untouchable

First day

I'm doing my best to keep up but these customers are intense It doesn't matter how  much I try to appease them,it's useless, they are some really discontented people and I don't hold enough patience I realize to even tolerate them,which is why when a stiff women proceeds to speak to me in a condescending tone,my mouth gets away from me,"

Look mam,I have told you what is available, I can do no more,I'm not a walking inventory, if  you'd like you may kindly find someone who is,thank you for shopping at the fresh and finest", I give her a bright smile before walking away,leaving her standing there in shock.

Later of course I berate myself as I sit in the break room for being so unwise,I could easily be fired for what I said to that lady,but it had been a long day and I was tired, irritable and hungry.

I still had to make my journey back downtown to check in at the shelter after this long shift as well.

My thoughts are interrupted when some other employees come in talking loud to have their lunch. I focus on my sandwich ignoring them as I'm not one to make friends everywhere I go,I like to talk when I want to talk,and to who I want to talk to,which is not everyone.

Though I find there's always someone who's not okay with that,and so they must force you to do what they want...or try that is,like for example Marcus williams who leaves the table of the other workers to sidle up to mine, taking a seat without an invite,

He smiles brightly, "hey,we haven't met, I'm Marcus,the shift lead.... ".

When I only give a knod and a formal "Hi Mr. Marcus",he loses some of his upbeatness but keeps a friendly face, "so..I heard what happened on the floor today..,and I'm sure the Boss will too which might not end well,... but anyhow me and the others just wanted you to know we've all been there,so don't sweat it...,sometimes you've gotta get things off your chest,I wouldn't recommend making it a habit though,haha",he chuckles, smiling.

I stare behind him at the table of coworkers who are currently easedropping in silence,I look away,checking my watch,I breath with relief when I realize my lunch break is over,"well it's nice to meet you,I've gotta get back to work",I tap my watch to inficise,gathering my trash.

He stands up too,"uh okay,well welcome and maybe sometime you'll join us after work for a bite or something... ".

Even though he makes his offer sound like a group invitation,I get the feeling he's the most eager for me to join them or him that is.

I knod, "maybe".

I walk away, and out of the lunch room without another word or glance.

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I guess as an extra measure to insure that I keep my word Travis decided to check up on me that's the only explanation for him to be waiting for me at the shelter,I walked up to wait in line for a bed like I always do when he appeared,

"How was your first day?",I  frowned in confused surprise at such a personal question before I turned to see him, standing behind me,causing my frown to deepen as I start to pull on my clothes and hair, feeling, dare I say,... embarrassed? No. Im not. Maybe just a little self conscious... Or maybe both.

"what are you doing here? ",I ask glancing around before taking in the uniform he's wearing,it fits him well,the fire stations name and logo on the top right of the T-shirt,paired with black kaki pants and boots.

He smiles,his eyes fixed on me as if shutting out the fact that we're at a shelter surrounded by homeless people,and I'm one of them,"well I realized I had no guarantee that I'd see you again so I decided to do something about that".

I stare blankly at him,"by coming down to a homeless shelter ?".

He smiles ignoring my blase tone and blank stare,"if that's where I'll find you,... then yeah".