The Redemption

Now you see me. Now you fear me.

    I fell into a deep sleep after school. My alarm was ringing for seven minutes before it startled me awake. I didn't realize how sleep deprived I have been. I knew there was no way I was getting out of bed until I absolutely needed to. I guess I absolutely need to now.

    I throw on a pair of black slacks and leave the shirt I already have on. I just know it's going to be a busy night and I want to be as comfortable as possible. Not that retail itself stresses me out, but people do. A lot. Something about holidays make people so irritable and rude.

    I let out a long sigh as I walk to the kitchen and make my dinner for tonight. I open the fridge door to scan for anything that sounds appealing. Nothing. I close the door and walk into the pantry. Yet again, nothing catches my eye. I need to go grocery shopping soon.

    I hear my phone buzzing on the counter and go to answer it. "Hey Momma."

    "Hi sweetheart. Just letting you know I landed. I'm on my way to my hotel now. Are you on your way to work yet?"

    "Almost. Looking for something to eat," I respond. Mom is in New York for some business meeting.

    "Honey I am so very sorry! I forgot to go shopping last night for you and Kyle. I was so wrapped up in last minute packing."

    "Mom, it's no problem at all. I'll either go shopping tonight after work or tomorrow morning and I'll take Kyle to breakfast; if he wants to get up, that is. He'll probably be staying up all night playing video games."

    "You're so amazing and it makes me proud to be your mother." Good thing she can't see my flushed face through the phone.

    "Thanks Mom," I say quickly. "I gotta go now. I don't want to be late for work. I love you Momma!"

        "I love you too honey. Have a great night at work and I will call you in the morning." With that, our brief conversation ended. No matter the person, I absolutely hate phone calls.

    I hurry up and grab a package of crackers because it's the first thing I see and rush out to my car. Thankfully traffic isn't heavy today. Usually it takes me twenty minutes to get to work but it only takes ten today. I have to compensate for the busy mall parking lot everyday. I am always about ten minutes early to my shift so I can spend a few extra minutes reading up on anything that needs to get done. My boss, Trish, teases me all the time saying I am a better store manager than she is. It's not that I try to be, I'm just a perfectionist.

    "Hello Miss Kendyll!" Trish greets. "Did your mom already leave?"

    "Yeah," I respond softly. I really don't want to show how upset it makes me that my mother is going to be out of town for Christmas, but I know this meeting is important and this job means a lot to her. It just feels like our family has fallen apart since Dad walked out on us.

    I'm obviously not putting on a good mask. Trish gets up out of her chair and wraps me in a hug. I instinctively wrap my arms around her as well and a few tears fall from my eyes. I quickly recover and smile a thank you to her for fear of losing myself again. She understands.

I grab my apron and head out to the sales floor. Amber and Macie are spending their time talking behind the counter. Of course.  "Sorry to interrupt, however, there are plenty of customers right now so you should spend more time talking to them and less time talking to each other." They both roll their eyes at me, but do as I ask. They're both new employees who go to the same school as I do. I can tell it annoys them having to listen to me because I'm a grade younger than they are. I don't care what they think. They're not going to be here long anyway. They both have the work ethic of a toddler. We just needed some type of extra help for the holidays.