Page 14 of The Good Char
I needed to vent but I wasn’t about to call Cindy, not with the way she treated me the other day!I groaned into my pillow.This was too much!This was exactly why I couldn’t work with my parents anymore.
I laid across the bed angrily while I listened to them the rest of the night through the walls.Drifting in and out of sleep, the sound of their voices turning into a hum in the back of my mind.Hugging my chibi plushie closer to my face, I positioned myself more comfortably when there was a knock at the door.Judging by the pattern, I knew exactly who it was.My mother.
Letting out a sigh, I listened to her sniffing on the other side.“Sweetheart, please talk to me.Tell me why are you doing this to us?Why are you going against us?”
“Against you?”I scoffed, incredulous.I pulled my face away from my pillow and stared at the closed bedroom door.“I’m just trying to live my life.Why would you think I’m going against you?I’m trying to love myself and find out who I am.I’m no longer that little girl, Mom.I’m grown up.It’s time I spread my wings a little, don’t you think?”
The door creaked open, revealing my mother with her hand still on the knob.We’ve always had a strange relationship.Sometimes she was overly caring, other times she wasn’t caring enough.Too bad for me it was the former this time around.
“Sweetheart, just let me help you.”How could she help me if she wasn’t willing to listen to me?My mother, for all the good she tried to do in my life…still didn’t knowme.
Guilt hit me in the chest at the thought but it wasn’t all my fault.I had rights too, didn’t I?I was an adult for crying out loud.
“I don’t need help.I just want you to accept me for who I am.Why can’t you just love me for who I’m trying to be, not the person you want me to be.”I sat up on the edge of the bed, really looking at her.I couldn’t believe how much I had been brainwashed under the guise of cultural expectations and obligations.I wasn’t trying to be a bad daughter, I truly wasn’t.
The only thing they wanted was for me to be what they wanted me to be.The realization hit me like an acme anvil falling from the sky.Communication would always be strained between us, our generations and environmental influences were worlds apart.
There was an awkward pause that only added to the tension already in the air.I was suffocating but I didn’t want to kick her out of my room.I wasn’tthatkind of child.
She parted with a sad goodnight and I waited until she closed the door completely before removing the evidence from today.As irritating as my welcome home was… thinking over my first day at work, a smile still crept across my face.
Mr.Dzik was proud of me.He pointed out how impressed he was and I liked the feeling his praise gave me.My heart slowly hammered inside of my chest, threatening to claw its way out like the undead living inside of me.It was just my luck that Mr.Dzik was also nice to look at.
I shook my head and squealed against my pillow, forcing myself to sleep so that I could wake up bright and early for work tomorrow.
Chapter9
The sun’srays hit my face with a gentle warmth and I snapped my eyes open before blinking some of the sleep away.
It was time.
Biting my bottom lip, I rubbed my eyes and jumped out of bed, quickly going through my morning routine and peeking out my bedroom door.
The house was quiet.I strained my ears for a few more moments, making sure my parents had already left for the restaurant.Their hours of operations were much earlier than The Good Char and what once used to annoy me now worked to my advantage.
I wasn’t sure if my mother would stay behind for another talk and as I tiptoed down the stairs, I was glad she didn’t.
“Oh, I’m so excited.Another day as an independent woman!”I whispered to myself as I put on my helmet securely.Grabbing my bicycle, I walked it toward the sidewalk and hopped on, humming as I rode along the street, headed to my job and to see Mr.Dzik.
I had work to do and a job that I actually enjoyed.I spread my arms wide while pedaling, enjoying everything life had to offer.The sun was out and the air was fresh.It was a weekday and many of the neighborhood cars had already left their homes, leaving my neighborhood quiet.
The closer I got to the mall, the more the traffic picked up and I swerved as best I could away from them to make it to work safely.When I arrived at Hellscape Mall, the door was already unlocked for me by the friendly security guard.I gave him a bright smile and waved.His smile was a crooked one but it lit up his face as he welcomed me in.
I quickly made my way to the food court and watched as the other workers began to set up their bays.With a little skip to my step, I made it down to the very end, to my new little corner of joy.
“Hey, Mr.Dzik!”I called out, quickly grabbing my apron and putting it on with purpose.
“Hey.Get stuff prepped for service,” he instructed gruffly without looking at me.
He put the wieners on the grill and I watched them rotate over and over, glazing until they got that good char.I couldn’t help but notice that Mr.Dzik was wearing all black again under his apron.I wondered if he had any other colors in his closet.
Though, I shouldn’t be wondering what was in his closet at all because now I was wondering what he looked like under his?—
“There’s a uniform for you in the corner.Put it on.”
My eyes widened.I’m official!This is it!I jumped in place with my hands clasped in front of me, trying to contain my excitement.
I quickly excused myself to the back room and put on my uniform and hat.It fit me like a glove.How did he know my size so well?I came back out to the front and set up the cash register with more passion behind my movements.
