Once Upon A Surf

Chapter Three

I tossed my stuff in the back of my car and drove home, listening to the radio at full blast.  I didn't mind working at the shack, possibly because it was the only place besides the ocean that still reminded me of my dad.  Donna hadn't done too many renovations, and the workers were all old friends of my father.

I pulled into the parking lot of the shack and went inside, grinning at coworker Braxton.  He was a bit older than me, a junior in college, but loved to surf.  His father had been a good friend of mine, and Braxton was like my brother.

"Lindsey!" Braxton waved.  "What's going on?"

"Just here to work, B," I laughed, tossing my backpack behind the counter and hopping over after it.  The surf shack was small, but full of surfboards, swimsuits and supplies families could use for a fun day at the beach.  Braxton tossed me an apple and I caught it with one hand as I clocked in, taking a bite and opening the cash register.

"Donna should be here to collect the money in a few hours," Braxton said as he sorted through some t-shirts to put back on the racks.

"Fantastic," I said.  "This place needs massive clean up, Braxton.  When's the last time you swept the floor?"

"Hey," Braxton held up his hands in mock surrender.  "I've only been here an hour.  Mike was here earlier, and you know how that goes."

I rolled my eyes.  Mike was probably the laziest worker here, but he was a goof who always made me laugh.  "Yeah, yeah."

I grabbed a broom and with a sigh began sweeping.  Usually my jobs at the shack varied from cleaning up the place to running the front desk, generally not too difficult.  We were usually slammed on the weekends, but on days after school it wasn't that bad.

Unless Donna was around.  She of course found flaws in everything and forced me to do stupid things such as "color coding our fruit supply".  By this time I had gotten used to her dumb requests, instead focusing on the fact that soon I would be out of here—free from the scrutinizing eye of my stepmother.

I finished cleaning up the store and began sorting through some jumbled up scuba diving gear we rented out to families.  I heard the bell on the door of the shack ring and sighed.

"I'll be right with you," I said, forcing my voice to be cheery as I tossed a pair of goggles into the bin.

"Oh, that won't be necessary, dear," I heard Donna and my eyes shot up.

"Donna," I couldn't hide the surprise in my voice.  "Braxton said you were coming later."

"Yes, well, I figured I might as well stop by now," Donna opened the cash register as Braxton came into the room, arms full of t-shirts.  "Hello, Braxton."

"Hello, Ms. Pazarri," Braxton said, rolling his eyes at me.  "How are you today?"

"Wonderful," Donna murmured, stuffing the money into a folder before glancing up at me.  "Don't you have work to do, Lindsey?"

I glanced down at the scuba gear, shaking my head.  "Um, yeah."

"Oh and I also have a favor to ask," Donna slammed the register shut and turned to grab a bottle of water.  "Tonight I'm meeting with some managers of the shack, and they plan on coming for dinner.  Your shift ends at six, if I'm correct?"

"Yeah."

"Fabulous.  I'll need you to go to the store and get some things, I'll leave a list right by your backpack.  They'll be here at seven to eat, so please don't dawdle."

I stared at her.  "Donna, I won't have time to—"

"Ah," Donna held up her hand, her eyes flashing.  "I won't have that attitude, Lindsey Fisher.  You will have plenty of time, I assure you."