Paralysis

Chapter Fifteen

"Jesus, finally everything is done." Franky commented to herself, cracking her neck prior to leaning her hip against the counter. Franky rubbed the back of her head and yawned. Olive chuckled.
"I'm glad we found those masks because I definitely would've puked everywhere if we didn't have any." Olive complained, sticking her tongue out with disgust.
"Even with the masks on, you almost puked. Just the sight of all that nasty shit in the grease trap is enough to put someone into cardiac arrest." Franky joked. Olive snorted at the thought, then shook her head of the unpleasant reminder.
"That was so fucking gross, though." Olive stated, reminiscing.
"It was a nice bonding moment, I think." Franky continued to crack jokes. Olive groaned while Franky looked at the clock on the wall above them.
"It's almost eight." Franky expressed, balling her hands into fists out of relieving joy. The shorter dark haired girl sighed in a grateful tone.
"I can't believe no one else came in." Olive mentioned, curious as to why there weren't any customers in convenience to them deep cleaning the restaurant. Franky shrugged with pursed lips, unfazed by the occurrence.
"The weekends have been like that sometimes. It's surprising, but you get used to it, I guess." Franky explained briefly.
"How is Jill able to keep this place open when no one is here to put any money into it?" Olive questioned curiously.
"She can't. She's told me for the past two months that by the end of next year the restaurant will most likely be closed down and made into something people will actually be interested in. They most likely want something that will bring in more tourists during the Summers." Franky stated, looking depressed about the thought of the restaurant closing. Olive pouted for a moment, but soon realized something.
"Why don't we advertise?" Olive suggested, enthusiastically. Franky furrowed her eyebrows in confusion.
"With what money?" Franky asked, thinking of how expensive it would be to advertise something professionally.
"No, no, I don't mean build-boards or other impersonal shit. I mean flyers and word of mouth." Olive considered. Franky was intrigued by the suggestion that Olive made. She liked it.
"That could actually work." Franky smiled at Olive.
"We could even have certain special events. Themed parties, music and karaoke nights too. I could make different types of food for special occasions and holidays. We can do all kinds of shit." Olive continued to express her ideas that were rattled within her brain. Franky grinned, loving the fact that Olive was so creative and thoughtful when it came to a job she only worked part-time at.
"We should do something next weekend." Franky considered. Olive was overcome with excitement at Franky's encouraging approval.
"Since the library is closed on Sundays, I'll head over on Monday after my detention and make some flyers. We'll put them up around town, hand them out and see what happens. I'll probably be a little late to my shift, though." Olive informed, excited about the task she signed herself up for. Franky was enthralled with the ideas Olive had.
"That's okay, it's not like the restaurant will collapse just because you're late. Besides, it will be for a good reason." Franky defended, clearing any worry Olive may have had. Franky opened her mouth to continue speaking.
"I'll talk to Jill about it, I'm sure she will love everything you have to say." Franky stated as her phone began to ring in her pocket. She pulled her phone out, furrowing her eyebrows in a confused manner. However, she quickly answered the phone call, harboring a distasteful visage.
"Why are you calling me?" Franky asked, sounding distraught toward the person on the other end. Olive watched Franky's expression shift from annoyance to dejection.
"Is she okay? How did she end up there?" Franky questioned in a frantic affair.
"What the hell are you calling me for if you're not going to tell me?" Olive focused on Franky while she paced back and forth, growing more impatient by the second. Olive could even faintly hear muffled shouting coming from the opposite side of the phone call. Franky sighed, not in the mood to argue.
"Just tell me which one she's at." Franky insisted, her voice much softer than before. Olive figured that the person on the other line didn't answer Franky's question, because she was suddenly overcome with rage.
"Go fuck yourself, Mariah." Franky shouted before ending the phone call. Franky was visibly aggravated over the phone call as she ran her fingers through her frizzled hair, tucking the loose strands behind both ears. Olive remained silent, still staring at Franky, and allowing her to the make the decision if it were Olive's business to know the context of Franky's phone conversation.
