by TC Rybicki
I labeled a new jar and tried my best to ignore Nina. I was wrong about her not liking me; she positively despised me. Gram had a close friend that kept her in supply of local honey, and it was a best-seller in the shop. I needed to get the case labeled and set up on the shelf, so I could be done for the day. Nina had her own box of jams and jellies, but she was too concerned about my parentage. This was the worst day at work so far. It was hot, long and miserable; tomorrow would be more of the same. I was finally starting to feel the after-effects of all the heavy lifting and tedious work with my hands. I ached all over and one other thing, I never heard from Dane since we read my poem. He didn’t answer my hello text at lunch and for some reason, it bothered me more than it should.
“Hey, brat. I’m talking to you. Where’d you come from? Why are you working with the peasants? I was supposed to have a full-time position and then I find out you and I are sharing hours. It’s not fucking fair. I have to pay for college myself.”
That was it. I had all I could stand of this annoying troll with the split ends and drug store eyeshadow. I slammed down the honey in my hands. I wasn’t as lucky as Nina was with the box of jars. A fine cracked ran up the side of the honey jar. I would have to submit it to Loni as a damage, and I caused it. Gram would dock me. There was no favoritism despite what Nina thought.
“Good thing we are sharing since you are so slow or else I doubt you’d keep this job until the end of the week. Gram has high standards. I don’t owe you an explanation where I come from or why I’m living with my grandmother. Martin didn’t have all boys because obviously I’m a woman so shut your face and leave me alone.”
“You’re a rich bitch, and I refuse to sit by and watch you get preferential treatment.”
“Well, you’re an ugly bitch. Maybe you should use the money you make to fix that bump on your nose before you spend it on an education.” I normally hated belittling people’s appearance, but this time it felt good. Nina and I would’ve been fine if she’d stayed out of my way. I pulled out the damage slip for Loni and scribbled out the cost of one jar of honey with my signature before tossing the jar in the garbage. “No one’s getting preferential treatment with the likes of my Gram. I suggest you worry about yourself if you want to keep this job because you kinda suck. Bye. I’m done, and you look like you have an hour’s worth of work left.”
Frisco was outside the door and offered to put the box of honey jars in his cart. That sounded way better than lugging twenty pounds of honey up the hill. Hopefully, his invitation was extended to me as well. I was done being on my feet. He motioned for me to jump on before starting his motorized cart. The last thing I expected was a lecture.
“Miss Sydney, that wasn’t very nice.”
“You heard?”
“You shouted. A few people heard.”
“Not Loni?”
“No, she went into town on an errand for Ms. Josie. She’ll know by tomorrow.”
“Good Lord. All I said was she needs a nose job. I doubt I’m the first. She was horrid to me first. Look.” I showed Frisco my short fingernails. That was all because of Nina. The first one at least, then Dane cut the others to match. Today, I swore Nina left a mark on me when she ran into me. That was irony. She broke my nail and now I bore a semi-scar from her talons. I pulled my sleeve up. “And that too. She left a mark, didn’t she?”
“A tiny scrape. Those things happen around here often, the branches, the packing, you name it.”
“No, it’s her purposely ramming into me trying to mess me up.” I contorted my arm, so I could see the mark.
“Oh my God! That’s not tiny. It’s huge. She broke the skin. Turn around. I’m going back to ask if she’s been tested for diseases.”
“No, I’m on a schedule. I’ll help you deliver the box to the shop and then I need to get back to the barn. The truck is ready though. Ms. Josie insisted it was top priority.”
“Great, Rusty rides again. I can’t wait to hop inside and drive in circles around Nowheresville. I would wear a disguise back home but here, no one cares.”
“Who? You lost me.”
“Never mind. Thanks for giving me and the honey a lift. With my injured arm I might have dropped it, and I already broke one jar.”
“Oh, no. Ms. Josie will make you pay for it.”
“I know, Frisco. I know all too well about paying for my mistakes.”
All I wanted to do was fall into bed after I set up the shelves in the B&B’s boutique. It wasn’t even six o’clock. I didn’t have anything better to do. Gram walked into the kitchen while I rummaged for something to eat. “I doubt you have almond butter, do you?”
