A New Dawn

IV

   Idalia drove back to the restaurant in silence — no radio, no singing, nothing. She wasn't even sure she was breathing until she released a deep and heavy breath once she pulled into the cozy restaurant's parking lot. She wondered how she even made it back, her body just navigated her to the restaurant without her even paying attention.

   She sat in silence, listening to the cars on the street speeding past and the sound of her own anxious breathing. Idalia still couldn't believe what she'd witnessed.
   
Don't think about it anymore, she thought.

   The way she was bent over his knee—

    Don't think about it anymore.

   Okay.. but the way the tie was covering her eye—

  I said don't think about it anymore.

   ..Did you see how red her ass wa—

   Bitch, stop!

   Idalia squeezed her eyes shut, the mini Idalia in her brain nervously waving away the scenes that played in her mind like a teacher erasing a chalkboard.

   "Alright, alright." She muttered to herself. Her stomach was in knots. Her face was still burning. "This never would've happened if fucking Isaiah came to work."

   But then you wouldn't have seen—
  
   STOP!

  Thesexyassofficemanwhatifthatwasyou—

   Idalia screeched internally. She just needed to forget about it, focus on something else. Idalia exited the delivery van and entered Ma's Place, she definitely wouldn't think about it anymore.  Since the lunch hour had now passed, the busyness of the restaurant died down. Her eyes wandered over the calm restaurant, inhaling the delicious aroma that wafted from the kitchen. Mmm, smells like Nanny's lemon butter baked chicken.

   Idalia made her way down the aisle, taking in the cozy yet chic interior. Mary Alice had taste when it came to cooking and interior design. Mini monstera vines made their way along the top of the booths, intertwining amongst themselves. Idalia pressed a finger to the soil of the potted plant, noting that it was dry. I should water this later.

   "Hey Idi, how's the delivery go?" Anais asked cheerfully, wrapping her arm around Idalia's shoulders. She looked at her best friend, lips tucked into her mouth. Anais eyed her worriedly, immediately seeing something was the matter.

   "Idalia, what's wrong? Did they say something to you?" She placed both hands on her friend's shoulders, turning Idalia so she could see her properly. Something wasn't right.

   "C'mere.." Idalia looked around the restaurant, making sure there were no eavesdroppers. She didn't want anybody listening in, especially Mary Alice. She was too innocent to listen to this smut.

   "Bitch," Idalia started. "tell me why the fuck I walked in on this dude smacking this girl's ass?" Idalia was being so serious but the minute she stared at Anais' face, scanning her reaction, she fought back a laugh. Anais had that look on her face, the face your friend makes when you make eye contact with them from across the room after someone says some dumb shit.

   "What?!" Anais laughed loudly, "Like, her ass or her ass ass?"

   Idalia's eyes widened as she nodded her head fervently, "Shh! Her ass ass, Anais. Like butterball naked, bare ass." Anais laughed sporadically, trying to calm herself before they gained unwanted attention.

   "That's actually crazy as fuck." Anais chuckled, shaking her head. "Maybe we should work there?"
   Idalia playfully elbowed her as they walked towards the kitchen. "Hell no, you should've seen how red it was."