"Jesus, it's just one fucking thing after another." Franky mumbled, setting her phone down on the counter. She glanced over at Olive, who continued to remain silent.
"Are you alright?" Franky asked, concerned as to why Olive was so quiet.
"I don't want to butt in." Olive muttered, shrugging with a forced grin on her face. Franky shook her head.
"Don't worry about that. That was Yesenia's sister. She told me that Yesenia was in a car accident and was admitted into the hospital." Franky explained to Olive, leaving her to be left in a bit of shock. Olive had never met Yesenia face to face, but only ever heard things from Franky about her. Olive knew that Franky loved Yesenia very much. There were times after Franky went on a date with Yesenia, that she seemed radiant afterwards.
"Is she okay?" Olive asked immediately, concerned for Yesenia. Franky shook her head once more.
"Since Mariah is such a trashy shit stain, she won't tell me how it happened or if Yesenia is okay. I don't fucking see the point in calling me to tell me my ex girlfriend was in a car accident if Mariah's not going to tell me what Yesenia's status is. Who the fuck does shit like that?" Franky was frustrated, at the brink of ripping her hair out. Even though Franky was no longer dating Yesenia, Olive understood her feelings. Love and emotions don't just fly out the window after a relationship like Franky's ends. There's still that longing piece in someone's heart, wanting to return to the counterpart of that person.
"She sounds like a sadist. But not the good kind." Olive joked, trying to calm Franky down. Franky closed her eyes, finding the ability to smile.
"I would agree with you, but her blood only runs through her veins to control and terrorize other people. She's one of the reasons why Yesenia and I didn't work out." Franky's expression turned sour again. Olive looked down at the floor, finding it difficult to muster up proper words. Olive felt out of place, never having any experience in Franky's particular situation. She looked around the room, then back at Franky, who was now staring at her. Olive was nervous again.
"She didn't tell you what hospital Yesenia is at, did she?" Olive asked, already knowing what the answer was likely going to be. Franky nodded, massaging her temples with her index finger and thumb.
"No, she won't give me the luxury of knowing. She's just fucking with me. It's probably not even true." Franky considered the thought and immediately didn't sit right with it.
"God, what a fucking bitch." Franky leaned her lower back against the counter and laid her palms at the edge. She took a deep breath to calm herself before her emotions could get the best of her.
"If she really is messing with you, why not just let it go? She's clearly insecure and has a pathetic life if she feels joy out of fucking with people like this." Olive mentioned, somewhat understanding the situation. Franky's nostrils flared a little before she exhaled. Franky opened her mouth to speak but her phone rang again. The number wasn't attached to a contact, but she answered it anyways. Franky seemed uneasy, as if she had recognized the number.
"Hello?" Franky answered, her voice sounding throaty. Her ashy platinum eyes were darting all over the room, not being capable of getting a proper thought through.
"So, she wasn't just fucking with me? It really happened?" Franky asked, anxiously.
"Fuck." Franky took a deep breath; it was encased with fret as she pulled all her black hair to hang over the right side of her shoulders. It was stale looking after all the cleaning her and Olive had done.
"I can't, I get off in about an hour but I can't be there every day. I have a job and you know this." Franky stated with a firm tone of voice, offended that Yesenia would expect her to drop everything and be by her bed side. Franky nodded a few times, her eyes now staring at the wall as she continued to listen. She was on edge, but mostly agitated. The phone call was finally coming to an end.
"Alright, I'll see you as soon as I can." Franky spoke in a plain tone.
"Thank you for telling me, but let Mariah know that she's a spiteful cunt." Franky exclaimed. Olive covered her mouth, holding back her laughter.
"Goodbye." Franky ended the conversation, then immediately looked right at Olive.
"Everything is okay, I assume?" Olive muttered softly, smiling up at Franky. Franky nodded briefly before frowning.
"If you want, I can close up. We close in less than an hour anyways. Go see Yesenia." Olive insisted, making the assumption that Franky was worried about Yesenia. Franky chuckled.
