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I walked down the street and let out a huff.
Man, looking for a job was harder than I thought. I had been looking all morning but every place I went to just said they would call me if they needed me. So, basically, they didn’t need me. I had a couple places left to go, but if they didn’t end up working out I’d have to see if I could help around the Fuentes’ with mom. Let’s hope that doesn’t happen though because I would freaking die if I worked in that fucking household.
I came up to a restaurant that wasn’t too far from the school and just looked at it for a second. This place was pretty nice. It wasn’t like a normal restaurant that families frequented in normal towns. This one was sort of high-end. Somewhere you would take someone on a first date. It wasn’t a place that you’d expect kids from the high school to frequent but most of them were rich so it was more of a Friday night dinner place.
As I walked in, I gagged at the interior appearance. I’ve never eaten in here, really. Not even when I was a kid when we had a lot more money than we do now. Like I said, it was a rich person’s kitchen. Not a family’s afternoon treat.
I walked inside more and made my way to the front where a host stood. As I walked, everything hit me all at once. The smell of freshly cooked food and the feel of the smooth hardwood floors beneath me. There wasn’t a drop of blood in my body that didn’t want to see something messed up in here and make it look sub-par.
“Hi, there!” A girl smiled at me. She had dark hair that was pulled back and she was built like a supermodel. I wondered why she was stuck working here. She probably had plenty of money not to. “Welcome to Greenies’! Table for one?”
“No, thanks.” I simply replied. “I was just wondering if I could talk to someone in upper management or something? I was looking for a job.”
“Oh, well, we’re under new management since last week or so. Uh, the new owner is actually here, though. I can lead you to him in a second. I just have to serve these people right quick.” She explained as she nodded her head towards a family that was walking in. I nodded and stood to the side so I was out of the way.
I watched how she did things. How she greeted the family that was condescending as they greeted her back and answered her simple question. How she still smiled after they didn’t say ‘thank you’ and kept walking to their assigned table. It pissed me off.
“You must be great at your job,” I commented as she led me to the back. We passed many tables full of people eating, smiling, drinking. It was so odd.
“How do you figure?”
“Sometimes people are just rude. I don’t get it.” I shrugged off. She stopped when we got to a black door that looked pretty hidden. “Why did you stop?”
“Attitude is everything, kid.” She patted my back. “I need you to smile, stand up straight and be confident. The new boss is all about appearance and efficiency. He won’t think to hire you if you’re lacking.”
I mentally groaned. He sounded like he had a stick up his ass, again.
“Whatever,” I pushed passed her a bit, saying thank you as I did so, and walked into the busy back. As soon as I did, I was met with a familiar man not much shorter than me but a lot more in power. Mr. Fuentes.
“Oh my-“
“Kellin?” I was cut off by his voice. “What are you doing here?” I remembered what that girl told me. Smile, I did so. Stand up straight, I fixed myself. And to have confidence. That was already there.
“I was looking for a job, Mr. Fuentes.” I smiled towards him but he furrowed his eyebrows at me and my smile fell quicker than you could ever imagine. I couldn’t smile so much around him just for pleasure. Why would I even think about changing for this guy?
“And you came here?” He asked. He pointed for me to have a seat in a chair that opposed his desk and I complied, sitting on the arm of it to not seem too comfortable. He sat in his leather swivel and leaned backward. The complete opposite of me.
“Yes. I was just wondering if you needed a busboy or dishwasher. Even someone to just mop after closing.” I suggested. Anything sounded good at this point but Mr. Fuentes just looked at me with no reaction. Again, I had no idea what he was thinking but I was itching to find out. It just annoyed me.
“We’re going to breakfast soon, am I correct?” He asked simply as he leaned forward in his chair and looked into my eyes. I squinted them and groaned.
“Did I have an option to say ‘no’?” He smiled.
“We can talk then about a job. For now, I’ll give you some money until breakfast.”
“Wha-” He quickly handed me a check written for fifty dollars and called someone to escort me out of the office and back into the dining hall where everyone sat still.
I looked down at the check and grunted. I stuffed it into my pocket and began to walk out of the restaurant. I can’t believe he had the audacity to do that. I mean, what was I? A charity case? Someone in need? No. No, I didn’t need his help or anyone else’s. As I walked I thought of other places I could go to for work but nothing came up. I was reaching for anything else except here. I didn’t want to feel like I had to be taken care of by him. That was bullshit.
“Kellin, I’m glad I caught out on the way out!” Mr. Fuentes stopped me as he grabbed my shoulder. I quickly grabbed his arm and pulled it downward with force.
“Don’t you touch me again,” I warned. I was beyond pissed off. “You have no right.”
He chuckled nervously. “Go see Vic.” I looked at him, steaming.
“Take your fucking check.” I pushed it into his chest. “And go see your own fucking son.”
“Kellin, you don’t understand. This is for you-“
“No, that’s the issue. I understand, but you don’t. Take your goddamn money back. I’m not seeing you again. I’m not a fucking helpless kid.”
“I know you’re not.”
“Piss off.”
“Kellin Quinn, take this check and go see my son. Please.” He stuffed it into my hands, holding them tightly so I couldn’t pull away. “Please,” He looked so sincere but my eyes were filled with rage and hatred. Again.
I grunted as I pulled my hands away with the check and stormed off in the direction of his stupid house. I had no intentions of talking to Vic, yet I was still walking towards the house. Mom was there. She’s why I was going. That’s why.
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