An Unlikely Connection: Part 3

Chapter 5: Family Pressure

"Sorry, sir," I said, giving the last copy of a video game to a customer. "We are all out." While the overweight acne-ridded man mumbled cuss words and had a temper tantrum, I clicked on my computer screen to set up entering his contact information. "Hey, enter your information so you'll be notified of the next shipment."

"No, I'll just buy the digial version," he said and left. On his way out, he nearly bumped into Yosefin.

"He didn't look too happy," she said.

"The game he wanted wasn't available."

"Ah..."

"So," I said and messed around with game boxes behind the counter to make it look like I was busy. "You're off early."

"Jack started his shift early. My boss said I could leave if I wanted to. I did not hesitate."

"Busy day?" She pressed her lips in and nodded. The store phone rang a second later.

"My house when you're done?" I nodded while I spoke with a customer. My coworker came out of the backroom once I got off the phone and Yosefin was halfway out of the building.

"So, that's her, eh?" He said softly. Once Yosefin was a few feet into the cafeteria, my coworker ran up the entrance to get a better look at her. "God, she's hot!" His comment made me laugh and proud to at least know others found her attractive.

"You should have seen her with blonde hair."

"Do you have pictures?"

"I'll show you after work."

I forgot I was supposed to show my coworker pictures of Yosefin when I clicked my seatbelt in. Since it wasn't important, I drove straight to Yosefin's house. I didn't tell her I was coming. She was painting her nails on her bed in a bra and shorts when I came into her room. They were yellow and shined under the fan light.

"Need some help?" I said.

"Wouldn't that be cute," she said, smiling. "Too bad I'm finished." I check around her room to find something I can do for her. The trash under her desk was full of empty snack bags and empty cans. In the corner near the right side of the bed against a wall was a pile of dirty clothes.

"Your room is a bit trashy."

"Yeah," she said, glancing at what I saw and at other things I didn't notice at first. "You should see my bathroom." Her sink was cluttered with makeup. The last time I was there, I remembered seeing everything in order from the lightest colors to the darkest ones.

"Well, I guess we better clean up."

"What?" She giggled.

"I'll start in the room. You clean the bathroom." She didn't move from the bed as I gathered her clothes into my arms. "Move your butt, Yosefin."

"Okay, okay. Make sure you separate the colors."

The laundry room was located in the far corner at the back of the house. Instead of having two machines for washing and drying, they had a two-in-one that washed and dried. I threw in her dark clothes first. They were mostly shorts, socks, and underwear. The machine had an automatic detergent dispenser. All I had to do was start the cycle.

I headed back to her room to find her organizing her makeup collection from lightest to darkest colors. I didn't want to distract her so I went for trash under the desk. After I threw it in the garbage and came back, she was still in the bathroom.

"You're still arranging?" I said.

"I found other stuff I need to do." She came out of the bathroom with purple latex gloves on.