Welcome to Vintage Thrifty, this is Karma speaking. How may I assist you today? I was already tired of repeating all that shit just to answer these phones. Looking over, I saw my manager walking with what looked like three new hires. I glanced over at Crystal with the girl look, look at this bullshit face. All I could think was, really, three new people? There goes all my extra overtime, eviction here we come.
Good morning, ladies. Let me introduce you to your new coworkers, said my manager with a huge fake smile. Today we will be implementing the buddy system for training for the rest of this week.
Crystal was assigned with the two new girls and paired me with this young man who went by the name Morman but insisted I call him Cook. I was already irritated, but he wasn't too bad to look at. He was a short, stocky man with dark skin and large, bright brown expressive eyes. I heard one of the new girls say she was surprised he even got hired, as he was also known around the city as a troublemaker.
I noticed within the first couple of hours he constantly asked for breaks and would walk around outside to the back of the building. Other than that, he was very quiet the first day, but he just didn't seem too interested in what I was teaching him.
It's been four days now, and this would make the last day of training. After spending eight hours together for these days, we had kind of built a glue like bond between us. Cook was very down to earth. He was funny as hell and highly outspoken.
As we sat waiting to get relieved for our break, Cook was walking back from the vending machine from getting a soda. He was looking into my eyes with this smile that made me feel a bit awkward but also that butterfly feeling. I may be wrong, but I think he kind of likes me.
Hey Karma, what are your plans this weekend? he asked me while doing some random ass jumping jacks.
Um, oh um, not sure. There are so many things planned I can hardly keep up, I said while not trying to sound so easy. Listen to my lying ass.
Aww that sucks, I wanted to see if. And before he could finish, he went to open his soda and it squirted all over him, leaving his t shirt soaked. He immediately freaked out and walked toward the breakroom while taking off his work shirt.
I hated his second hand embarrassment, so I jumped in to help. Oh, follow me, we have more shirts in the back, I said while grabbing some paper towels. Once we got into the breakroom, I grabbed him another shirt and started using the paper towels to dry him off, and I noticed a long scar across his rib cage.
Wow, that's a deep battle wound you have there, I said.
He then froze and took the paper towel from my hand. More like an abuse wound.
I I I'm sorry, I said while stuttering.
Yeah, my dad was an asshole. He tried to kill me when I was six years old.
Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry, Cook. I mean like, I completely understand.
His voice changed with anger. No, you don't know. I don't like when people say they understand and have no idea.
My whole facial expression changed. I then took a deep breath and pulled up my shirt in silence, turning around, showing him the stab wounds on my back.
No seriously, Cook, I really understand what it feels like when someone wants you dead, I said with my back turned toward him so he couldn't see the tears pouring from my face.
I didn't understand why I felt so vulnerable or even open to share this with him. It just felt like I'd known him forever.
With no response, I felt his fingers tracing across the scar on my back. It felt like a different feeling, like a connection. He then grabbed my shirt and pulled it down and slowly turned me around. We stared into each other's eyes and he leaned in for a kiss. My heart was racing fast, but not in a nervous way, more like I wanted this.
Right before he could place his juicy lips on mine, we heard a loud man's voice yell, can I get some damn help around here, hello hello. It was indeed an angry customer. We both shook back to reality and ran back to the registers.
Hello sir, I'm so sorry we had you waiting. How can I help you? I asked, trying to use my most whitest voice possible.
Are you the manager? he said with an attitude.
He was upset about an item he had purchased days before. Unfortunately, the manager was already out for the day. I remembered all sales are final and only managers are allowed to do exchanges only, no refunds here buddy, and the majority of the time they won't even get that, it just depends on the situation.
So I said politely, Sir, I do apologize. All sales are final, but we can give you an exchange, but it will have to be tomorrow when our manager is present. Hopefully that is okay with you?
The man's anger escalated and he began throwing and breaking items around the store. He then walked up to me and started screaming in my face, threatening to beat my ass.
I immediately felt myself get so small, and a wave of heat came over my body. I felt myself having a flashback from my traumatic past with my ex husband Robert. It had gotten so bad I could even smell the odor from the garage coming back. The man's face even turned into Robert's. As soon as that happened, all I remember is collapsing to the floor and balling myself up for protection, covering my head and crying, lost in a trance. All I could do was apologize.
The angry customer didn't stop. He grew worse and continued his rant in rage.
Cook, in shock at my reaction, automatically was very familiar with the anxiety attack I was having since he had them himself before, and from his trauma past. He saw himself in me.
Cook then turned to the man and said these words exactly, Aye cuz, who the hell do you think you're talking to?