"No, I'm not going until later. I'm going once I have a proper shower." Franky let out a laugh, joking about how unsightly she looked at the moment. Olive silently snickered, watching as Franky ruffled her bangs so the hairs wouldn't stick to her sweaty forehead.
"If you're this worried, just take tomorrow off. I'll call Jill and let her know I'll work on my own." Olive stated with an assertive tone, giving off the impression that she wouldn't allow Franky to say no. Franky still shook her head, disagreeing with the selfless act that Olive was willing to go through for Franky's sake.
"I'm serious. You need a break anyways. Even if you don't go to the hospital to see her tomorrow, take the day and rest. You deserve it." Olive wanted Franky to understand how hard she's worked every day. The idea became tempting. Franky had the feeling that she wouldn't follow through with heading to the hospital, but she couldn't say no to Olive's encouragement.
"Alright, but only because you mentioned I deserve a break." Franky proudly stated, crossing her arms against her chest. Olive smirked, pleased with Franky's agreement.
"You're damn right you deserve one!" Olive added. Franky smiled, shaking her head.
"I know I do. It's not even about taking the day off from working, it's mainly just seeing her again. Meeting up with Yesenia after what we left our relationship on isn't something I'm excited about." Franky admitted her fears to Olive. Olive was understanding, yet she couldn't quite picture the reasoning as to why Franky felt that she owed Yesenia anything.
"Why are you going then?" Olive said, coldly. Franky looked at her in a bit a shock.
"Just because she's my ex, doesn't mean I don't care about her. It doesn't mean she's not deserving of a support system while she's in the hospital. She needs the best she can get with her bitch sister being there." Franky was a bit agitated at how stoic Olive was being over the scenario.
"I know that. Sorry, my heartless side got the best of me, I guess." Olive laughed a little before continuing, feeling guilty that what she said may have sounded cold.
"What I meant was that if it scares you, don't push yourself so much. If what she did in your relationship is difficult for you to face, just straight up tell her that. Only show up for support like you said. I'm sure it's just what you suspect it as. You going to the hospital to check up on her and be there for her. If it turns into something that you're not comfortable with, dip the fuck out. You shouldn't be subjected to something you're not comfortable with just because she was in a car accident. As horrible as that is, and I'm sure she's in pain, it isn't fair to feel obligated just because of that. You should feel welcome to be there in a manner you're comfortable with." Olive explained herself further so that Franky would understand. Franky didn't respond, leaving Olive to assume that she still was on the fence about Olive's previous statement.
"I really am sorry if my last comment upset you. I didn't mean it the way it came out." Olive defended, continuing to clarify her mindset on the situation.
"You don't need to apologize. You just surprised me a lot when you said what you did. You're right, though, I need to talk with her. The way we left things wasn't the most positive, so we should at least try our best to make it right, regardless of what the outcome may be. I can at the very least say I tried." Franky added, making Olive comprehend Franky's stance over the topic.
"Understandable. It's your decision and I think that's admirable for you to be so willing to patch things up with your ex. I wouldn't be capable of that." Olive stated, realizing that she had lied. She had already repaired a toxic relationship with Samantha after so many years of bullying. Olive was indeed capable of repairing a broken relationship, big or small. She smiled when realizing it was her severe stubbornness that held her back from most things. Though, a relationship she knew she could never repair, was the one she had with Damian. Whether she was willing to do it or not, it was far too upsetting for Olive.
"Well, it looks like it's about time to clock out. I'm sure Jill won't mind us leaving a little early since there hasn't been anyone here." Franky tore Olive away from her thoughts. Franky yawned loudly as she headed toward the computer at the end of the counter. Olive pulled out her phone, noticing there was less than six minutes remaining until it was eight.
"It's only six minutes until our shift is over." Olive excitedly stated, preparing herself to follow right behind Franky once she clocked out. They were both exhausted from cleaning as much as they did, that a long night of rest was ahead of them. Franky stood off to the side, watching as Olive mimicked the same actions on the computer as Franky did. Olive didn't expect Franky to be at the hospital for very long, if at all; especially after such a long day.
