Bobby

My alarm goes off, and I’m jolted awake from my dream. It doesn't bother me because I forget what the dream is about the minute I wake up. “Bobby, shut off the alarm!” He stares at me with his beady eyes. “Okay, I’ll do it. You know it'd be nice if you help around more.” Again, there was no answer. Sigh. What do I expect? I love him, but he’s just a teddy bear. So I grab my cell and shut off my alarm. I get off my bed and make my way to the closet. My PJs are just a SpongeBob tank top, white bikini undies, and fluffy slippers. Wearing what I want is what I like about living alone. I have an hour to get ready, so I prepare my uniform: a blue polo and black pants. Afterward, I go shower. I use my glitter vanilla body wash and a lavender baby shampoo for my hair… it's soothing and leaves my hair soft. The clock leaves me 30 minutes until work time. So I grab a yogurt and oj. I stuff Bobby into my backpack, and I'm out the door.

I put my air pods in and skip along the sidewalk, and there are construction workers, business people, and moms with kids. They look at me perplexed, and I realize I'm skipping. I stop correcting my posture and start walking. I finally arrive at the subway, and I'm right on time. Bye Bye Bye by Nsync plays in my ears, and I smile. The train stops at my destination, and I get off. It's a block away to walk to the grocery store. When I finally walk in, it's hectic. The crowd freaks me out, and I run past Stan. I lock myself in the bathroom, take Bobby out, and snuggle him. It takes a little bit, but I eventually calm down. A couple of ladies are waiting for the bathroom when I come out, so I apologize. I run to the locker room and stuff my backpack in a locker. I'm running late, so I grab my till from the office and walk towards the registers. “Annette registers 5,” Stan says with his arms crossed in front of his chest.

Stan doesn't like me, and I can tell he wants to fire me, but he doesn't in the account of my mom. His mom and my mom are best friends. We aren't friends. He's much older, and he thinks he's better than others. I annoy him because I don't talk to the customers, and my till is either over or under at the end of the day. It's hard to imagine I've been working here for a year.

I arrange my register and turn my light on. Immediately, I get a long line. But that's okay. I prefer it that way. Customers want to pay and leave. There are just those few that attempt to speak with me. My replies are usually yes or no; they get the hint and leave me alone. I'm scanning items and keeping my head down. I grab a gallon of milk, which slips out of my hand—spilling out over the belt and on myself. From the corner of my eye, I see Stan marching towards me with a red face. For the first time, I looked up and looked at the customer. He’s the most handsome man I've ever met. His eyes are black like night, and he has brown tousled hair and tattoos on his neck and hands. He’s wearing black pants and a white shirt rolled up, showing his arm tattoos. I snap out of it when I hear Stan shouting at me. “Are you dense! How can you not do something simple like ring up milk? That's it. I can't tolerate you! Get out and never come back.” He looks like steam is going to come out of his ears.

“Whoa, hold on, there's no reason to fire her or shout at her.” the man says

“It's okay, sir. She's been in trouble from the beginning, and this is the last straw.” Stan said.

“It's okay, Mister. I was going to quit anyway.” I tell the handsome man. It's a half-truth. I wasn't planning on quitting until Stan started chewing me out in front of everyone.

I throw my apron on the floor, and tears start to well up in my eyes. I'm in desperate need of Bobby. I make my way to the locker room, take my backpack, and run out of the grocery store. There's a little park across the street, so I cross it and go on a swing. I take Bobby out and snuggle him as I sob. I feel someone's hand on my shoulder, and I jump off the swing. It's the handsome man from the grocery store.

“What do you want?” I snap.

“I saw you crying and wanted to see if I could help. Who do you have there, little one?” he says.

“Ehm, I'm fine, and this is Bobby.” I feel comfortable showing him, Bobby. When he says little one, a light blush tints my cheeks.

“You’re too pretty to be crying. Do you need a hug?”

I don't even think twice and let him embrace me. I sob Into his shirt. He holds me and doesn't say anything. I stop crying for what seems like forever. His shirt is a mess, and I feel terrible. He looks at me knowingly. “Don't worry, I have a hundred like this at home.”

“Well, thank you, mister, for letting me cry on your shoulder, but I have to go home and call my mom.”

“As long as you're okay…. Do you want a ride?”

“No, thank you. I can catch the train.”

“Okay, whatever you say. Here’s my card. Maybe I can help you find a new job.”

It's a smooth black card with his name, Maddox, and his phone number, 556-433-7755. Fancy stuff, I think to myself. I nod.

“I need to hear words, little one,” he says

I blush and say, “Yes, I will.”

We go opposite ways, and I start to think, “Should I call him?”