When It Rains

Chapter 5

Valerie

I walked into the store the next morning with my eyes half closed – don’t get me wrong I slept really well, I just wasn’t ready to come out and greet the day yet. My eyes were shutting constantly in protest of being dragged out into the day, even my muscles were screaming out against me.

Mumbling to myself under my breath I stalked through the store in the dark, knowing that I wouldn’t be able to handle the lights. As I walked into the staff kitchen thing a mug of coffee shoved itself out at me from the door, steaming and delicious. I grabbed it from the pale hand that could only belong to Billi – the black nail polish and red net sleeves were a dead giveaway too.

Without looking at her or saying thank you I grabbed it like a life preserver and blew on it before taking a large gulp. Mumbling some more to myself I collapsed onto a chair at the diner style table we had against the far wall and rest my hands on my temples; leaning over my steamy coffee I probably looked like I was saying some kind of ritualistic prayer over it.

The door in the back opened and slammed shut followed by a pair of manly chuckles that could only belong to Paul and Wyatt. I could feel Billi’s stare on me, in fact I could feel everyone’s stare and I really wasn’t in the mood for it.

“What’s up Val?" Paul asked delicately, afraid that I’d snap; I always knew he was wise. I answered without looking at him.

“I am severely tired because once again I was out here later than I should’ve been with this damn delivery last night. As a consequence of your constant slacking I’ve hired a new minion, minions meet, Wyatt, Wyatt, meet the minions.”

In outrage Billi started yelling. “I can’t believe you hired someone without checking him out with us first!”

“Maybe if you were here more I would have.” I drawled, before sipping some more coffee.

“Hey –!“

Snapping my head up in her direction I was about to make a serious get go and let loose, until I actually looked at her that is.

“What the hell happened to your face?!" I almost yelled.

Paul laughed his ass off in the corner while my eyes widened over Billi’s swollen face, she looked like a mobster in one of those Mafia movies with grapes stuck in their cheeks to plump them out.

Glowering, Billi ran her finger across her throat at Paul which stopped his laughter dead before she turned back to me.

“I told you I had a dentist appointment!”

“Ah ha – the fangs have arrived!” Paul did a little dance by the door, which naturally set Billi off.

“One more word about fangs and I will impale you with my drum sticks, Paul, I mean it – do not test me!”

Rolling my eyes I decided to shut them both up. “Calm down children, it’s too early for your bickering – you’ve both got jobs to do so I suggest you go do them before I find something big enough to impale both of you with at the same time, got it”!?

“Yes Ma’am.”

“Whatever.”

I heard Billi’s boots muffle Paul’s footsteps as they walked out of the staff room, Paul into the back to rifle through his delivery of Tech guy stuff and Billi out front to man the desk, it took a minute and for him to sit down opposite me for me to remember that Wyatt was here. I hoped I looked appropriately apologetic.

“Sorry, Wyatt. This isn’t very professional of me, especially not on your first day.”

He smiled good naturedly all the same. “No worries, are you ok though?  You don’t look so good.”