After putting out the new books on display, then selling them, then putting them out again for four hours straight, my shift was over and I had 20 minutes to get to apple bees for my next shift.
The subway was a short walk from Barnes and noble and I had time so I decided to go to the small toy store at the end of the block. I haven't been in this store ever since my mom quit working and we began struggling for money two years ago. I never asked why my mom quit working cause there wasn't even a point wasting my breath on the women who Gabe up in trying to take care of her daughter or herself. My father used to take me there before he went missing. I remember on my 5th birthday he told me I could get anything I wanted from there and I ended up getting this remote control helicopter that we spent six hours putting together that same night. My mom said it was a waste of money but it wasn't cause the memories that I kept that night are priceless.
"Delilah? Is that you?" I hear a familiar voice from behind me call. The same voice that my father bought the helicopter from.
"Ken? No way its been forever!"I said excited that there was still someone there from my childhood that hasn't completely forgotten about me.
"Delilah you've grown up so much. You used to have to stand on your tippy toes to see over the counter and now you're almost taller then me"
Ken was around his eighties but he was only about 5' 2. He was one of those adorable old people who you just want to listen to their stories that they've made during their life time.
"haha I remember. Its been twelve years since I've seen you last and you look like you haven't changed a bit."
"Happy to know you didn't point out that I was bald." He joked and carried on "but a lot has changed."
His tone became a bit more serious and his big smile started to fade.
"and what is that?"I asked. Hoping that I wasn't prying or anything.
"Well last Christmas Martha passed away." I only ever met Martha a couples of times. She was Kens wife and the way he looked at her was a way that I've never seen anybody look at anything before. When I did meet Martha at the toy store she would always give me free Lollypops and I remember how Ken complained that the Lollypops coated money which only earned him a slap on the back of the head from her.
"I'm so sorry" were the only words I could get out of my mouth. I was never great at helping people feel better from these kind of things.
"That's alright. The doctor told me she died of old age which personally I think is the best way to go but wish I could've said good bye to her before it happened, but that Only really happens in movies" He trailed off.
"She had a good life and has put wonderful memories in my mind" I said meaning it.
"On the bright side, apparently my grandson and the rest of his band are making it big in the world or something"He said in monotone. He didn't really bring up his son or grandson for that matter. All I Know was that his son moved to Australia because he fell in love and never looked back. That's all I remembered my father and Ken talking about when it came to his son.
"Really?! That's amazing. What band?" I said. I don't ever keep up with music or those break through bands. I have enough to worry about.
"I don't remember. My son said something like 5 sexes of winter."
"That's great. I ho-" I was cut off of a buzzing feeling in my pockets. I pulled out my phone and noticed that my boss, Kimberly was calling me. I had one of those flip phones that are only 30 dollars at the super market. All I have to do is add minutes to it which seems like a fair deal considering I rarely use my phone anyway. I open the phone to answer the call.
"Hello?" I said
"Delilah where in the world are you?! You do realize that you have work right now and staff is low. I'm working my ass off right now cause I'm covering 3 shifts as it is." I got confused because I still had plenty of time until my next job started. That is until I looked over at the clock hanging behind the counter. I was in this store for over a half an hour.
"I'm so sorry. I lost track of time I will be there in 10 minutes" I told Kimberly then shut the phone and shoved it back in my pocket.
"I'm really sorry but I have to go. I'm late for work already. I hope we can talk again soon." I say over my shoulder as I walk out the door and onto the streets to get on the subway.
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Once I put my bag in some of the empty lockers in the break room I tie my hair into a ponytail and look at the chart that tells me what tables I'm working today.
I head to table six in the far corner of the restaurant first.
"Hello welcome to apple bees my name is Delilah and I will be your server today. Can I start you off with something to drink?" I said not bothering to look up from my notepad before I'm loaded with orders.
"Hey there Delilah" I heard a man sitting I'm front of me say. As I look up I'm greeted with a smirk and eyes so blue you could get lost in.
