To my left, at the employee table, a high schooler with a subtle nose ring calls her friend back. "I know. I didn't pick up because I'm at work. Well, yeah obviously. Technically, I'm not even supposed to be calling you back..." It's so great, the edge in her voice and I'm trying to stifle my laughter with both hands.
Oh goodness. The mom in the corner just moved to sit next to her daughter and they're both staring at the door with pleading eyes. The sun is all business today. Mid-90s and harsh, brutal light. Obviously they gave the father an opportunity to meet his daughter, who just started ballet day-camp, here at their favorite bagel place and, like the deadbeat he was, he couldn't muster up some balls to meet his daughter. The mom, Karen, clutches her phone nervously to her chin, rocking back and forth. Daughter Cassie quietly eats her bagel, carefully wiping her mouth with each bite. She wore her bright orange hair band for today, her favorite, and watercolor sundress.
What a sad story for Father's Day.
They decide it's about time. Karen places her large sunglasses over her eyes and clears the table as Vicky stands quietly by the door, drinking her tropically colored smoothie.
I love you dad, and mom, and brothers and sister.
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am i the only one thats confused? how did you know her name is karen? or did you make that up? is that a reference to my mom? if it is, then who the he..ck is vicky?? and how did a high schooler get a nose ring? man...where is her dad!? hidden messages...questions...answers...fetishes....
ReplyDeleteIs changing the name to Vicki a mistake? ...or what?
ReplyDeleteOK. I decided the hilarious pierced high school employee's name was Vicki. She had a name tag, but she didn't help me and I wasn't going to glance at her name tag region. When there are few customers, and they are sad, the employees are especially nice (hence, holding open the door).
ReplyDeleteI made almost all of this up. I didn't interview anybody in the store BUT it was all based on Homer's The Odyssey.