The Exception

Chapter 18: A Rotten Monday

"Hope you..." the lady snatched my bag and rushed out.

"Have a good day..." I finished before tearing the receipt and sighing. Keith walked into the shop. It was Monday afternoon, and Evan did not manage to get his revenge considering his dad and mother returned the whole Saturday evening and Sunday. Their parents were strict, charming, and oblivious to the double lives their children lived. Albeit it was sad, they seemed to have a good relationship, which was more than I could say for mine at the current moment. 

"Hey, Agnus...take over from my uncle?"

I nodded and carried on checking the books. I had walked in to my parents arguing viciously again. I turned tails and headed straight to work. I gripped the bench. Things were not looking good, and I may just have been the cause of it. At least I was here, and my sister was at kindergarten, and I would be picking her up as soon as I was done here.

"Oof, I consistently seem to be getting you in a rotten mood," Keith threw his bag behind the counter and grabbed the broom. I looked up and sighed.

"I'm sorry...it's just...nevermind," I sighed. "I shouldn't be making you down at work. I am a terrible employee."

Keith shrugged. "What's going on?" He leaned on his broom and stared at me. "You can answer me now...or endure my hours long pestering until you relent. Trust me, it's torturous, and painful...better to give in." He made a pistol with his fingers and pretended to shoot at me.

"How old are you?"

"Don't know, last I checked I was five, but my parents say I'm eighteen...it's so weird," Keith started sweeping. I laughed.

"So a vicious rumour started about my dad at the school, I confronted him about it, only to find out it is partially true...my mom knew nothing about it, and now they are fighting," I said and shook my head. "My luck is just as rotten as a trash can."

"Well, if that trash can happens to be right next to a five star restaurant, then I'd say it's very lucky....all about perspective,"

"How is that lucky?" I said and placed my hands on my hips.

"I don't know...good food, for start," Keith placed the broom back and sighed. "Look, people fight, as long as they find a resolution, you should be ok...but if you need to talk." Keith turned around. "I'm here."

"My hero," I said and rolled my eyes.

Keith laughed. "Yes, I was thinking of wearing a red cape, which says...The Listener...and hopefully then," Keith leaned over the counter. "I won't get knocked out by civilians."

A blush crept up my cheeks, and I carried on working. We closed at six, and as I walked out Keith locked the store. "So where are you headed?"

"I'm supposed to pick up my sister, she's two blocks from here and then I was planning on heading to a café and treating her to a milkshake..."

"Let me walk you there..."

"No, it's really not necessary..."

"Oh, no, I insist, for the safety of all the joggers out there. Trust me. I'd be doing them a favour..."

I pushed his shoulder and laughed. "Fine...for the safety of others."