Time skip about 4 years to May 2020
"AKILA I SWEAR TO OUR HEAVENLY FATHER IF YOU LEAVE THE FRIDGE OPEN AGAIN ILL HANG YOU BY YOUR TOENAILS!"
I bolted out of my room down the stairs. Crap. She might actually murder me this time. Standing in the middle of the floor was Mrs. Anderson. Her hands rest on her hips and a scowl painted her face. I look to her left. The fridge was indeed still open. Quickly I walk past her and close it before muttering a sorry.
"One day I am going to put my hands on you I swear." she said, raising her hand to the air before turning on her heel and heading into the living room. Not if I get you first Linda. I rolled my eyes and headed back upstairs to continue getting ready for work.
"Ready to go?" Angel peaked her head through the door.
"Ya, come help me find my badge instead of watching me struggle"
She finally stepped all the way into the room to help me find my badge. Finally finding the tiny metal object, we both went out to the car. I need a mood booster. Queen Nicki it is. Hurriedly I snatch the aux cord before angel closes the door. She looks up at me with a knowing look. I hook up my phone and she starts the car. Once we get out of ear shot from our house, she turns the volume to max.
"I FLY WITH THE STARS IN THE SKIES, I AM NO LONGER TRYING TO SURVIVE"
We both screamed the lyrics at the top of our lungs. We arrive into the "privileged" part of town. Sadly we turned down the music.
"Alright get out looser." says Angel laughing. I hop out of the beat up car and walk around to the employee entrance. A few co-workers mumble greetings as I clock in. Another day back in the hell hole. As I'm putting my things in the locker, I feel someone walk up on me. Bish if you don't back up-
"Hey Akila, have you heard about the protest in Hillwood?"
"Can you guys not walk up on me like that? You almost got dropped-"
Everyone in the room started laughing. My face would be red right now if I wasn't so tan.
"Ahee hee" I roll my eyes and make my way to the dining area. Today I was in charge of the tables by the bar. After a while, once the sun began to set, business picked up.
"Akila we need you help with section 4."
Putting my rag back into my pocket it sprint towards the table. Without warning, Karen decides to throw her hands into the air. The half empty cup I was carrying away spilt. Orange juice flowed all down my white shirt. At once all eyes in the room were on me. Muttering a sorry, I pick up the glass and put the ice back in. I began to make my way to the wash room when the woman speaks up again.
"Watch where you're going ni-" the now red faced woman stops herself.
"Excuse me?"
Somewhere someone drops their silverware. Slowly I turn around, tunnel vision, with Karen on the bulls eye.
"Akila don-"
I begin pacing, no, SPRINTING towards the woman. So here I am standing in front of the woman, hand raised to the air. She shrinks down in the chair. Not so tough now Karen.
"Stop!" I turn around to my manager. He's right. Cant play into the angry black woman stereotype. I turn back to the woman.
"Mike has save you tonight, be grateful"
Mike takes my arm and leads me to the back before closing the door to his office.
"What the hell was that!?"
"Im sick and tired of being disrespected at this place is what happened. Time and time again customers are let off the hook for being racist Mike."
He paces around the room before taking a seat at his desk.
"What do you want me to do about it? Call corporate? I swear you people always-"
"What do you mean 'you people'?"
He looks up at me again. Mouth agape.
"Now you know I didn't mean it lik- Hey where are you going?"
Calmly I walk back to the employee's lounge. Getting a few weird looks as I slam my locker shut. Just as I grab the door handle, Mike barges into the room.
"Its 11:20. My shift is almost over anyways. Ill come in early Monday."
I continue to walk out the door.
Looking across the lot, I spot the white Toyota Camry in no time. Yanking the door open, I throw my bag in the back before jumping in the passenger seat.
"Jesus Christ you scared me half dead."
Humping to myself, I slide the seat belt on and cross my arm.
"What's got you in a pickle, and its still early for u to get off."
During the ride home, I explain to her the horrid events that took place at the work place. Finally we make it back home. I take my shoes of at the door and greet Mr. and Mrs. Anderson before hurrying up to my room. Angel comes up behind me and shuts the door.
"I'm about to wash up real quick."
She nodded in response. Slipping into the warm shower, The warm water glides down my body. The feeing is pure euphoria. Staying true to my word, I swiftly finish my shower. Don't want the psychopath couple fussing about hot water. Slipping into a towel, I re enter my room. Sitting on my bed with a bottle of lotion, Angel begins again.
"Have you hear about the Hillwood protest?"
"Yea someone mentioned it at work." coco butter still gliding across my skin.
"Well I was thinking we could sneak out and go..."
I stopped moving and looked up at her. The brown bottle goes back into my nightstand.
"You know Linda will bury us in the back yard if she found out."
"That's what makes it fun" I roll my eyes.
Both of us start laughing. After the silliness, you could hear a thud coming up the stairs.
"You better get in bed. Rick's coming up"
Angel scrambles into the cheap sheets. I turn my lamp off right before the door opens. Can you not knock? True enough, Rick's turtle like neck, pops through the door frame. Humming in approval, he shuts the door again.
"How'd you know which old bat it was?" whispers Angel.
"Rick has gout from eating cheese puffs in front of the t.v every night. His right step is limp so every time he takes a step, one is always louder than the other."
I can see the shock on her face even through the dark.
"I just thought it was because Linda is built like Abby lee Miller and has to take breaks coming up the stairs."