With so much rage in his eyes, the man ignored him. He continued yelling at me. Cook, furious, asked again. When the man refused to answer, Cook walked up and punched him straight in his face several times, yelling, You like bothering women? Try bothering a man your size.
I froze seeing him with so much anger, still in shock but feeling an unexpected sense of protection, watching as Cook defended me.
Crystal and the other two girls returned just in time to grab Cook from the now bloodied and swollen faced man, who demanded that the authorities be called. Cook, realizing the trouble he was in, grabbed his backpack and fled the store.
All night I couldn't sleep. I wished I had his number or some way to find him just to thank him. I'd never had anyone stand up for me like that before. I was so anxious to get to work.
The following day, I went straight in looking for him.
Hey, good morning Crystal, has Cook clocked in yet? I asked in a rush.
Crystal replied, hey boo girl, are you ready for this piping tea or naw?
I smacked my lips. Girl, tell me where Cook is. I'll get the damn tea later.
Crystal laughed. Well, Cook is the tea. You know he literally lives on the same block as me, and that boy is in jail. I saw police with my own eyes take Cook away in handcuffs. That angry ass customer gave his description and is pressing charges. They found out where he lived.
My stomach immediately fell straight to my ass. I was so sad. Sad, I was struggling with guilt and gratitude.
I can't believe I'm the reason he went to jail.
Crystal replied, now ain't that some piping tea for your morning, hoe.
I just rolled my damn eyes at her and walked off. I was quiet my whole shift, just thinking about him.
As I clocked out for the end of my day, Crystal came next to clock out.
Hey crybaby, you done crying?
I said, whatever Crystal.
Well anywho, I'm having a party. Well, my brother is having a party, but I want you to come.
I was hesitant and didn't want to go. I just wanted to lay in bed and cry.
She then rubbed my shoulder. Girl, just think about it. I'll come get you, just call me if you change your mind.
Once I got home, I told my mother the whole situation and even how Crystal invited me to a party. My mom, looking at how frustrated I was, said, Sweetie, you have no friends. You really don't go anywhere. Please try to enjoy yourself. Go to the party. Matter of fact, stay the night there. I have the boys.
With my mother's encouragement, she was right. I decided after all to step out of my comfort zone and go.
As I got dressed waiting for Crystal, I must have changed 100 times. Looking at myself in the mirror, I felt so out of place, but I knew deep down inside I was beginning to recognize the woman I am now.
I began to encourage and embrace myself, looking at my beautiful, smooth, dark, glowing skin, a bright smile, slanted eyes, and dark black curly hair. Though I had always been short, I knew I was that girl.
Crystal finally picked me up and we arrived at the party. As I walked in and noticed everyone in the room looking at me, I felt a surge of nerves and walked around awkwardly.
Damn girl, you look good. Who knew you had all that ass under them work pants? Crystal said laughing. Are you ready to party? Would you like something to drink?
Yes, I'll take a lemonade if you have one, I said, trying not to look so lame.
Lemonade? Lemonade? Crystal laughed. We don't have lemonade. How about a shot of vodka, hoe?
I then had a flashback of hearing Robert's dumb ass voice teaching me about the dangers of alcohol, calling it the devil's liquor.
Crystal noticed my hesitation and said, Chill, remember you're staying here tonight. Have some fun, live a little.
After contemplating the possibility of enjoyment, I decided to let go of my fears. Sure, let's do this, I said with a smile on my face.
We were four shots in. I started to feel hot, but also less nervous. Crystal pulled me to dance and I was starting to enjoy myself. I had loosened all the way up. I smiled and laughed, engaging with almost everyone at the party.
A couple of hours passed and I was drunk as a skunk. Crystal wrapped her arms around my neck and whispered to me, I have something to help you sober up a bit. Do you want it?
I was like, I mean, I'm not that drunk, but if you say so, sure.
Stick your tongue out, said Crystal, and I did as she instructed. Crystal placed a pill on my tongue. Without questioning or thinking twice, I swallowed.
Girl, who knew over the counter meds help with being too drunk? I said while laughing.
Crystal, looking at me with a smirk, replied, No silly, it's a blue dolphin, you know, ecstasy.
Hoe, what? I said, giving her a confused look. What is that?
Crystal said, stop all that worrying and let's ride this wave.
I was too buzzed to react strongly, so I just said forget it.
Like 20 minutes went by. I could feel the drug began to take effect. It was like a wave. I felt an intense rush of euphoria. My surroundings became more vivid, the music pulsated through my body, and I felt a heightened sense of connection with everyone around me.
For the first time in a long while, I let go of my worries and allowed myself to fully immerse myself in the moment, embracing the unexpected of the night.