Night Shift

Chapter 11

I look at the hot box. It bothers me to see the gaps where the food should be. I need to get back to the kitchen soon and refill them. The night shift workers will be coming in soon, expecting to grab a quick bite before heading home and pass out for the day.

"What do you mean, get me out of here?" I ask.

"Mate, you have a reputation," she responds.

I laugh through the nose. She didn't really answer my question. "I didn't think I was known well enough to develop one."

"You're here every night," she says, taking another sip of Coke. She must be finished with it soon. "Have you ever actually gone out before?"

I decide not to answer. It's none of her business. She's just some mischievous thief that just likes to mess with people, what right does she have to all of a sudden take me out anywhere? Especially at this time of night!

"I'm going to take that as a no."

"I've never felt the need to." My face was growing red hot, I could feel it.

"That's the biggest fucking lie I've ever heard!" She's back to laughing again. "You've always wanted to go out, but you've never had the chance to. No one has ever asked you to."

"How do you know that?" Still getting hotter!

"Because that's just the mentality of people. They say they don't want to go out. They 'don't feel the need to'. That's just something they tell themselves in a way to make them feel superior to those that do go out. But deep down they're no better. If they were given the opportunity, they would lunge at it."

"That's not true," I say.

"But you believe it is," she responds. She places the can of Coke on the ground and stomps on it. Tiny droplets splash out. She picks it up and looks at me. "Do you have a bin?"

I point to one behind the counter and she immediately tosses the can at it. It hits the side of the bin and then falls dead on the ground, a few more droplets splash out.

"You're making a mess," I say.

"You can clean it up later. Come on, let's get out of here."

"I never agreed to going anywhere."

She rolls her eyes. "What's it gotta take to convince you?" she asks.

"Well... what's your name?"

"It's Laura. Can we go now?"

"Why do you want to take me out so badly?"

"Because I feel bad. You've been stuck here for God knows how long."

"I don't need anyone to feel bad for me." I sound defensive. Why am I constantly arguing with her? I think I'm enjoying having an actual interaction with someone. I fear she might disappear the moment she walks out the door, just like everyone else has before, night after night.

"Yes, you do," she says. She walks past me and heads toward the door. She still has a bag of the hot food in her hand. I can see the paper going soggy from the steam. It's a wonder that the food hasn't fallen out yet. "You need a friend. You haven't had a friend your whole life. I'm willing to be that friend for you, even for just one night."

I consider this.

I have been lonely. I've only ever had myself for company, only myself to teach. Here's a girl that's willing to be a friend, someone who is offering to show me what it's like to not be alone with my thoughts.

Laura looks at me knowingly. She can tell that I'm more than likely to follow her.

"This is a 24 hour supermarket," I say. "It's not like I can just call someone to cover for me."