Page 45 of The Good Char
I didn’t think I had time to detour to get my bike.I was going to have to foot it to work today.It was only a couple of miles.
It was warm like any other day and when I finally made it to work, I was sweating.The walk was further than I remembered but I couldn’t wait to tell my boss what he had helped me do.I was so excited that I could barely get the words out of my mouth when I saw him wiping down the counters.
He actually waved at me with his rag when he saw me come in.It made my already elated heart jump for joy.He was happy today.
“Did you enjoy your evening?”he asked while he stirred the batter.
“I bet you can’t guess what I did with my last check!”I singsonged in his direction.
“I don’t really care.It was your money.I’m happy you enjoy working here, but we can keep our personal life separate.”He moved from the batter to adding more wieners to the grill.
“I know Mr.Dzik, but I have to tell you.If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t have been able to take care of those little kittens I found and now they have a bright future instead of dying on the streets.The vet tech even asked me if I wanted one for myself.It’s all because of you.Thank you so much!”
I just wanted to hug him in gratitude, but I wasn’t sure where we stood since the incident that shall not be named.He was such an amazing guy and I couldn’t help but admire him more and more as he continued to do his duties.A man shouldn’t look that attractive with an apron on, but here he was, making me lust after him with every stretch and flex of his tanned arm.
I quickly grabbed some paper towels to wipe my brow and readjust my ponytail before grabbing my hat and placing it on my head.I couldn’t wait to see how the kittens were doing at the end of the shift today.The vet tech said she had already received some interest.
I hummed a little tune and danced to the beat in my head as I leaned over the counter and began to wave at the potential customers in the area with a bright smile.
A couple of teenage boys laughing together caught sight of me and smiled, waving in my direction.I didn’t know who they were but they seemed friendly so I waved back, hoping they’d come by the counter.
They took two steps forward and their smiles fell before they quickly turned and walked away.I wonder what that was about.Maybe one of them needed to use the restroom or something.
I straightened and my back hit something solid.I yelped and turned to find Mr.Dzik standing behind me, staring after the boys.Did I miss something?
“You shouldn’t lean over the counter like that,” he told me bluntly.
“Why?Is it dirty?Sorry, I should have cleaned it first.”
He cleared his throat and looked over at the grill.“Button up your shirt, Kimmy.”
“What?”I quickly looked down and forgot that I had unbuttoned it on the way because I was getting so sweaty on the walk here.I quickly redid them and grabbed one of the flyers on the counter and began to fan myself.The mall air conditioning felt amazing but my body had yet to fully cool down.
“Why is your face flush after those humans waved at you?Do you know them?Don’t bring your friends around here, you got it?This is a place of work and I will not have you dilly dallying around during work hours.”
I was so confused.
“N-No.I don’t know them.I was just waving hoping they’d come over to buy some wieners.”
Mr.Dzik did something I could never anticipate.He grabbed me by the arm and pulled me to the back room, shutting the door dramatically.Oh no.Was I in trouble for something?I shouldn’t have ever talked back.Didn’t my parents always teach me not to talk back?I was going to get fired, wasn’t I?
Mr.Dzik backed me up against the wall and leaned down, snarling in my face.“You shouldn’t hope for any male to come in your direction, do you understand?”
Huh?
“You don’t want customers to come to The Good Char?”
The air around us changed and suddenly it felt heavier than when I was walking under the sun.
“I don’t care about any blasted customers when they’re looking at you like meat on a stick.If they value their lives, they’ll keep their distance.”
I blinked a few times, trying to understand what was going on when his face began to waver and I wondered if I was overheated from the walk.
“Mr….Dzik, I-I…” why was my brain feeling foggy?
He must have known I wasn’t feeling well, maybe that was why he pulled me back here.How very kind of him.In fact, with his proximity and my eyes glued to his lips and the way they moved, I think I did need to sit down for a moment.Was he talking to me?
“I-I think I need to sit down—” Before I could finish my sentence, my head became light and I fell forward.
