Stuck With Francis

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8:52...8:53...8:54...

Time felt like forever as I waited fervently for my watch to reach closing hour. I worked an eight hour shift as a deckhand for the ferries pulling in and out of Cape Cod which meant I had to endure the presence of nosy tourists all day just to be repaid with minimum wage. I do enjoy being out on the water, which is why I've been a trusted worker for two years. Once I turned 15, I looked for a job immediately so I could stop relying on my asshole father. This was the first place to take me and it was good enough. It'll only stick until I leave for college and ditch this town, whenever that will be. 

"Lio, can you do a recount, I don't think I have it right." Wayne, my coworker, beckoned me over to check if he counted our tips evenly, which he has never been successful at. Although he's a little simple, slow if you will, I like the way he makes things seem less serious. Things in general--work, life, annoying passengers--, everything is just splendid to him. 

"See, I counted 48 dollars each, but I also got confused with separating the 20's and 10's." 

Bless his soul.

"You were actually close this time, Wayne. We each get 62 bucks tonight." He wasn't close at all, but I like to make him feel better. I'm the only one that doesn't constantly reprimand him for being an idiot. 

I finished wiping the ship windows and grabbed my keys and tips, saying bye to Wayne as I headed out onto the dock. The walk back home truly is the most satisfying part of my day and I cherish every minute of it. The crisp September air of Cape Cod, the feeling of triumph from finishing a long day and adding more cash to my "BMW Fund", the fact that once I get home I'll be slamming myself onto my soft, warm bed. There are no worries or fears on my walk home, just pure carefree satisfaction. Unless of course a random stranger pops out behind the electric tank and knocks me out of my bliss. 

"Ah! Hello little one, mind if I trouble you for a minute?" It was this random old guy wearing a hideous bright tracksuit, not a sight I was willing to see at this moment. 

"I'm sorry sir, we just closed!" I kept walking. I didn't get very far until I noticed his ghostly presence behind me, following me like a shadow. As much as he was annoying me, I didn't want to make him feel bad, poor old man, and so I turned and smiled, waiting for him to tell me what in the world he wants.

"You're Vince's boy, is that right?"

I paused in confusion. How did he know my father?

"Oh, yes I am actually. I'm Aurelio, nice to meet you." I cordially replied. He suddenly grabbed my hand with both arms and shook it in an oddly excited manner, talking about how he and my father "go back a long time" and how he came here to "meet me". What kind of creep shows up at 9 o'clock at night to meet an old friend's son? 

Trying but unable to hide my discomfort, I asked, "So what brings you out here to meet me, did my father tell you to come?"

"Oh no, no, I just embarked on my nightly stroll and decided to stop by."

Odd.

"Wow, I last saw you when you were 3 feet shorter and chewed on crayons. Look at how much you've grown up!" 

I was officially over this. Who is this random stalker, should I cry for help? 

"Well, I won't hold up your night any longer, you're probably late to a party or poker session or whatever young men do these days. Just know, you're gonna be seeing me a lot more often nowadays!"

Great, exactly what I wanted to hear. He swiftly left and continued his "nightly stroll" and once his bright white tracksuit left my field of vision I let out a deep sigh, rushing home to confront my father about this weirdo. 

I meandered through the streets with haste until I finally reached the shithole on 12th, or in other words my house. Barging in the door, I walk in front of the TV which my father's eyes are transfixed on and confront him immediately. Hearing my story, he only gives me a small reaction, a slight widening of the eyes and a measly scoff. 

"Jesus Christ, he actually showed up to your work? That Kenny's got some serious problems." And he turns back to the TV and ignores my presence once again. 

"Um, hello?? Care to enlighten me on who this Kenny person is?" 

"Just an old friend, he and his family moved back to Cape Cod. We used to work on the boats together until he started his own company."

"God, dad, he said I'm going to be seeing a lot more of him, is that true?" I anxiously inquired. 

"Probably, he's been a brother to me in the past. Helped us out a lot when your mom was still around."

"I don't want to be around that stalker ever again! Or his family!"

"They're loaded."

I paused with interest. 

"I'll tell you this, Lio. I don't know where I stand on the whole 'retying old knots' deal anyways. I'm grabbing lunch with him tomorrow, but you shouldn't freak out over this. Now let me keep watching Law & Order."

And with that, I went up to my room like a neglected child. The whole ordeal left my mind anyways as soon as I got to my bed and wolfed down some leftover fettuccine.

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