I Think I Love You

Chapter 11: Brayden

Chapter 11: Brayden

"You know it's kinda pathetic how bad you are at this,'' Callie exclaims with glee.

"Just wait and watch little grasshopper," I say as I furiously tap my fingers on the control trying to beat her at Mario kart. I look out of the corner of my eye and see Callie moving her body with the controller as if it will help the car turn faster. I had come home from school and Callie was bored which means she just annoyed me till she was un-bored. She had wanted me to drive her to the arcade but then someone has to stay with her the whole time. Mom and dad don't like it when she's unsupervised in public places. I agree with them, Callie is known for getting into trouble and even if she is trying to behave, trouble ends up finding her. So instead of being stuck in a dark room with a bunch of tweens, I had suggested Mario kart and now I am about to get my ass kicked by my little sister.

"YESSSSSS" Callie whoops and throws her Nintendo controller down and does her victory dance. I can't help but laugh, as she jumps and twists around in some weird dance motion. She still dances like she's three years old.

"The grasshopper has become the master" she states as she pumps both hands in the air. I snort and say, "it was one game, you can only be the master if you beat me multiple times. Anyone can win once, that was just luck". Callie narrows her eyes at me and whispers, "oh it's onnnnnn" I smile and we start to play another game. We're midway in our game when mom comes in and says, "kids no more video games".

"Just one more game" Callie and I say in unison.

"Brayden aren't you supposed to be volunteering at the soup kitchen today?" Mom says pointedly as she taps her foot waiting for us to shut off the game.

I look at my phone and see the time. SHIT! I have five minutes before my shift at the soup kitchen starts. I jump up and turn off the video game.

"Oh man I was gonna win again", Callie says annoyed.

"Rain check rugrat", I say as I try to mess up her hair and she swats me away with laughter.

"Thanks for reminding me mom, I say as I kiss her cheek. She smiles at me and tells me to be safe. I grab my wallet and phone, as I head out to my car.

I've been volunteering at the soup kitchen for about a year now. It started off as something to get my community service hours in before I graduated. But I stayed cause I genuinely enjoyed it. There are so many people that need that soup kitchen for a hot meal. To know that I may be helping and making a small difference makes me feel like I'm doing something worthwhile. As I enter the soup kitchen I say hi to the regulars that I have gotten to know by name and Bernie who's the manager of the soup kitchen. Bernie is probably in his late fifties, he's short, slightly balding with a pot belly probably from all of the donuts he eats. He has a laugh that's insanely contagious. He's a genuine person and loves what he does for a living. The whole layout of the soup kitchen looks like a normal buffet-style restaurant. There are a bunch of old tables and chairs in the front. Then there's the coffee and water station on the side, with the food being placed in the far end of the soup kitchen. I usually am serving food and helping food prep as well. We serve for a few hours or until the food runs out. Then we clean up and usually by the time we're done cleaning up everyone has left.

As Bernie looks up from his papers and sees me and he asks, "Hey kid, I need you to train someone today. Can you do that?".

"Yeah sure" is say as I put on an apron and wash my hands.

"That's my guy, he's in the back with Meg, just give him a tour and help him with the basics while Meg preps for the rush". Bernie says as he flips through some papers. Nodding I head to the back of the soup kitchen, through the doors that lead to the kitchen.