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“See you, Andrew,” I smile.
“Miss you, Em,” he says. “Going now.”
“Bye,” I say, and then he ends the call.
I put my phone away and as I do, I notice dad seems pleased with what he saw, if not a little sad. I know questions are coming my way, but fortunately, my lunch break is almost over.
“Must be difficult with him away like this,” Dad says, trying to be empathetic.
“At least he’s talking to me this time,” I shrug as I joke, trying to be lighthearted.
Dad nods then and adjusts his glasses over the bridge of his nose. “I always felt you two should be together. I hope it works this time.”
I reach over the table to touch his hand, and he squeezes mine, making me feel safe and supported.
Mom was angrier with me than he was when they found out I was pregnant. When he found me crying in my room, he came to sit by my side, held me, and told me, “I will always be there for you, princess.”
And with that, I was granted the privilege of staying at home.
“I have to go, dad.,” I look at my phone. “Take care of sweet pea for me!”
I kiss Ali and dad goodbye and go walking full throttle back to the store. It’s Saturday, our busiest day, and Dan is testing out a new sales representative to see how they do with a challenging crowd.
We’re open until 10 PM today, and the new employee arrives at 2 PM. His name is Matthew, looking too nerdy and skinny to understand anything about sports, but Dan reassured me that his resume is good.
By the end of the day, Danielle and Anna are handling the front, while Dan and I sit in the break room with the new guy.
“So, Emily, what do you think of our friend Matthew here?” Dan inquires.
“You’re an extrovert, and that’s good,” I begin, turning to Matthew. I bite my lip as I think of what to say next. “I saw that you are knowledgeable about sports, and that’s essential. You also didn’t try to hog sales from the other sale reps. You worked in a group just fine. I say he’s a keeper, Dan!”
“Thank you, Miss Mitchell.” Matthew grins.
“I told you to call me Emily,” I quickly correct him.
Dan nods, a pleased smile spreading across his face. “Looks like you're hired, Matthew. You'll be starting on Monday, working the late shift with Danielle and Anna.”
“Thank you, boss,” he offers his hand for Dan to shake, and then shakes mine too.
“You can go now, Matt,” Dan says, already standing, “Tell the others they can go too.”
“Okay,” Matthew walks away with a wave and a smile.
I stretch, tired. “Oof, big stretch!” we say in unison and then laugh.
“It’s been a good day, but I’m exhausted,” Dan says, stretching himself “I’ll walk you to your car.”
I stand as well, to walk out with him. He turns the lights off, leaving just the emergency lights so we can walk the path outside without bumping into anything.
“Is Carla waiting for you?” I ask, trying to make chit-chat, but unknowingly going in the wrong direction.
He nods as he locks the doors. “And you? Got another video call waiting?”
“He called during lunch break but hopefully we’ll talk again tonight,” I say, firm.
Dan tenses up his shoulders and takes a deep breath. “Growing up, my friends all wanted to date you, but I always told them I would punch anyone who touched you,” he says, his gaze turned to me. “When Andrew invited you to our prom, it took a toll on our friendship back then, and when I heard you were all lovey-dovey again when you graduated, I was pissed.”
“What’s your point, Dan?” I turn to him, stopping in front of my car.
