I was hurrying home trying to hide my bloodied knuckles from passersby. I looked rough. I could feel my lip dripping with crimson. I wiped it onto the back of my hand, ignoring the scratches or the bruises stinging my hands and face. I rewound the memory of getting him to swing at me, just for me to shatter his 'winning streak'. I came to our little red shop. Dad was behind the counter tapping a pen against the counter. I yanked the door open causing the old bell to meekly ring. My dad snapped his attention to the door. I felt his gaze before he said anything.
"Looks like it's my lucky day. Half of my kids are hurt." my dad sighed pushing himself up away from the store counter. He made his way over to me. He raised my face to the light so he could see my face better. "Who did you mouth off to this time?" He let go of my face allowing me to slouch away.
"If you think I'm beat up, you should see the other guy." He tsk'd at me going back behind the counter for the first aid kit.
"I just finished avenging my younger brother, you should be proud, your daughters just like you." I released my 'you know you love me' smile as he drifted over to me.
"I know you're a lot like me, but I refuse to be joyful about it." He started getting alcohol onto one of the little wipes. He dabbed at the cut on my cheek and lip, I winced from the initial burn. "I am proud you took care of that little shit," He pulled my face back where I had glanced out the window, "that means daddy doesn't go to jail for assaulting a minor."
"You don't even have to worry about me getting caught." I smiled at him as he taped gauze onto my face. "He knows to keep my name out of his mouth, and his mom thinks he deserves to get roughed up." My dad gave me a look that asked a bunch of questions he didn't want to know. "She's the one who broke up the fight! She thanked me though for taking him down a notch." He ruffled my hair before snapping the kit shut.
"I'm glad my Ams isn't going to jail either." He smiled at me before gesturing for me to go behind the counter. "You get to work until eight though. Have fun with that."
"Fine, but I'm eating two honeybons right now." He dismissed me with a wave. I sighed and slid onto my stool behind the counter, preparing for a long four hours. I had at least two busy hours altogether, along with telling a couple of Karens to fuck off. It was almost twenty minutes until I could lock up. There was only one person in the store so I read through this old magazine my dad likes. Feri tapped my shoulder from across the counter. I glanced up at him, his face was slightly swollen, he had Pretty Kitty band aid's on his face, he looked kind of sad. "What's wrong with you?"
"Ah nothing," He rubbed the back of his neck, avoiding my gaze, "Dad wants me to go into the back and put some stuff into the freezer, I have to let you know in case I lock myself in it again."
"Okay, bring your phone, cause I don't want you yelling back there." I went back to my book as he left. I heard the shuffling of goth boots as they approached the counter. I looked up to see the kid-man at the counter. He shuffled in an awkward way before I locked my eyes onto his face.
"Is there an Al Vandetta here?" The kid seemed shy. I felt shock ripple through my body, I never thought I'd see him here.