Brewed to Perfection

Part 5

That was four months ago, and since then Jerry actually went out of his way to not schedule our shifts together. Apparently "the atmosphere was too uncomfortable" for other workers when we were on shift together.

In those four months, I had not talked to Benjamin or made eye contact. We had a closing shift around the time he first started, but i made sure to hide in the stock room or pretend to clean, already clean tables just to avoid being left alone with him behind the counter. He tried to ask me a question once about our decaf options but i just pretended i hadnt heard him and continued refilling the milk fridge.

Last month, everyone was invited to some drinks at Bev's house (another Brewtiful employee.) People had to RSVP that they were able to attend and everyone had said yes. Everyone, including Benjamin. So obviously i had to say no.

Jerry took me into his office just after that time, and asked me what was going on. He sussed out that we probably knew each other, since we both mentioned we had studied at St.Gerards and were also both 21.

I still didn't tell Jerry anything. The conversation was still fresh in my mind

"Maeve, what is up with you and Benny?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Maeve. I don't think you two have said a single word to each other."

"And?..."

"At first it was because I thought you had a little crush... but I'm starting to believe you hate him. Why do you hate Benny?"

"I don't hate benny."

"Well you sure do act like it. Poor lad tries talking to you or even looking at you, all you do is scowl and walk away."

"Like I said, I don't hate him."

"Bev said when you were on shift with her the other week, when Benny walked through the door to start his shit, she heard you hiss!"

"Oh come on, I never hissed, Bev likes to be dramatic."

"And don't get me started on Bev's cocktail night. I heard you tell Paula, Erin and Twyla that you were going to go, but you waited for Benny to RSVP before you then declined."

"What has the poor boy ever done to you?"

"Poor boy? This has to be a joke."

"I'm getting sick of the way you're treating him, Maeve. It's not the kind of environment or work relationships we want here at Brewtiful. So you better buck up and apologise for being so rude to him, or we will have to negotiate your contract."

"Negotiate MY contract? I've been here for nearly five years more than Benjamin!"

"There you go again with calling him 'Benjamin', he introduced himself as Benny. His name tag states very clearly that his name is Benny. Why do you refuse to call him Benny?"

"Benny is a stupid name. And I bet my cat's life on the fact his birth certificate doesn't say that name."

"Maeve, it's enough now. You better start talking and being nice to that boy or we will have to have another chat very shortly. I mean it."

"Jerry, You've just got to trust me. Please. I don't care if he's best friends with everyone and people think I'm being unsociable and mean, just please don't make me talk to him."

I think Jerry realised then, that my begging and pleading probably related to something deeper than me just being rude to the new guy.

Apparently, after that uncomfortable chat, Twyla overheard Benjamin and Jerry having a chat in the office later that week. She told me she didn't catch much but she definitely heard my name come out of Benjamin's mouth.

After that, I had been expecting Jerry to call me back into his office but he surprisingly didn't. I wasn't sure what they had talked about in the office and I dread to think Benjamin had told Jerry that he was ok with me ignoring him. Or worse, tell him about our past.