“I’ve got Jif. You’ll live.”
On days like today, I felt like saying I’d rather not. No chance I’d ever vocalize that to Gram. She would guilt me for the next week about taking the life the Good Lord gave me for granted.
“You startin’ dinner?”
“To tell you the truth, Gram. I don’t feel so hot. The monthly bill is almost due. I was going to make a fold-over and call it a night.”
“Fine, I have leftovers to eat, but make it a whole sandwich, please before I have to take you to the doctor.”
I pulled out disgusting enriched white bread and continued to make a peanut butter and jelly fold-over while Gram watched my blatant disobedience. I poured a glass of chocolate milk to prove I would get some extra calories. I rolled my half sandwich in a napkin and balanced it on my glass, so I could head up to my room.
“Oh, no you don’t. Dinner’s ate at the table.”
“I’m not going to spill it.”
“Sit down. I have something to say and you’re going to listen.” I didn’t want to disrespect my Gram, but she had no idea how rotten my mood had gotten. The less I said, the better. “Why did you mouth off and hurt that poor Romero girl?”
“What? I didn’t. She hurt me. Man, Frisco has a big mouth.”
“I didn’t hear anything from Frisco. I heard it straight from the source. I’m ashamed of you. Nina’s father was my boys’ best buddy growing up. She lost her mother at twelve to ovarian cancer. Their lives have never been easy. I promised her father I’d look out for her.”
“Well, she’s rude and hates me. Perhaps, you should have told me this sad tale before I met her, and I would have attempted to hold my tongue better, but she started it.”
“And you went too far.”
“You’re taking her side over mine.”
“I don’t take sides. I listen, and I saw the broken honey jars. That proves you’ve got a temper problem and it needs to get fixed, real quick.”
“Wait a minute. I broke one jar, and I filled out the form.”
“There were four, Sydney. I can count.”
“Then that hooked-nose bitch broke them.”
“Stop all yer name calling. She’s a beautiful girl. Not everyone goes to the salon weekly or spends thousands on clothes and makeup.”
“Fine. Dock me the whole case. I don’t care. I’m not apologizing. She says I work here because I’m your granddaughter, and she doesn’t believe the story about Uncle Martin either.”
“First off. I’m only docking you four; that’s what’s in the trashcan. I didn’t think about Nina’s father being able to dispute the story. I’ve known Jesse Romero for decades. Try not to discuss it, but if he finds out the truth, we can trust him. He’s a good man. Back to Nina. She was hired before you and she’s right.”
“Right about what?”
“I’d never hire a girl like you if you weren’t my flesh and blood. You’re spoiled, entitled and haven’t done a hard day’s labor in your life.”
“I’ve worked circles around Nina.”
“Right. So, I’ve heard, and that just goes to show you, I’m not always right. I’ll happily admit when I’m wrong. I misjudged you, Syd. You’re a fine worker and I appreciate it. Now I’d like you to apologize to Nina for your harsh insult. You were in the wrong.”
I held back the tears t
hat had been threatening to surface since the cracked honey jar. I didn’t want to apologize. Was Gram going to insist Nina apologize for my periwinkle manicure or my maimed arm? I kept it to myself. Gram hated whining.
“Fine. Tomorrow I’ll admit I was rude if she admits she broke the extra honey jars to make me look bad.”
“Sydney Marlene Hagel. Stop this nonsense. You both need to work this summer, and you will continue to work side by side. I am not firing that girl. Her father is working two jobs. He has three other children and Nina also waitresses at a dive bar in town late nights. Perhaps, that’s why she is dragging at times. I doubt she sleeps many hours each night. They have struggles, and I can sympathize.”
“Look, I’m sorry she has a dead mother and they are poor or whatever, but everyone has struggles. What makes her special? I’d like to speak to my father, but that’s not happening anytime soon unless he gets to write. I had a good life and now I…” I stopped myself because I wasn’t about to appear ungrateful to Gram. “I mean, things are different now, and I’m still trying to adjust. I’ll do better tomorrow, please, Gram. I need a hot bath and to go to bed early.”
