Chapter Text
Josh's hands were on the counter, his face was mere inches from mine, his features contorted. He was angry. Very angry.
"Why are you breaking up with me, Summer? After everything I did for you." Josh spat out at me.
I got the sudden urge to ask what exactly he did for me, but instead, I took a deep breath. "Josh, I explained everything this morning. Please don't show up at my work anymore."
He slammed his hands on the counter. "You bitch. Answer my fucking question."
I looked behind my ex-boyfriend and noticed a few nervous customers glancing toward the exit. I should have known he would have shown up at work to make a scene. It's 8 am and I don't have the energy for this. Actually, I didn't have the energy at 3 am when we initially had the conversation.
"If you don't leave the bakery right now, I'm going to have to call the police," I respond with a tone I hope is firm.
"I already called them. They're on their way."
I barely had time to register what was said when Josh whirls toward the voice. A young man with curly brown hair is leaning against the wall next to the washrooms, his tattooed arms crossed. He looked very calm for someone who was about to get the shit kicked out of him.
Josh's hands formed fists. I felt the blood drain from my face as I tried to think of a way to prevent Josh from punching the customer. Just as I was about to walk out from behind the counter to grab his arm, Josh spat at the man's feet and stormed out of the bakery.
The bakery went completely quiet except for the little bell on top of the door that rings every time it opens.
I looked at the man, still leaning against the wall, and thanked him.
"Any time. You deserve way better than him." He pushed himself off the wall. He paused as if he was about to say something else but decided against it.
How would he know what I deserve?
"Would you like a coffee or a donut?" I ask as I make my way behind the counter.
"Thank you but I'm already late for work. I'll see you around." He turns towards the doors but pauses before grabbing the door handle "I didn't actually call the police."
Before I get a chance to respond, I hear the bell ring as the door closes behind him.
I take a big inhale, hoping it'll activate my customer service voice as I keep serving customers.
The bakery was packed with customers waiting for their pastries and coffees before heading off to work. As per usual, I was working alone while Jackie, my boss, was typing away on the computer in her office. It wouldn't be so bad if she was actually working, but most of the time she's in there chatting with her boyfriend or playing solitaire online while I sweat bullets for a poverty wage.
It's in moments like these that I really hope that one day I can open my own bakery or café. A bakery where I can hire staff and pay them a living wage. A bakery where I can work on my own terms and make customers smile when I hand them freshly baked goods that I made and delicious roasted coffee.
An older lady walks up to the counter. I smile at her. "Hi, what can I get for you today?"
"What is taking so long? I've been waiting here for a half hour to get a coffee."
I take a big inhale before responding. "I'm sorry ma'am. I am the only one working at the moment. I am doing the best I can."
"You must be short-staffed. It seems like no one wants to work nowadays." She says as she fiddles with her purse to get her wallet. "Give me a black coffee and a blueberry scone."
I bite the side of my cheek as I pour the coffee and grab the scone for fear of telling off this customer.
Don't get me wrong. I love customer service but my tolerance for bullshit and disrespect is very low and I'd love nothing more than to share my opinions about why 'no one wants to work anymore'.
I hand the cup and the paper bag with the scone to the customer and with a forced smile I say, "have a lovely day."
The lady turns around without a word with her food and leaves the store.
Well, she was delightful.
I serve customer after customer until my shift ends at 12pm. I knock on Jackie's office door, next to the kitchen. "Hey, my shift is done. I'll see you tomorrow morning."
Jackie looks up from her computer, her eyes looking over her glasses. "You better not cause a scene tomorrow. I got an email complaint about it."
Did someone seriously send an email to Jackie because Josh made a scene at the store? As if it was my fault? And of course, she's more worried about how the store looks than my safety or well-being.
"Right. I'll make sure it doesn't happen again." I turned around before she could say anything else.
I leave the store and grab my phone from my back pocket while I walk a few blocks to reach the culinary college.
I'm currently in the second and last year of my Culinary Arts degree. Next year, I plan to take the Pastry Arts program in order to perfect my baking skills. Two more years of college and then I can open my own little bakery. Well, once I save up some money and get approved for a loan from a bank. But, that's stress for another day.
Josh is enough stress for now. I still can't believe he caused a scene at work. It's not truly out of character for him so I should have expected it.
Speaking of Josh... I connect my headphones to my phone and I call my mom.
"Hey, mom."
"Hi, sweety. Is everything ok? You sound like you're having a bad day."
Tell me about it.
"Well, Josh and I broke up," I say as I stop at a traffic light and push the button for pedestrians. "I was wondering if I'd be able to stay at your place until I can find another one."
There was a pause at the other end of the line.
"Honey, you know that your dad and I are using your old bedroom as an office. There is no space for you here anymore."
I ignore the sinking feeling in my stomach.
"It'll just be for a month until I can find someplace. I know a month is long but rent is expensive, it'll take me a few weeks to find a place within my budget."
"I guess you can stay on the couch. But a month is too long, you need to find a place to stay sooner rather than later."
Tears well up in my eyes. I try to control my voice the best I can before responding, "I'll do my best."
I'm doing my best; I'll do my best. That's all I ever do and life keeps throwing lemons at me.
"I'll pack my things after school. See you tonight." I hang up the phone and take a deep breath.
I walk towards the old college building when I realize that I forgot my chef coat at work. From all the recent events and disappointments, I can't help but let the tears slide down my face as frustration and hopelessness overwhelm me.
This is all just proof that my life is meant to be a fucking disaster.