Meet Angel Cortez, a guy who hasn't had much of an easy life. His father left when he was 11 after he found out his mother was suffering from leukemia, and he was molested by two of his uncles when he was 13, and. Having to fend for his mother, his...
"See you later, Miss Heidi." I say as one of our usual customers grabs her things to leave.
She comes over and gives me a warm hug and a kiss on my cheek.
"See you later my sweet boy."
Miss Heidi is a sweet, older white woman who stopped by Sal's Bakery, a bakery in the upscale part of town, every day for lunch. Everyone loves Miss Heidi, not only because of her kind personality, but because she wasn't judgemental.
She waves goodbye as she exits the small eatery.
A tap on my shoulder startles me as I flip the open sign to closed.
The owner, Ms. Sal, stares at me with a apologetic smile.
"You mind if I talk with you for a minute?" She asks.
"Sure," I notice the change in her body language as we take a seat at a booth. "Is everything okay, Ms. Sal?"
"I'm so sorry Angel, I really am." She says, reaching over and grasping my hand.
"What are you sorry for?" I furrow my brows in confusion.
"I have to let you go, Angel," My facial expression changes, "I can't afford to pay you. I'm so sorry."
"B-But how am I going to pay for my mama's chemotherapy?"
"Mark and I got some money from our bank account and we came up with four hundred dollars. I'm truly sorry, Angel."
She hands me a sealed envelope.
"Ms. Sal it's alright, I'll be fine."
"If you need anything you call me, do you understand?"
"Yes ma'am."
I smile assuringly at her as I remove my apron, heading in the back area where my locker is. I open it and place my apron inside, taking my backpack out and my phone.
"Thanks for everything, Ms. Sal," I say as I reach the front exit.
"Anytime, sweety. I wish you the best of luck."
I walk outside towards my car. It wasn't much, just a beat up 2008 Honda Accord, but it got me from point A to point B.
I get in and just sit for a moment, letting everything sink in. I just got fired from my job, and I have only enough money to pay for a short chemo session.
Life sucks.
My phone rings in my backpack and I get it out.
imani💙
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