OFF THE RECORD (First Person)

12. Broken Machine

Regina

I was changing into my work uniform. I had already put on some black pants and a black polo shirt with the logo of my parents' taqueria. I was tying up my apron when my mother knocked on the door.

"Reg, don't forget to make the beer order before you clock in. It needs to be in before twelve tomorrow." Mama Julia told me thru my locked door.

"Si, mama." I answered, exasperated.

I knew of my responsibilities. I didn't need my parents' constant reminder. But, knowing them, they would continue to do so as long as they were the heads of the restaurant.

I could hear the running and the yells from my nephews, out in the hall. Our house had been a mad one since my older sister, Renata, had moved back in, with her two sons in tow, after she had divorced her husband.

I didn't blame her, or our parents for taking her in. She was alone. Her husband, who had been her high school sweetheart, had gotten her pregnant at the age of seventeen, making her drop out of school.

She was twenty-three now, and while she pretended to have a good life with her partner, it wasn't until she arrived with a black eye and a bursted lip to our front door that she opened up to us of what was going on behind closed doors.

Renata had taken over working the morning shift and I was her relief.

In honesty, I enjoyed working the night shift better. I was not an early bird, and I enjoyed the night life. My parents, even if somewhat harsh, had given up on keeping me home late. They only asked me to respect their house and help out, which I did happily.

I had beaten my sisters' record of teen pregnancy, since my oldest sister, Rebecca, had also dropped out at eighteen to take care of her own family.

It was my greatest accomplishment. That, and graduating high school and getting a vocational degree in network administration. That was more than enough school for me. I had continued studying to please my parents, to not seem like a total failure, and to show them that if they didn't support me, I could take care on my own. I had literally just closed my eyes and picked between networking or becoming an electrician. That didn't matter now, anyway.

I did the beer order as soon as I arrived at work. I clocked in, putting my best happy face as I entered the front of the house. I had a full team tonight.

I took care of the drive thru window, the register, making drinks and helping my team.

While the rushes of people came less often now that school season had started, it had been pretty busy, keeping me entertained all night. Best of all, it had been a clear night with no complaints or mishaps.

I rolled my eyes at the couple of compliments that had been left for me in the receipts that the customers left. I was used to getting them, at least once every night.

At closing time, I allowed myself to check my phone. I bit my lower lip, realizing that only Erica had written me back, telling me that unfortunately neither she, nor Memo, were going to be able to make it to Tomas's concert.

I didn't think I was going to be able to go either. I usually worked that day, and my parents were struggling to find new employees. I was going to try and ask for it off if Jose confirmed his attendance. But he hadn't messaged neither our group chat, nor my direct message.

I returned to my messages, making sure I had sent it. I saw the two blue check marks, indicating he had opened and read the message.

Something bubbled inside my stomach. He had avoided me for some time. He couldn't deny it. Ever since the miscarriage he had been distant, but lately he cut me up completely.