Daylight

My Weakness Part One

Santana walked down the sidewalk towards the coffee shop. Ever since Dani had moved and Rachel’s Broadway career took off, she didn’t enjoy working at the Spotlight Diner as much as she used to. Her apartment was only five blocks from the shop and the weather was nice today. It was never too busy since she had to be at work at 7:30 for the morning rush, but today was different. Just across the street, about a quarter of a block from where she stood was a group of what looked like teenagers. They all huddled around the entrance to a hotel. She kept walking down her side of the street so that she could get a better look. That’s when she saw the cause of the screaming kids. It was Dani.

She slowed her pace and watched the girl be led from the hotel door to the car that was on the street waiting for her. Just before she saw the blonde get in her car, the girl lifted her head. Their eyes met for a split second then the girl climbed in the car and off it sped. Had Dani recognized her?  The thought ran through her head. She considered the possibility then shook her head to herself as if clearing it from her mind. Dani couldn’t have recognized her. It’s been four years since they’ve seen each other; since Dani left that night to chase her dreams. Santana pushed the idea of her ex-girlfriend to the back of her head and continued down the two blocks she had left.

Once she made it through the door and inhaled the stale scent of coffee grounds and whipped cream, her mind switched into work mode. She quickly walked back to her office and put her jacket and purse down. Since the time she had been here, she was promoted from cashier all the way to store manager. She had a small office where she had to fill out production reports and occasionally employee evaluations. It wasn’t the best job but it paid her bills and she hadn’t killed anyone, yet.  She looked at the stack of papers calling her name but turned and walked towards the bar. Maybe she would yell at some of the workers for slacking off.

“Sarah! Stop talking to your boyfriend and get to work. He can wait till the end of your shift.” Santana shouted at the strawberry blonde. The girl shot her boyfriend a look then hurried back to behind the register.

“Sorry Santana,” she mumbled under her breath.

The Latina smiled to herself proudly and returned to her office to look over some of the paperwork since the deadline for most of it was the end of the week.

After an hour of aimlessly trying to focus on fine print and numbers she got up to check on the shop.  As she walked out into the open room she saw Sarah was back sitting with her boyfriend and rolled her eyes at them. The café was relatively empty so she couldn’t find it in her to scare the girl twice and stepped behind the counter to talk to the other employee on this shift. His name was Dylan and today was his first day. His application said that he has experience but Santana wanted to check him out anyway. She always liked to instill a little fear on the first day to keep everyone in line.

“Hi Derek,” she directed at the guy coldly.

He looked up from the crossword he was doing in the newspaper. “Um,” he hesitated, “it’s Dylan, ma’am.”

Santana laughed to herself softly. “I know your name. I was making sure you were paying attention.” She saw his shoulders relax slightly as she continued. “And don’t call me ma’am please, it makes me feel old.”

“Oh…sorry, of course. It won’t happen again uh—”

“Santana, my name’s Santana.” She interrupted him in an attempt to help but the words slipped out a little harsher than she meant.

Dylan looked down at the newspaper then back up at the Latina with fake confidence. “It’s nice to meet you Santana.” He stretched his hand out and was relieved when she accepted it and they shook hands.