CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Bee
As I pulled up to the loading dock of the diner, I saw that Charlie was already standing there waiting for me. "Good morning," she called out, waving.
I grinned. "You doing good today?" I asked her.
She cocked her head. "I should be asking you the same thing," she said with a wicked grin, reaching out to pluck the corner of my shirt.
I looked down. There on my collarbone, blazing out in a bright purple for all the world to see, was a giant hickey. When and how it got there... or which guy had put it there... I had no idea.
I blushed right down to my toes.
"Somebody had fun last night, huh?" Charlie giggled. "Who's the lucky guy?"
Guys, I didn't say.
Instead I only blushed harder. "How about you?" I asked, desperate to change the subject. "How was your night?"
Charlie rolled her eyes. "I'm a single mom with a toddler. Obviously I didn't have as good a night as you did," she said with a laugh. "I'm pretty stoked he didn't puke on me last night, and he only woke up twice, so I'm feeling pretty chipper," she declared. "And even better? Spiro is actually in a good mood this morning!"
"Well that's surprising!" I laughed.
"I know, right?" She elbowed me. "Maybe he got laid? What do you think?"
I wrinkled my nose and she laughed harder. "Maybe I should thank Mrs. Spiro for taking one for the team?" she giggled. Then she glanced over her shoulder in the direction of the restaurant. Distant enraged shouts were suddenly wafting in our direction. "But hey, uh," Charlie said with a tight smile. "Let's unload before his good mood wears off and he starts throwing things again."
"Jesus, I can't believe you have to put up with this," I exhaled, shaking my head.
"It's a living, and I need the money," she sighed. "You do what you gotta do for your kid, you know?"
I had no idea. I was only just starting to figure out how to make my own way in the world. I couldn't imagine having to figure this all out with a kid in tow as well.
I turned and jammed my dolly underneath my prepacked boxes. My movements were not nearly as clumsy as they were the first time I did this.
It seemed I really could take care of my deliveries all by myself.
But it sure was nice to have Charlie's help.
We worked side-by-side for a moment, in perfect teamwork, until suddenly I heard a buzzing sound.
"Is that your phone?" I asked.
Her eyes went wild with panic. "Shit," she called, yanking it from deep in her apron. "It's my mother. Shit. I have to take this." She waved her hands at me. "Cover for me!" she hissed. "If Spiro sees I'm taking a personal call at work, he'll have my ass."
I deftly stepped front of her, blocking the view of the door as she darted around the side my truck. "Mom," I heard her say. "I told you not to call me when I'm at work. Use the restaurant number..."
Then she fell silent. I looked over at her, and saw her face go white. "Where are you?" she asked, sounding desperate. Then she nodded. "Okay," she said. "Okay, I'll try though, but remember you drove me in this morning?" She fell silent again. "I will though," she said. "Just hang on, okay?"
She hung up her phone, and sagged against my truck. "Shit," she breathed.
"Are you okay?" I ventured.
She shook her head, her blonde curls bouncing wildly around her face. She blinked rapidly then wiped her eyes savagely with the heel of her hand. "Fuck," she hissed, banging her head on the side of my truck.
"Hey, I can help," I told her. I had no idea how, but suddenly I knew I needed to.
She shook her head. "No, I don't think you can," she said bitterly. "My mom has Malcolm at the town park, you know that playground that just opened? And he fell."
"Oh God, is it bad?" I asked.
"I don't know," Charlie said, shaking her head. "My mom is not good in emergencies. She was pretty much hysterical." She pressed her the heel of her hand to her forehead. "I need to get over there."
"Why doesn't she just call an ambulance?" I asked.
She gave me a withering stare. "I don't have the money for an ambulance ride," she said shortly. "I'd drive him myself, but my car's on the fritz. My mom drove me in this morning."
Suddenly it all clicked into place. "I'll take you," I said eagerly. "The town park? That's right near the waterfront where my store is."
Charlie darted a look over her shoulder. "I'm not... I can't leave..."
Then her eyes suddenly flashed angrily. "I have to leave don't I?" she asked the air. "My little boy..." And then with a sudden straightening of her shoulders, she yanked open the passenger side door and hopped into my truck.
I shelved the dolly back into the back of the truck, grabbed my keys, and got ready to help my friend.