I’d never have the nerve to even make awkward conversation with.
“What’s with all the super hot guys suddenly in town?” It wasn’t what I wanted to say but the words escaped me all the same.
“Only you,” laughed Kristen, “would question there being too many hot guys around.”
“Well, a lot has changed in the past six years. I guess I just didn’t think home would be so different. Home is always the same, it’s what makes it home.” And now it doesn’t even feel like my home any more. No place did.
“But complaining about too many hot guys? Ahh... it’s good to have you back Jen. Anyway, all the changes happened when that so called reservation near town sprang up suddenly. It was about... three years ago? The town exploded with all the new people, we even have five clubs now!” Kristen practically shook with excitement, apparently lost in her own thoughts. She had always complained at the lack of a nightlife here.
“Ugh, clubs.” I couldn’t keep the disgust from my voice.
Kristen broke from her reverie and stared at me like my mother used to when she heard me swearing at home. “Have you ever actually been to one? An actual club, not some dive bar Mike dragged you out to? You’d have a really good time, I promise! In fact, Troy and I are going out tonight, you should totally come! We can go to Martini’s!”
“Nah, I think I’ll pass.” Music I hated being played way too loud, drunk men who reeked of alcohol, sticky floors, and groping hands? No, I definitely don’t like clubs.
“Why not? You have big plans of going home and cleaning your apartment all night again? I’m not having it, Jen. You can’t pretend that you’re still unpacking, I’ve been over, remember? You’re coming with us.” Kristen’s voice was firm, she wasn’t going to budge on this.
Fortunately I was saved by the door chime that signaled a new customer had entered the store. Rushing from the conversation, I felt as if I had narrowly avoided the trap of being dragged along as a third wheel to a place I didn’t want to go. I let out a quick sigh of relief as I crossed the store towards the front.
Dodged a bullet there...
“Jen, this conversation isn’t over!” Kristen’s voice chased after me.
Or not.
****
T he usual end of day rush came and went, leaving the store looking as if it had never been cleaned, but I didn’t really mind. This was easily my favorite part of any work day, all of the customers had gone and there would be no more. I was no longer required to force small talk with strangers in an attempt to part them from as much of their money as possible. Stupid sales goals . It felt like I was being forced to rob people with my false smile and I hated it.
A few sharp raps sounded from the front door. Kristen looked up from closing the register, a smile splitting her face.
Ah, this must be the mysterious Troy that she’s been dating for about a year. It was a record for Kristen, not that she got around. She was just permanently single by choice. It was probably easy to be picky when you look so stunning that men walk into walls just because they were staring at you. Though to be fair, that had only happened once.
Sure enough, Kristen’s laughter carried across the store as she walked hand in hand with a man back towards the register. Knowing Kris, she was already done with her work and would just be waiting for me to finish refolding the clothes.
Looking around at the mess the store was still in, a plan began to form in my mind. Normally when the store was this messy, Kris would just come help me finish tidying up when she was done with the register and nightly paperwork. Tonight though, she was oblivious to anything but Troy and she wouldn’t even notice the mess or how long it’d take me to clean it.
Making up my mind to give it a try, I approached the chatting couple, having to clear my throat twice before Kristen glanced over at me. “Oh! Sorry Jen, this is Troy. Troy, Jen.”
“What’s with all the super hot guys suddenly in town?” It wasn’t what I wanted to say but the words escaped me all the same.
“Only you,” laughed Kristen, “would question there being too many hot guys around.”
“Well, a lot has changed in the past six years. I guess I just didn’t think home would be so different. Home is always the same, it’s what makes it home.” And now it doesn’t even feel like my home any more. No place did.
“But complaining about too many hot guys? Ahh... it’s good to have you back Jen. Anyway, all the changes happened when that so called reservation near town sprang up suddenly. It was about... three years ago? The town exploded with all the new people, we even have five clubs now!” Kristen practically shook with excitement, apparently lost in her own thoughts. She had always complained at the lack of a nightlife here.
“Ugh, clubs.” I couldn’t keep the disgust from my voice.
Kristen broke from her reverie and stared at me like my mother used to when she heard me swearing at home. “Have you ever actually been to one? An actual club, not some dive bar Mike dragged you out to? You’d have a really good time, I promise! In fact, Troy and I are going out tonight, you should totally come! We can go to Martini’s!”
“Nah, I think I’ll pass.” Music I hated being played way too loud, drunk men who reeked of alcohol, sticky floors, and groping hands? No, I definitely don’t like clubs.
“Why not? You have big plans of going home and cleaning your apartment all night again? I’m not having it, Jen. You can’t pretend that you’re still unpacking, I’ve been over, remember? You’re coming with us.” Kristen’s voice was firm, she wasn’t going to budge on this.
Fortunately I was saved by the door chime that signaled a new customer had entered the store. Rushing from the conversation, I felt as if I had narrowly avoided the trap of being dragged along as a third wheel to a place I didn’t want to go. I let out a quick sigh of relief as I crossed the store towards the front.
Dodged a bullet there...
“Jen, this conversation isn’t over!” Kristen’s voice chased after me.
Or not.
****
T he usual end of day rush came and went, leaving the store looking as if it had never been cleaned, but I didn’t really mind. This was easily my favorite part of any work day, all of the customers had gone and there would be no more. I was no longer required to force small talk with strangers in an attempt to part them from as much of their money as possible. Stupid sales goals . It felt like I was being forced to rob people with my false smile and I hated it.
A few sharp raps sounded from the front door. Kristen looked up from closing the register, a smile splitting her face.
Ah, this must be the mysterious Troy that she’s been dating for about a year. It was a record for Kristen, not that she got around. She was just permanently single by choice. It was probably easy to be picky when you look so stunning that men walk into walls just because they were staring at you. Though to be fair, that had only happened once.
Sure enough, Kristen’s laughter carried across the store as she walked hand in hand with a man back towards the register. Knowing Kris, she was already done with her work and would just be waiting for me to finish refolding the clothes.
Looking around at the mess the store was still in, a plan began to form in my mind. Normally when the store was this messy, Kris would just come help me finish tidying up when she was done with the register and nightly paperwork. Tonight though, she was oblivious to anything but Troy and she wouldn’t even notice the mess or how long it’d take me to clean it.
Making up my mind to give it a try, I approached the chatting couple, having to clear my throat twice before Kristen glanced over at me. “Oh! Sorry Jen, this is Troy. Troy, Jen.”
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