Lazer Tag Life

5

The rest of the day was rather uneventful. Some kid threw up on the kickball field, but it was nothing a little Pine-Sol and the stuff school janitors used couldn't fix. No one really talked, because of the big blow up that happened before. It was mainly just "Hey, can you get me the paper towels?" or "Press that button." Work orders, nothing outside of it.

After work, Rocky decided it would be nice to treat us to some shakes at the nearest diner. "You guys haven't been here before? I'm surprised. They have really good everything here, not just shakes," she told us as we all sat down at our abnormally large booth.

"I was here when it was that cool 50s themed restaurant and it had jukeboxes and stuff," said Nick. 

"Oh yeah, didn't you have a birthday party there, Nick?" I asked.

"My tenth birthday party! The best one ever! How could I forget, Paul?" Nick replied, perking up a little.

"That day really was fun. Remember when the piñata fell on your dad when he was trying to put it on the ceiling?" Alex chuckled.

"Aw! Yeah, even though he had to wear that big bandage for a couple days, it was kinda funny!" 

This was nice. It seemed like nothing really had happened before. That's why I loved these people. We could have a huge disagreement, and then go back to peaceful conversation a couple minutes later. Sure, we had to withstand a huge awkward silence before all of that, but it came with nice results. 

We decided what to order, and ended up ordering a mini-cake to go with the shakes. Bob, Rocky, and I were getting chocolate shakes. Nick is a total vanilla guy, and Paige and Alex were going with strawberry.

After the waitress collected our menus, Rocky spoke up. "I have something to tell you guys, its really important, thats why I brought you guys here. I...am no longer going to be working here."

All four of us gasped. 

"Oh my God," Bob whispered.

"No!" Nick pleaded. He looked like he was about to burst into tears. "We love you! You can't leave us!"

"I know, but I found better work elsewhere, that is out of the state. So Paige and I are going to be moving, too. And it's not until next month, either." 

Paige looked at all of us, nodding her head. "Sorry. I don't want to move either. But this job had a better opportunity for me, too."

There was a silence.

"But..whats going to happen to the facility?" Bob asked, slowly making his hands into fists under the table.

"I'm sure there will be another person working there," Rocky sighed. "Probably Mike or someone."

"Who's Mike?" I asked, slightly afraid about the answer.

"Our boss. The highest person in the workplace." She looked over at Paige. "Also, her ex-boyfriend."

"Yeah," Paige agreed. "He's a nice guy, he's just very..."

"Clingy," Rocky added.

"That's it."

There was another silence, then the waitress brought our shakes and cake. We continued to eat and drink without a word. 

I didn't want Rocky and Paige to leave. I didn't want this sketchy Mike to be the one to run this place. My logic is that, if Paige didn't trust them, I don't trust them. And it seems that was for this Mike guy.

Who knows what he would turn this place into? Is he strict or laid-back? What if he lowers our pay?

That's when my eyes shot open. No no no no, if he was that kind of guy, I would need to fight back. I need the money, and this really wasn't an exaggeration. 

Nick must have realized that I was beginning to slurp my shake louder, because he gave me a strange look. "Having fun there?"

I blushed and put the glass down. "Just confused. And agitated."

"Same," he gave me a soft smile, turning back around. I knew he really couldn't say anything else right now. No one could.

Rocky tried breaking the silence. "Hey, don't be so down, guys! We still have a whole month together. Let's enjoy it, okay?"

"Yeah!" Nick lit up. "And dang, these shakes are good!" 

Suddenly, the sun came out. The birds were chirping again. All was good in the world.

The rest of the afternoon was full of sunshine and the general happiness we always had. 

When I got home, instead of crying and mourning everything that was too good like I was planning to do, I went outside. In our small yard, my older sister was playing with our baby brother, while my mom was making dinner inside. 

I thought about how happy we are. I thought about how happy I was at work.

I better make the best of it.

I love these guys.