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RACHEL
“HeyJason,”Isay after washing the last cup in the sink and setting it with the others to dry. I turn around, finding my manager reading a Psychology book behind me. His glasses, which he rarely wears, are on the tip of his nose, close to falling off. He’s so enamored with his book, that I don’t think he noticed. I purse my lips, waiting for him to respond, but he doesn’t say anything as he turns another page.
“Jason,” I say louder this time.
Jason flinches and jerks toward me, quickly pushing up his glasses. “Yeah, what’s up?”
“Is it okay if I take a five-minute break out back?” I point toward the back door as if somehow he’s forgot its location. “Since we’re not that busy.”
Jason bobs his head, an awkward smile on his lips. “Yeah, sure, Rachel.”
I nod and untie my apron, throwing it onto the counter before slipping outside. The back area is mostly comprised of trash cans and recycling bins with a step to sit on. I wrinkle my nose at the ashtray next to the step as I lower myself, fishing out my cellphone from my back pocket. The smell of Jason’s cigarettes wafts up to me, making me want to kick the thing away.
Instead, I find Mom’s number and call it, listening to the ringtone while tapping my fingers against my knees. I still haven’t called Dad back. I don’t know what to say to him. Everything seems to be falling to pieces these days, and I would rather focus on him and Mom, rather than his disappointment in me.
I’m sure he has his opinions about me being with more than one man. I still don’t want to hear them.
“Hello, sweetie,” I hear Mom say, her voice sounding exhausted.
“Hey, Mom,” I say awkwardly. “How are you? How’s everything at home?”
Mom sighs. My heart plummets. I already know she’s going to say something terrible. My shoulders stiffen, waiting for the impact of her words. “Your father moved out yesterday.”
“Oh.” I knew it was only a matter of time, but the words still hit hard. Some part of me hoped they would make up. I guess every child feels this way. “Just give him time, Mom. He’ll want to talk to you eventually. I know he loves you. There might be—”
“We’re getting divorced, Rachel.”
Tears prickle my eyes, but I quickly wipe them away. A sob threatens to escape, but I need to remain strong, at least while I’m on the phone. I don’t want to break down when my mom is going through something so terrible.
She’s the reason why this is happening, I think darkly.
“Don’t worry about it, Rachel. There’s nothing you can do to fix this. It isn’t your problem.” I hear Mom pause followed by a long sigh. “And there’s really no point. We’ve been in a slump for so long. It was only a matter of time before we finally broke.”
I nod, but honestly, I don’t understand. Maybe I’m too young to. I can’t see myself ever growing apart from the bros. Hunter’s image surfaces in my mind and I wince, wondering what will happen to us down the road. Will we become like my parents? Will we break up once he graduates?
I shake my head, not wanting to think about that now.
“Well, I should let you go,” Mom says. “Enjoy your day, sweetie. Please, don’t let all this ruin it. We both love you very much.”
“I know,” I croak. I clear my throat and force a smile. "Love you, Mom.”
“Love you too, sweetie.”
I quickly rise, my gaze falling to the ashtray, my foot twitching to kick it, to kick something. Instead, I turn on my heel and stalk back inside, my feet pausing when I see Lauren waiting on the other side of the counter, tapping her fingers while looking up at the menu.
Fuck. Just what I need right now.
I look around, wondering where the hell Jason is, until I find him standing in the corner, phone to his ear, bobbing his head to whatever the person on the other line is telling him. It must be the owner. There’s no way Jason would ignore a customer for anything else.
Jason’s pleading gaze lands on me and he tilts his head toward Lauren, signaling for me to help her. I stifle a groan while snatching my apron and tying it too tight around my waist. As I approach her, Lauren’s smug gaze lands on me. Oh, she’s going to be an asshole. I can just see it.
“Hello,” I say too cheerfully. “Can I take your order?”
“I didn’t know you worked here.” Lauren looks me up and down with a sneer. “What happened to the sports store? Did they fire you?”
“They sure did,” I say cheerfully. “Now what can I get you?”
Lauren scoffs. “What did they fire you for? Screwing in the stockroom?” She shakes her head and clucks her tongue. “I can totally see it.”