“I can imagine. Next time don’t stay out so late with that man you’re so smitten with and get a proper’s night rest.”
“I’m not smitten.”
“What was that? Sometimes my hearing fails me.”
I rolled my eyes at my grandmother, “See you tomorrow.”
“Love you, girl.”
“Love you, Gram.” I trudged up the stairs with my phone in my hands. No missed calls or texts. I was alone, and no one cared.
I gathered what I wanted to sleep in and I picked out something nicer than an old tank top and holey pajama pants. He probably wouldn’t come tonight, but he might. My phone buzzed from the spot where I sat it to charge.
Dane.
No, Grant. I stared a brief few seconds. Disappointment. My head shook furiously to clear my thoughts of betrayal. I was not disappointed. I needed to stop this.
“Hey, handsome. How was your day? I was just thinking about you.” Lies. I was a liar suddenly.
“Babe, I miss you. Why do I keep missing you so often at night?”
Because I’m spending my nights with another man. “I don’t know. I’m tired, I guess. I was about to take a bath and turn in early.”
“Nice. If you’re already naked. Send pics please.”
“Grant be serious.”
“I’m dead serious. We barely got any alone time before you left.”
“Hello, I was a little distracted with my life imploding.”
“I know. Sorry. I helped out, didn’t I?”
“Yes, of course, you did. You stood up for me at school and gave me a safe place just to be and cry. You were great, but I’m sorry, I don’t trust your friends and I’m not in that kind of mood.”
“I get it, but I’m so lonely without you. Besides, I swear, my pics are password protected. No one will ever see. I don’t share my girl.”
I regretted ever sharing a few things with him. I hope he was honest about those being locked up. He was right. I trusted him, but that still didn’t put me in a sexting mood. “Grant, this day was atrocious.”
“She works you hard even though you’re her grandchild?”
“Yes, so hard and I drive this horrendous truck that should have been crushed at the junkyard twenty-years-ago.”
“Yikes. That sucks.” Grant got me like no one else.
“Yes, and there’s a mean girl.”
“Mean to you?”
“A complete shrew for no damn reason, I might add.”
“She’s jealous.”
“Of course, she is. Gram wants me to apologize for insulting her.”
“That’s not your specialty.”
“What? What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I don’t know; you just don’t say ‘I’m sorry’ much.”
“I do so if it’s appropriate.”
“Whatever. I can’t talk long. I’m going to a special dinner with Mom and Dad for his work. We could Facetime when I get back. Maybe you’ll be in the mood.”
“I’ll be asleep in an hour. Sorry. Have fun. Kiss your mom for me. I miss her.”
“Will do. She asks about you every day. Hey, before you go to the bath, open my text. I’m sending you something and it might change your mood. I’m not afraid of my nudes getting out. Who do you know now, anyway?” My phone dinged with an incoming text, but my mind focused on Grant’s laughter. Was he laughing at the fact I had no friends left or what he sent? I didn’t have a chance to ask before he said, “Love ya, bye. Gotta go.”
I opened the text and dropped my phone. Really, a dick pic? How’d he get it up when our convo wasn’t even remotely sexual. Boys. Nasty. I told him I didn’t like those. I took my clothes and started a shower. I felt sweaty and gross, so I decided a fast shower before my long soak. Before I jumped in my hot bath, I remembered I had a package of bath bombs left in my bag in the closet. One of those tranquility, green tea ones would hit the spot. I couldn’t go to the spa anymore, but I could bring the spa to me.
My phone was bouncing on the nightstand. Grant could forget it. I wasn’t looking at his peen again today. Seen it plenty and it wasn’t that great or maybe it was. I had nothing to compare it to. Dane’s name was on my screen. I grabbed the phone so fast, it jerked off the charging cord.
“Hello. Hello, are you there?”
“Yeah, I’m here. Did I catch you practicing your cheers? You sound out of breath.”
“No dummy. I don’t practice cheers. I’m not on a squad anymore. I was running because my bath is ready.”
“I don’t wanna know the rest. I’ll let you go, I guess. You’re taking an early bath, was it a hard day?”
