Frigid temperature and warm breeze combined. It created a very good climate today.
The scenery was nifty. The sun hid behind clouds. Some colorful cars stayed along the curb. The sidewalk was spotless. The plants looked so green.
A few people were here. It was often crowded but not at this moment.
I still had lots of time. It was twenty minutes earlier than working hours. My position was getting close to the destination, just about a hundred feet left.
I ambled while catching a glimpse of each house around. Even though they permanently looked unchanged, I never got bored staring at them.
My legs kept moving till I could see a small building standing far in front of me. It had a thick board written "Pearson's Mart" on its head and a glass door with a lighted open sign.
I arrived at 7.50 am. I didn't see anyone except a tubby man with bushy mustache, who was standing behind a cash register. He's Pearson, my employer. I was the only employee since he just needed one person in this job. I'd been working as his assistant for four years.
This supermarket had very small size. Its products were inadequate. Just a few canned foods, meat, snacks, drinks, some fresh vegetables, and fruits.
"Hi, Pearson!"
"Hey, Richard!" he stopped counting dollars. "Good to see you! How's everything?"
"Good. You?"
"Hmmm, not going too great." He kept his money. "I got a problem last night... with my wife."
It wasn't good. I meant this current situation, not the problem that Pearson had. I was supposed not to ask him. Otherwise, it'd take a very long time to finish his conversation.
"She and I went to mall," Pearson continued. "We went to the boutique. Then, she chose some dresses and asked me many things, about the color, style, pattern. Ow! 'twas so confusing. And, none of my answers was correct in her ears. After that, she scolded me. Latterly, we fought and 'twas not done."
That wasn't a serious problem. Pearson and his wife just overreacted. In fact, nobody will be confused or ireful when arguing, especially about clothes.
Pearson resumed, "This morning, she didn't change yet. From the breakfast she made, it wasn't hard to know that. She cooked burnt food for me. It was intentional. Till now, I don't understand what ghost hides behind her."
It reminded me of Amanda. She also cooked failed food this morning. However, she modified it to another, which could recover the meal.
Pearson kept talking. He changed from one to another topic. He said that he had a problem; but actually, he looked like having many problems.
I hoped that I could leave him and start working earlier. I surely detested listening to his story because it was not exciting. In addition, I couldn't solve every problem he had.
Ten minutes had passed. This might be a good time to run away from his talk.
"It's eight o'clock." I showed my watch to Pearson.
The supermarket opened at half past seven and closed at five o'clock every day. But, Pearson just allowed me to start working at eight o'clock every Monday to Saturday.
Pearson stopped telling his story. "Oh! Okay. Get ready."
I left him and went to the storeroom. My mind got freshened in a second. It was a relief.
The storeroom was wider but smelled worse. It had a lot of similar goods, shelves, and trolleys. Everything was clearly seen under dim light. Also, they were well arranged.
A red bib apron hung at the end of a trolley. It had "Pearson's Mart" words on it. Its texture was very soft.
I wore the apron, combed my hair with my fingers, and moved some snacks out. They were weightless. I brought and placed them on empty shelves. This task looked easy. However, it wasn't just nibbles. Some of the others were hefty such as melons, pumpkins, and beeves.
A customer came while I was putting price tags on each new stuff. It was a girl and I knew her. She was my old classmate in high school, Jessy Tevellit. She shopped here some while. I never imagined that we could still meet often after graduating.
Nevertheless, I couldn't stand her because I grasped her purpose here. She never changed. Until now, her behavior in front of me had always been the same since high school.
Jessy walked over to me. She never focused on what things she had to buy.
"Hi, Richard!" she greeted with a dreadful voice.
It was a revolting start. I had no idea how long I could last. Hopefully, it would be over as soon as possible.
"Hi," I spoke with a short tone.
I endeavored to ignore Jessy. She was very annoying when she stood around me. Especially, when she talked while I was working.
"You look so busy," said Jessy.
"Yeah. Really busy."
"Can I help you?"
Jessy offered an assist. But, I knew she didn't mean that.
"No. Thanks," I answered.
"Well, do you know where the soda cans are?"
I pointed to the right without moving my eyes. "There."
Jessy turned her head. She looked in the direction I was pointing. Then, she looked back at me and smiled.
"Okay. Thank you, Dear Richard!"
Her intonation was ghastly now. I thought this was done and she would go away. But, my estimation was wrong.
"By the way," Jessy whispered, "got any plan for tonight?"
She regularly asked a question every time we met.
"No," I replied.
"How about dinner?"
"No. Sorry."
From the first, I just talked without looking at Jessy. I didn't comprehend why she still desired to conversate with me.
Jessy continued, "Well. How about–"
"I'm busy right now, okay?" I cut in and looked at her in a direct move.
The atmosphere became silent without more ado. No voice, just gasp.
I focused back on my job. I finished sticking all price tags, took some boxes, turned back to the stockroom, and left her tongue-tied.
"Good luck, then!" she said with high volume.
I wasn't good enough to resist her existence. She was like a whore, never realizing herself when talking or being with some men. That was just a quarter of her. I'd ever seen some worse than just now.
Jessy went to the beverages section. She purchased two cans and exited from here.
That was much better. She usually spent almost half an hour just talking about unnecessary things. It was very sickening.
I took out a box of candies, brought and placed some of them in a jar on the cashier table. It was pleasing to be able to concentrate back on my work.
Pearson watched me. "She really likes you. You're a good match," he mocked.
I snorted. "Stop it."
Pearson always said similar words after Jessy left every time. He enjoyed it, although he never apprehended our chat.
The jar was full. I carried back the remaining candies to the store.
Other customers came every hour. They walked around, took some items, and paid for those. Some of them needed assistance. These created my rushing.
I kept replenishing items, checking supplies, serving buyers, and cleaning some spots. Those were all parts of my occupation. It was a little exhausting.
Nothing disturbed me by chance for today, excluding Jessy. I could take pleasure in my job since she came here twice or thrice every single week.