what I assume is her office holding a stack of papers.

     "Hey, you're right on time. I like that. Here's the paperwork. I do need to fill out an application but it's just for the files, you've already got the job. Then there's the tax paperwork that everyone loves filling out, and then there's your availability paperwork. Just write on there when your classes are so I know when you are unreachable and when I can't schedule you and we will get you in where we can." She says as she sits down across from me and puts the stack of paperwork in front of me.

     "Yes ma'am." I start on the paperwork filling out all my information. "Don't call me ma'am. I'm either Phyllis or Grammy. Never ma'am. No, you just fill out that stuff and bring it to my office when you're done." "Ok Grammy," I say softly trying it out. She smiles big at me and I feel a warmth I haven't felt since my Grandma died. It's decided. From here on out, she's Grammy.

     I fill out all the paperwork thanking my lucky stars that the wrist I injured is my right and not my left. Otherwise, writing would be torture I feel. I get done with all the paperwork and bring it to Grammy's office. "Great you can start Saturday at 9 am. That should give you the rest of today and tomorrow to get a little better situated at home and give me time to track down a uniform for you." "That's perfect! Thank you so much!" I hug her feeling so thankful. But then realize I shouldn't have. Not because I didn't want to hug her, but because in my excitement I forgot about my wrist, and pain instantly sprang up my arm. I quickly reared back and Grammy glared at me. "Are you hurt?" I was busted. "I hurt my wrist this morning but didn't want you to think that I still couldn't work. I promise it won't interfere with my job. I'll do everything you need me to do. I'll figure it out. Please give me this chance." "Stop right there." She says in her mother tongue. I know from my own mother that tone is not to be ignored. "Of course, you're still hired. And you will still start on Saturday. We will train you and you can shadow Viv until you are healed and only pick up things with your good hand until you're healed enough. But don't you ever hide an injury from me for any reason ever again. I need to know when my employees are hurt so you don't feel forced to injure yourself further. Is that understood?" She says sternly. "Yes, Grammy!" I say as I hang my head in shame for trying to hide it from her. "Ok, now you get on and go wrap it up and don't forget to ice it tonight." "I won't. Thank you." I gently hug her this time and head out of her office.

     As I'm walking out Viv stops me. "So you got the job! Guess we are going to be work besties!" I love her already. "Hopefully maybe even real besties. It will be nice to have a friend in town." I beam at her. I gently hug her too and leave her to her work. I head out to my truck and pull away and head down to the store. I was already planning on buying a wrap for it but now that Grammy says to do it I feel a sense of real urgency for it. I'm once again thankful that it was my right wrist. Otherwise even driving would be weird.

     I'm driving down the road and start thinking about this morning. What was going on with my keys? What was going on with those drawers? What was going on with that door? I decide that once I get home I'm investigating. I want answers and I'm going to get them.