Almost Normal (Editing)

Chapter Six

JADE

Every weekend from noon to five I work at an ice cream parlor. The manager/owner of the place got this great idea to turn an abandoned two story house into an ice cream parlor. He wanted it to be old timey, but with a modern twist. You could use the free WiFi while listening to the classics. We sold eight different flavors, all of them changing daily. Some of the flavors of the day included: butternut squash, kale, dark chocolate with cacao nibs and hemp. The last one surprisingly a popular flavor with the older folks.

I worked with a couple other people, both who were probably in community college and doing it for the free ice cream. I on the other hand did it because I needed the money if I was going to move out one day. The free ice cream was also a perk. The busiest times are usually when I'm there and today was no different. I was handing a customer their bailey's float (play on a root beer float) when a small child came running in screaming for ice cream.

"Ice Cream mommy! I want ice cream!" It yelled fogging up the glass.

My Co worker gave me a sympathetic look from the register as the mother came in. She did not look like someone who you'd expect to be a mom. She was very fit with perfect make up and a designer bag. She took off her sunglasses looking over the menu then looking at me not trying to hide the disgust on her face.

"Do you have a children's menu?" She asked.

"I'm sorry?" I replied, not sure if she was serious or not.

"Children's menu! You know, cookies and cream and rainbow sherbet." She said hand on her hip.

"Uh... no ma'am we don't. We have vanilla and hot fudge though." I said.

The small child threw himself to the ground and started kicking and hitting the hardwood floors. "I want ice cream mommy! I want ice cream now!" It shouted turning red in the face.

The mother merely stood there tight lipped, ignoring the screaming child by her feet. The rest of the customers who were eating their frozen dessert took that as a sign to leave. That's when my boss came rushing out from the back wearing an off white apron and sporting his exaggerated mustache as always. He took one look around seeing the screaming child and the mother ignoring it.

"Is that yours?" He said pointing to the screaming child.

The mother glanced down and then studied her manicure. "We want to see your children's menu." She said calmly.

"Ma'am I'm sure Jade here told you that we don't have a children's menu."

"We'll why not? I want to see your manager. This is a highly unprofessional establishment." She said looking around him in disgust.

"Ma'am I am the manager and owner of this 'unprofessional' establishment." He said sternly. "And as the owner and manager I have the right to refuse service to anyone, including you. Now will you please leave? There's a Baskin Robin's I'm sure down the road."

The mother stood there glaring at us. She then scruffed her child by the back of the shirt and lead him outside kicking and screaming along the way. Eventually the day got back to its normal pace, people coming in and hanging out with friends or to work on projects. Soon Jamie and Alexandra came in just as I was taking my break. I told them about the screaming child while also telling Alexandra that she'd be a great mom. My boss gave them both complimentary scoops of his upcoming lavender ice cream. Once we finished our snacks they stuck around while I cleaned up. Alexandra went with my boss to the back to see how he makes the ice cream and Jamie flirted with one of the other Co workers.

Once everything was cleaned and no more customers were coming in my boss decided to let us all go early. Alexandra was craving breakfast at McDonalds so we decided to go there in case her pregnancy mood swings got her into trouble again. Watching her scarf down breakfast muffins and Jamie trying to not be grossed out by the sticky surfaces made me smile.