On Leave

Five

           

Five

     Raelynn just stood there for a moment as she watched the gorgeous man walk away. Don't be afraid. How did he know she had been afraid? And why did she have such mixed feelings when it came to what just happened. When it came to men, she always went into a massive panic on the inside, smiling to them and moving on so that no one saw her weakness. She may be stronger than before, but the mental damage stayed, and she still had to take everything ounce of willpower she had in order to handle those situations.

     Sebastian disappeared into the Diner and Raelynn shook her head to clear her thoughts.

"Get it together Raelynn, you're better than this." She spoke to herself as she walked towards the building she had just left at 2:00 am this morning. It was Saturday now, her first day off all week and as she looked at the clock seeing that it was only 9:00 am, she really just wanted to go back to sleep. But she knew Ashley wouldn't allow that, and she also had to go over her homework with her and do her own. Shaking off the fatigue Raelynn entered the bustling restaurant and waved at the cook. Oscar had been here for ten years now and seemed content to keep doing what he was a doing, a large, heavy set, man with chocolate skin and a cheerful attitude day in and day out. He would always call her Hunny Pie, and she felt most comfortable around him then most males, but there was still a hint of leeriness she could never shake.

     Raelynn made her way through the Diner and to the back porch where they allowed Chip. She found all three of them in the back corner and Ashley spoke animatedly, her hands tossing around her head as she gestured what she spoke. Raelynn smiled and sat down in a seat on the other side of the porch quietly watching them. Ashley was a happy person in general, but Raelynn watched as she bubbled over with energy and happiness as she spent time with her big brother she adored so much. It kind of made Raelynn miss her own family a little bit, but she knew she couldn't go back, not anytime soon anyways. Raelynn was suddenly brought back from her spacing out by a rough shake to her shoulder. She quickly turned to find her manager, Dana staring at her in a panic.

     "I'm so glad you're here, I know it's your day off, but Jacki went into labor early and had to go to the hospital, It's just me and Oscar, can you please help? I'll give you double time!" she spoke so fast that Raelynn had to take a second to process what she was saying. She was tired, but could use the cash, could get Ashley a birthday present, since it was coming up in a few weeks. She still had her uniform on from the night before. Raelynn nodded and muttered a 'sure'. Dana smiled, "Oh thank you, thank you, thank you!" Raelynn stood and headed inside and to the back grabbing a spare apron since hers had been left at Ashley's house. Retying her hair, Raelynn set to work again.

...........

     "And then, Kaitlyn flat out told me, 'Oh I never liked you but you always got invites to the good parties so I hung out with you'. Like, really, how old are you?!" Ashley said as she told me more about what has been happening the past year. "We are supposed to be maturing and being better but I swear, college is worse than high school." She said frustrated. Sebastian listened to every word but watched out of the corner of his eye for Raelynn. He saw her come onto the porch, stop, and then sit down far from them, watching quietly. Then he watched as another older woman, with caramel colored skin and ebony hair come out and shakes Raelynn's shoulder. That immediately got Raelynn's attention. He had to hand it to her, her reflexes were good.

     The woman spoke to Raelynn and she looked panicked. Raelynn's eyes drifted off into space for a moment before her shoulders slumped for a moment. Then she pulled her head up and smiled nodding to the woman and saying something before getting up and disappearing into the restaurant.