Page 7 of The Good Char
“What was your name again?”he grunted.“I have to make a name tag for you.”
I beamed at him and quickly put my apron on.“It’s Kimmy, Mr.Dzik.”
My first real job that didn’t require me working for my parents.This new experience was totally exciting for me.A woman of the world without any ties to the Ngo name.I wasn’t ashamed of my name, but I needed to do something for myself without obligation and expectation hanging over my head.
I quickly finished another round of sweeps right outside our area before following him behind the counter.Gently leaning the broom to lean against the wall, I clasped my hands in front of me and watched everything he did closely.
When he began turning things on and setting things up, I got on my tiptoes and leaned around his wide body to get a good look.I was distracted by how veiny his forearms were.I didn’t realize my breathing was picking up when he sputtered and quickly turned to look down at me with a frown.
“What are you doing?”he barked.
I smiled.“Learning!”
“Have you never worked before, girl?”
Uh oh.That constipated look was back.I straightened and squared my shoulders before looking at him innocently.I didn’t want him to think I was incompetent.I really wanted this job to work out.
“Y-yes, sir, I have.But mostly in my parents’ restaurant.I’ve tried my hand with the wok a time or two but almost burned my hair off so they placed me elsewhere.The back office with my parents is kind of boring, so occasionally I help on the floor.I’ve never worked with corndogs before.We don’t serve corndogs at the restaurant.Sir.I mean, Mr.Dzik.”
“Dzik.Just Dzik.”He looked at me curiously and I tried my best to not be a bother.“You’re going to man the register for now.Get familiar with the names on the menu and the prices.We’ll go from there.”
“Yes, sir!”I saluted him and quickly positioned myself where I needed to be, taking my assignment seriously.“Oh!I didn’t know we had a breakfast menu!People actually eat corndogs for breakfast?”
“You are a peculiar human,” he grumbled as he casted his gaze in my direction before bringing out the secret batter.I mean, it must be a secret because he doesn’t want me over there yet.Maybe one day he’ll tell me what it was made of and I would finally understand why his corndogs are so addictive.
The first customer made his way in our direction and my excitement spiked to epic proportions.I straightened my back and waved happily only to find the elderly man continue walking past us and around the rest of the food court in a loop.Oh.
A chuckle came from behind me and I quickly turned to find Mr.Dzik—I mean, Dzik snickering.
I joined in.“That was kind of funny, wasn’t it?I totally thought he was a customer.”
Dzik shook his head as he watched the hotdogs burn on the grill that was constantly rotating.“A lot of the ancient ones come to Hellscape Mall to get their exercise in.They don’t have any interest in eating.It’s probably what preserves them.”
Some of the things he said were so funny.
“How nice!I should encourage my parents to do that too.Wait, ancient?You’re so silly Dzik.They’re not that old.That man that passed us couldn’t be older than sixty.If they’re ancient, what does that make you?”I teased.
He curled his lip into an adorable snarl and huffed, crossing his arms over his chest.I was distracted by the intricate images and flames that slithered and wrapped around his forearm when his voice pulled me back to attention.
“It makes me your damn boss.Now get back to work!”he barked.
I squealed at his sudden change in demeanor and quickly turned around and faced the heart of the mall with my heart pounding inside of my chest.
Was it wrong of me to say that it still made me excited to see what the day would bring?
Chapter5
DZIK
This bizarre humangirl had the strangest reactions to things around her.Her overly jovial nature disgusted me but she seemed like she was willing to do my bidding and that was all I needed for this wretched shop.I needed to be able to remove myself from the humans when my aggravation got the better of me.
I stared at Kimmy’s back curiously.It looked like she was trying her best to stop herself from dancing to a tune only she could hear.Strange.What was she so happy about?The only people milling around Hellscape Mall at this hour were humans that needed to let go of their tight grip on life.
But unlike my last employee, she didn’t look like she minded working.
“Kimmy!”I growled.Caught in my thoughts, I almost missed her inching her way toward the grill.“Stay away from that grill.”
I made my way over to her in two strides, picked her up and plopped her back behind the register.I was going to have to watch out for this one.She was wiley, like that cartoon coyote those annoying little human minions liked to watch on television.