“The worst, but obviously you don’t care. You never responded to my text.”
“I was busy. You know, since I’m a real man that has a job and such, ever known one of those?”
“Rude. Yes, I’ve known plenty of men with jobs.” I didn’t say Daddy and his old friends because I was annoyed at Dane. I was also annoyed at myself for waiting for this call all damn day. “So, you were too busy to say hi back? I can imagine two-lettered word texts are ultra-time consuming.”
“I had to go to San Antonio. It was last minute, so yeah, I was too busy to be on my phone.”
“Oh. Okay. Well, are you home?”
“No. I’m staying the night. We didn’t finish up because the guy overseeing the deal I’m working on had something with his kids tonight. We have to finish up in the morning.”
That meant no late-night trellis climbs and subsequent poetry reads. I was bummed but needed to sleep, so it was for the best.
“Well, I just wanted to say, hey. I’ll let you to your soak.”
“Are you busy still?”
“No, I grabbed take-out and just sat down in my hotel room to eat.”
“Oh, okay so we can talk. I’ll bring you to the bath with me.” The phone crackled, or Dane was making were noises. “Dane. You still there?”
“Yes, I’m here. I doubt Gram will replace your phone if you drop it in the water. I’ll let you go so there won’t be any accidents.”
“No, it’s cool. There’s a tiny table for towels next to the tub. I’ll just put you on speaker. I’m dying to tell you what happened today. I totally need to vent.”
I tossed in the bath bomb, dropped my towel, and set the phone on the table. Dane stopped talking again. Maybe his hotel didn’t have the greatest connection. After my oohs and ahhs about how good this hot bath felt on my sore body, I called out his name again.
“Yes, I’m here Sydney. You’re trying to kill me on purpose, aren’t you?”
“I don’t know what you mean, but anyway about this horrid bitch, Nina. She is determined to ruin my life even further.”
“Hold up. Can I ask a question?”
“Yes.”
“Is it Nina Romero?”
“Shut up. Yo
u know her? She’s the worst, isn’t she?”
“Well, not exactly, but she can be moody. Yeah, I know her. She used to work at Allen’s. I didn’t know she quit.”
“No, apparently, she has to work two jobs or something about a dead mom and a houseful of siblings. Anyway. She broke honey jars and blamed me and now I’m stuck apologizing. Gram’s forcing me.”
“That doesn’t even make sense, Syd. Why are you apologizing for her screw up?”
I told him how it all started and who said what and why, so Dane wouldn’t be confused any longer. I needed one person to agree with me.
“Damn, you’re cold. Why’d you insult her face?”
“Her nose. I didn’t insult her entire face, but I’m sure I could’ve if I’d gone for the jugular. Did you not hear me? She thinks I’m a spoiled, rich brat.”
“Well…”
“Fine. Gang up on me like everyone else: Frisco, Gram, Nina, and her nose bump. I thought you were different.”
“I am different Sydney and like I said, I know about Nina. She isn’t all bad, but you’re right she has a huge chip on her shoulder. I have no doubt she’s been baiting you to try to get you in trouble. Chill out. Don’t bite. Ignore her, and she’ll get tired of it.”
“Can you hold a second? I’m going to add some hot water.” The extra steam enhanced the aroma in the bathroom. When I shut the water off. I told Dane about my scented bath bomb. “Doesn’t it sound heavenly?”
“Yes, you naked in green bathwater sounds super heavenly or maybe I’m suffering in hell thinking too much about it. I think I should let you go. I could call back if you’re not too tired. I have a surprise for you.”
“You do?” That was the best news of my day. “What did you get me?”
“I’m not telling yet; that’s why it’s a surprise.”
Dane didn’t want to keep talking to me why I enjoyed my bath, and he said he needed to eat, so we agreed to chat again in twenty minutes. I closed my eyes and attempted to wash away all the bad thoughts from the day. Grant seemed to be the only one that got it. Nina was jealous of me. I would’ve never said something mean about her worst attribute if she’d just stayed away from me. Dane knew Nina. That was an interesting twist. I wonder how well.
