Page 33 of The Good Char
“Get out,” he snapped.
“Rude!”
Mr.Dzik turned his head toward the man and the man scrambled away with his corndog.
“Mr.Dzik—” I started, prepared with a full eloquent speech inside my head.
“Dzik,” he glared and I suddenly lost my confidence.
Come on, Kimmy.You can do this.
“Can you give me more hours?I need the extra money.Something came up and it would really help get me out of a bind.Not that it matters to you but if you could help me out, I would greatly appreciate it.Please.”
I finally took a breath.Not at all what I prepared but close enough to get my desperation across.
“What kind of bind?”he grunted.He didn’t seem happy.Oh no.Please, please!
“I-Something happened that was out of my control and now I have to find a way to fix it.I spent the last paycheck on a couch for my apartment, you know, so I don’t have to sit on the floor anymore and I don’t think I’ll have enough to do this thing that I have to do…”
I sounded idiotic even to my own ears.
“So you want to… work more, is this what I’m hearing?”
I nodded frantically.“I appreciate you always giving me time off, please don’t think otherwise.I just need this so desperately, please.It would help me so much, Mr—er, Dzik.”
Giving him a bright smile, he frowned and grunted before turning and walking toward the back room.
“Hey!Can I get some service here?”came a woman’s voice behind me.“How rude!He saw me standing here this whole time!”
“I’ll help you.Just give me a second,” I told her.Quickly getting behind the counter, I got her order and rang her up.“Here’s a free lemonade.Sorry about that.”
“Thank you.You’re one of the only reasons why I keep coming back here.The other guy is a jerk.”
I laughed nervously and gave her a bright smile.“Thank you, come back soon!”I waved.
“What are you doing?”my boss barked behind me and I shrank in place.
“Helping out?”I squeaked, biting my lip and turning toward him.
“I told you to take the day off!Here,” he shoved an envelope toward me, making sure not to make any contact.
He was acting like a toddler.Why were boys so weird?I purposely touched his fingers as I took it from him and his nostrils flared but he didn’t look away.
“Take it and leave,” he said with finality.
“What about more hours?”
“Leave, Kimmy.Now!”he roared and I jumped and did as he commanded, not looking back until I made it to my bicycle.Gosh, he really was extra grumpy today.One would think helping him relieve himself the other day would make his mood better.Apparently not.
Or maybe he was so pent up, one wasn’t enough.Hmm.Good point, Kimmy.Don’t give up on the guy yet.He needs you.
Nodding my head to my own internal dialogue, I opened the envelope and pulled out my paycheck.I almost dropped it.My eyes blurred quickly from the tears as I brought my hand to my mouth.
I ran back inside, straight to The Good Char.Parting everyone around me, I made my way behind the counter and tackled my boss with a hug, wrapping my arms around his shoulders.
He tensed up and growled beside my ear but a few moments later, I felt his arms wrap around me too.
“Thank you, Mr.Dzik.Thank you so much.You didn’t have to,” I whispered, choking at the end.
