9:34am
21, 22, 23 boxes. I stack the last box of coffee beans into the back of the cafè building.
"Wow kid." The truck driver tips his hat to me. He spits his tobacco onto the ground and gives me an approving smile.
"Look at how strong you've got. I 'member you couldn't even lift one of 'em boxes, now ya liftin three? I is impressed." The old man pats my back as he slips more tobacco into his mouth.
I nod my head.
"Keep 'em up." He pats my back one last time and heads back to his truck.
His truck coughs and sputters before it actually begins to move. It pulls out of the alleyway, a gust of smoke filling the air.
I reenter the building to examine the boxes I've brought in. My eyes drift to my arms. They're bigger, muscular.
It's not because of me. It's because of my aunt.
She makes me workout with her mean boyfriend. 16 hours a week of brutal workouts that leave my body incredibly sore and damages my heart more than it already is.
She wants me to look better just so she can brag. A conniving woman my aunt is.
I bring a box to the checkout counter and hand it to a customer. He pays and exits the store.
My aunt sells her coffee beans to asking customers. Except, it's not always coffee beans inside those boxes.
She orders me to sweep the lobby and I do as I'm told.
"Welcome!"
I raise my head to the door. Mark skips towards me, a bright smile brightening his face, and gives me a hug.
My heart hammers against my chest as he squeezes me. The scent of sweetness and flowers entrances my nose. It's Mark's scent.
"Hi friend!" He releases me and gives me his iconic smile.
I smile weakly in return.
Ever since that night, Mark always greets me with a hug. I've never been a fan of hugs but Mark's hugs are electrifying. They charge me up and give me butterflies.
Maybe because I've never experienced such kindness before.
"I'm not buying anything today but I wanted to see you." Mark giggles.
He only came...to see me?
"Gotta go! Bye Jack Jack!" He waves goodbye and dashes out of the store.
A smile sits on my face as I stare out the door he just went through.
"You have a friend?"
My aunt stares at me. She has a warm smile on her face.
I nod my head.
"Thank God." She claps her hands. "I'm proud of you."
She disappears into the back of the store.
She's not proud of my progress.
She's proud I'm getting further away from her.
