Syrtis

XI.

May 3rd, 2018
Friday, 11:43am

The noise that surrounded her prevented her thoughts from overpowering her and she was grateful for it. The table she sat at was in the back of the room, closest to the wall. The standing air conditioner hid her partly from the rest of the room’s participants. The temperature was just right, not too cold and not too hot.

She was in her mom’s restaurant working on her laptop. After Amine left her at six am that morning, she headed over to spend that time that her mom kept asking for after throwing on a pair of blue jeans and a grey sweater. Only she was too busy to sit down with her so the work that she’d been trying to escape from caught up with her and she had no choice but to give in.

“Coke or Fanta?” Her mom sat down in the chair across the table from her and set the tray in front of her, one that hosted a steaming plate of her favorite meal; spaghetti stir-fry with vegetables and bell peppers.

“That looks so goodddd,” she pulled the tray towards her, nearly bumping it into the laptop that occupied the space in front of her. “Always coke, mammie, you know.”

“You do know it’s bad for you right?” She signaled to one of the waitresses to bring it. “Close that laptop for one second and eat.”

She spared her mom a glance over the forkful of spaghetti that was about to enter her mouth. “I’m multi-tasking oh. I have a lot of work to do before this evening.”

“I thought you didn’t work on Fridays.”

“I normally don’t, but it’s really important. And stressful,” she frowned down at her plate.

“You look stressed. What’s going on with you? Have you been resting?”

She wasn’t sure if her mom would count sleeping with Amine as resting so she just shook her head slowly. “I try, but I’ve been really busy for the past three weeks. I’m okay, don’t worry.” The food in the plate had reduced so much in the few minutes she spent over it, she didn’t know she was that hungry.

“I can’t help worrying. How much are they paying you so much to work you like this?” She hissed her teeth and adjusted the big, blue shirt that was on her. The action caused Jessica to see her hands, her manicured hands. She even did nails, although they were short.

“Enough for me to keep up my independence.” Jessica pushed the plate away and placed the laptop in its former position. “So, who’s the man that you’re getting all dolled up for?”

The water that she was drinking choked her and she placed her hand over her mouth and swallowed with difficulty. “What are you talking about?”

“Your hands. You don’t do any of those things; they’re a ‘waste of time.’ Remember?”

Her mom stood up and collected her tray and plate. “It’s none of your business. Stick your nose in your computer.” She walked away briskly, leaving Jessica grinning after her.

After taking a long swig of her coke, she reclined in her seat and looked around the newly extended space. The lights were warm, giving the room a cozy feel. She had added another uniform for the staff and changed the wallpaper. The food was still exceptional and that’s all that really mattered to her.

Her phone vibrated beside the laptop and she picked it up without a second thought. “Hello?”

“Guess who has the whole weekend off?” Amin’s excited voice hit her ear and the guilt sank in her stomach like a huge rock. Breathe.

“Santa Claus. It’s not Christmas time yet.”

“Funny, very funny.”

She laughed at him. “And will you be spending it with me?”