I Ate the Apple

Chapter 5

I had a big teary reunion with Channing's family.

They met us at the airport.

"Thursday morning!" I almost yell at the guy at the desk.

He flinches.

Channing takes a deep breath.

"You don't have any available flights? Not one ticket?"

"No. I'm sorry."

"No, oh fuck!"

I'm starting to hypervenhilate.

Last time I had a panic attack when when my school accidently messed up my GPA.

I was at lunch after exams and it said it was a 1.2 instead of a 3.2

Channing was the only one able to calm me down.

Everyone knows what's going to happen.

"Oh god, oh god."

"Okay, what's the closest you can get us?"

"I can get you to Philadelphia." He shrugs.

"We'll take it." He says.

"Cam, honey, can you call somebody to drive the truck to the airport?" Kathryn asks.

"No!" I shriek.

Channing hurriedly finishes with the tickets.

"Alright, listen," he says. "We're going to get there in time."

"I have less than 48 hours." I whisper. "I have a lot of shit, Channing."

"Why can't you bring the truck to the Philly airport?"

"Because I left the keys inside my fucking apartment and I have the key!"

He nods slowly.

"Don't you have a spare key for the apartment at CC22?" Kathryn asks.

CC22 is the name of my restaurant.

I pause.

"Yes."

"So call up Amy and ask her for a favor."

"Amy can't drive my truck. You know how I am with my truck!"

"Cam, you're desperate." James says.

We're all shuffling to our gate.

"Fuck." I sigh, pulling my phone out.

I dial the store.

Amy is the manager at CC22 in the New York City location.

Her and I are good friends.

It rings three times.

"Thanks for calling CC22. We cater!"

"Hey, Michael, can I talk to Amy?"

"She's not here." He frowns. "You sound stressed."

I'm good with all of the employees there.

"Yeah, stressed is an understatement. When does Amy come in again?"

"Uh, tomorrow, eight in the morning."

I bury my head in my hands, and then take a deep breath.

"Alright. Can you do me a huge favor? I'll pay you or give you a two dollar raise."

"I take the raise." He says. "What's up?"

I sigh.
"I need you to go in the back, in my office."