Franky and Olive both removed their aprons and placed them on the wall racks. The two cooks from the back, including Dean, made their way from the back of the restaurant in order to clock out for the day as well. All three of the men were visibly exhausted, just as Olive and Franky were.
"Hey, guys." One of the cooks greeted Franky and Olive.
"Hi, Daniel." Franky smiled at him, moving out of the way so the three men could clock out.
"You look like you're ready to pass out, Isaiah." Olive joked, smiling up at him and Dean as they awaited their turn to clock out.
"Do I?" Isaiah asked, concerned for his own well-being. Olive laughed in response to Isaiah being unaware of his own appearance.
"Your eye bags should be trademarked." Olive continued to tease Isaiah a little. He laughed, enjoying Olive's light banter.
  "Thanks, I'll remember that the next time I come across a company willing to sponsor me." Isaiah stated in a low, amused voice. Olive laughed, happily.
"Daniel was the only one really complaining." Dean blurted out confidently. Daniel scoffed.
"You'd complain too if you only had the blessing of getting two hours of sleep, just to wake up, knowing you have a full twelve hour shift ahead of you." Daniel informed Dean, but Dean only laughed at him.
"Yeah, and now you get to go home and sleep." Dean mentioned, rolling his eyes while smirking.
"Fuck that, I'm gonna sit on my ass and do a bunch of stupid shit until three in the morning. That's how much my insomnia loves me." Daniel stated in a proud voice.
"I can relate to that." Olive interjected. Daniel turned his head toward Olive once he had finished clocking himself out. He smiled at her, nodding his head. Franky was ready to leave, impatiently waiting for Olive. Daniel and Isaiah walked out of the restaurant after saying their goodbye's to Dean and the girls. Dean stayed behind to greet Olive.
"How are you?" Dean questioned Olive in a soft tone of voice, making her recollect on the mental breakdown she had during work on a few days prior. She chuckled nervously, scratching the back of her head.
"I'm doing alright. A lot better than the other day." Olive answered honestly. She didn't feel the need to lie to Dean or Franky after that day. She felt comfortable with the both of them, and would most likely be willing to tell them both anything if she needed to.
"Glad to hear it. I'll see you both tomorrow." Dean stated, walking toward the front door. Olive widened her eyes, grinning.
"You'll see me, but not Franky." Olive stated, causing Dean to turn back around and face the two women.
"Did Franky finally decide to take a long needed vacation?" Dean asked, grinning at Franky. Franky rolled her eyes, chuckling.
"Not really, I'm only taking tomorrow off. So, Olive will basically be in charge." Franky snickered.
"You all have to take orders from a minor." Olive joked. Dean laughed.
"That's scary." Dean cracked a joke in return. Olive stuck her tongue out playfully, crossing her arms against her chest.
"Is it that bad that a minor is in charge for one day?" Franky questioned, shaking her head with an entertained smile.
"No, of course not. It's only because it's Olive." Dean explained. Olive's mouth dropped, genuinely shocked.
"That's fucked." Olive mentioned, laughing loudly.
"If you can make it through the day without burning down the place, I'll take back what I said." Dean challenged Olive.
"We'll see." Olive responded to Dean's tempting game.
"Alright, well, I'll see you tomorrow, then." Dean stated once more, placing emphasis in his statement as he looked at Olive. He waved goodbye at both of the women before leaving. Franky exhaled what sounded like a lot of pent up stress.
"Put your bike in the back of my car. I'm driving you home tonight." Franky insisted as she grabbed the restaurant keys out of her front pants pocket. Olive was startled by the sudden assertiveness from Franky.
"I'm fine, I can get home on my own, Franky." Olive insisted, trying to ensure Franky that she was safe.
"After that motherfucker showing up at work, acting like a god damn stalker? I don't think so. I don't care if he's harmless or however many different degrees of black belts you have. I am driving you home tonight." Franky continued, explaining her concern over Olive. Olive smiled happily, accepting her fate.
"Alright, alright, I won't argue with you on this." Olive held her arms up in defeat as she and Franky walked outside.
"Thank you." Franky stated, locking the restaurant door behind them.