Beyond Appearances

Saturdays are for the Birds

I hear Hunter get up and start getting ready for work. He enters the room quietly trying not to wake me, but little does he know he already did. I pretend to be asleep so he doesn't feel bad, but I can't not say good morning. So I pretend to wake up. I stretch and yawn. And open my eyes slowly. He sneaks a peak over and says, "Sorry Ron, I tried to be quiet." His face looks guilty.

"Hunter, shut up. You have nothing to be sorry for. I'm sorry I made you sleep in the living room on a damn futon." He smiles, knowing I'm poking fun at him, not actually meaning he has to shut up.

"You got work?" I nod. I work at a local restaurant/pub. The uniforms are revealing, and I feel like I should be strutting my stuff on the street, but it makes me good cash. Hunter has tried to get me to quit and find a different job, but I always decline. He's wanted me to move in with him for the past year too, but I can't do that to him. He's always trying to take care of me.

I know what you may be thinking. Why don't we just become a couple, the connection is there? Hunter and I dated my freshman year, but it didn't work out solely due to the fact we are too busy and would never make it as a couple. We decided on being friends, best friends. We take care of each other, and occasionally meet each other's intimate needs. Not to be confused with friends with benefits.

After he gets dressed and leaves the room, I smell the coffee, and make a face of disgust. I despise coffee. It's bitter taste, and weird flavor is not for me. I prefer tea. Just as I put on my sweatshirt and long pants, compared to my pajamas consisting of booty shorts and a tank top, I hear the sound of the tea kettle screaming. I smile. He knows me so well.

By the time I make it to the kitchen he's gone. His boots and hat missing from their usual place along the wall. I pour myself a mug of tea and add some honey. I sit down at the little breakfast nook and read the newspaper. Nothing new, other than a man shot himself in the toe to see if it would hurt. I laugh to myself. What is this world coming to?

At 1:30 I start getting ready for work. I shower, and blow dry my thick, auburn hair. Put on mascara, and my uniform and out the door I go.

When I arrive at work, I look up at the sign that reads, "Marv's." The M is barely hanging on to the post. I don't think on how much of a dump it is for too long, my shift starts in 1 minute.

I scurry to the employee door, and am greeted by Tara, my coworker on her way out. "Well Jae, have fun. They are riled up tonight." She calls me Jae because I refuse to use my actual name around these scumbags.

I start my shift off by checking how much is in the register, to see how much we make in the later shift. Marv, the owner made it a competition between shifts to see who can bring in more money, and boost morale. It's just plain stupid if you ask me. He just wants more money, and expects us to shake our money makers to get it. Not happening!

I go around taking orders and passing out shots, and lagers, but I can't keep up with all the orders tonight. We've been short staffed since Tiffany quit. She became pregnant and didn't want to be around weekly fist fights, and being catcalled all the time. Who could blame her?

My night only gets worse when my father walks in. He walks up to the bar and asks Damien, the bartender, where I am. Damien points me out. I mentally note to kick his ass later.

I strut up to my father with courage. "What in the hell do you want?" He smirks. "Vee, you still owe me this month's rent, and next. You know your mamma and I don't got it." I grimace. He comes to get money from me, after kicking me out. That makes a whole lot of sense. I sneer at him, "Get the fuck outta here. I've paid rent for the past 2 years. You kicked me out. I don't know if you remember especially after that shot of heroine. I owe you nothing." He laughs. Not a genuine laugh, but one that gives me the chills.

"You think you're high and mighty because you helped out with rent? Look at your life Veronica. You're a slut and get paid for it. That's something to be proud of." Then he does the unthinkable, and smacks me across my face.

I stumble backwards. I reach up and touch where he smacked me. He drew blood. By the time I look back up at him, my regular customers have already started escorting him out. Damien helps me to my feet. "Jae, are you okay? Do you need me to call someone?" Before I can shake my head no, the boss, Marv walks in.

"Jae, can I speak with you in private." He asks me through gritted teeth. I follow him to the break room. Before going through the doorway, I ask to clean myself up in the bathroom, he's reluctant to say yes, but he sees the blood trailing down my face. After patting my face dry I sit at the table.

"Jae! WHAT IN THE HELL WAS THAT?! You bring trouble to my establishment, and cause a ruckus! That's not good for business! I've had it! You're fired!" I look at him with disgust.

"Marv, you're a fucking perv! The place is falling apart, and in case you haven't noticed my shift makes the most. But go ahead and fire me. Your 'establishment' will fall apart. Good luck finding someone willing to put up with your shit. " I'm sure to emphasize establishment, because it's hardly that.

Before I walk out the door I swipe the tips from the jar, and grab a bottle of Jack Daniels. Marv comes out yelling after me about stealing, but I just flip him the bird and pull out sending gravel flying.

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