Family Bonds

Chapter 3, Episode 3

She looked at her watch as she cleaned their table and collected the generous tip under the saucer. Closing time in five minutes and then she had to see Frank. I have to think positively. He knew it was the customer. She brushed her hair back off one cheek, wishing she had braided her hair more tightly.

When she entered his office, Frank stared at her. "Tell me what happened earlier."

"That guy pulled me onto his lap." She sucked in her breath, her hands behind her back. "I didn't ask for that. Don't even know him." Please don't fire me. She mentally crossed her fingers, fearful of what he was going to say.

"Talk to Lorraine about how to deal with rowdy customers. She knows. Has been doin' it for years. Especially when I'm not always out front."

"Thanks, Frank." She left his office before he could say anything more, grabbed her jacket from her locker and headed for her car, parked on the far side of the lot. Footsteps sounded behind her. Her heart thudded and she whirled around, gliding her key forward like Bert had taught her, raising her arm.

"Leave me alone!" she shouted as she turned, unable to see who was behind her.

"Hey! I'm not going to hurt you!" Chet said, his arms in front of his face. "Just wanted to say hi. Remember me—from when we bumped into each other at the drugstore? When I paid for your coffee?" He took two steps forward and the light from the corner of the store highlighted his face.

She lowered her arm as she backed toward her car, her heart still racing. "Oh. You." She looked around. "Where's your date?"

"Took her home and came back to see you. To talk."

She unlocked her car. "I can't. If my manager sees me with a customer, especially after tonight, I'll get fired. And I need this job." Her heart bumped against her ribs, knowing her cheeks were flaming. The shirt Chet wore was stretched tight across his chest and showed off the muscles of his arms below its short sleeves. Like a second skin.

He nodded. "I get it. My wheels are over there. All I want to do is talk. How about if you follow me to that car lot down the block, with all the lights? I'll sit in my car and you can sit in yours."

"Okay." She nodded, her heart still thumping, and drove to the lot where overhead lights blazed. She parked so that she could race onto the street quickly. Chet parked his newer model Mustang convertible so that his driver's window was near hers.

"Great!" He smiled at her. "Now that we don't have to worry about your manager, tell me where you live and give me your phone number."

She shook her head. "I know Frannie. Your girlfriend. Why are you even talking to me?"

"She doesn't own me. Besides, she doesn't live here anymore. Consider us broken up." He gazed at her then added, "How can I call you if I don't have your number?"

"Oh. But I'm never home. I work two jobs." She harbored hope that he would call. Maybe even ask her out. Or just talk. On her porch? What would Bert say about that?

He looked away for a moment. "That makes two of us. Are you at Alice's every night?"

She shook her head. "Not every night. I stock at the drugstore in the mornings. Mostly I'm at Alice's for the lunch and dinner shifts."

"Sounds like me. I work five nights and six days, except on certain weekends. Are you working tomorrow afternoon?"

"No." She had planned to do laundry, and make a big pot of stew. One of Bert's favorites.