This Regret

Zoe throws her half-eaten roll at me and jumps off the table landing on her feet in front of me. “You fell for that crap?” She laughs as if it’s the funniest thing she’s ever heard. “If he had his car keys to get here, then don’t you think his house keys are on the same ring? Duh!” She slaps my forehead and tilts her head, making fun of me.

Zoe does have a valid point. Even though she has issues with reading and writing, she is quite observant for a fourteen-year-old and a lot smarter than people think.

I shove my roll into my mouth while I chew things over. “It doesn’t really matter.” I place the rest of my roll down onto the granite countertop and walk over to the fridge. “It’s my business and not yours. You’re too young to worry about what Kade was doing in my bed. You need to worry about nail polish and boy bands.”

Zoe watches me as I start pulling out the eggs, bacon and bagels. “Screw boy bands,” she huffs. “You told me before that Kade only sticks around because he used to be friends with Adric and-“

I put my hand up to stop her. “Don’t even say it, Zoe.”

“But, it’s true. Wouldn’t it be weird to date him? They were practically best friends from what you’ve told me.”

I take a deep breath and close my eyes. I still don’t like talking about the past and I especially don’t want to think about the point Zoe is making. It’s not as if Kade and I are even seeing each other.

“We’re not dating.” I pause to give her a forced smile. “There is nothing wrong with being close friends. Now go watch T.V or something and leave me alone.” I shoo her away with my hand. “Go!”

She rolls her eyes and reaches under the counter for a skillet. I jump as she slams it down onto the stove and turns back around to face me. “Whatever. Isn’t he too old anyway? Adric was at least five years older than you were, so I’m guessing his friends are too. That’s weird. That makes him almost thirty. That’s old and creepy. His balls are probably-.”

“Zoe!” I look away from pulling the bacon apart and stare at the back of her unruly, red curls. Sometimes she makes me just want to knock her upside the head. Hell, I even dream about it sometimes. It sucks having to be the mature one.

“Kade is only two years older than I am. That was his brother that was . . .” I take a deep breath, pushing the painful memory from my mind. “Never mind. Let’s just make it through breakfast without choking each other and discussing Kade’s balls,” I say sternly.

“Well, whatever. He’s still a jerk,” she says, getting in the last word. She always has to get in the last word. If she doesn’t, then I am pretty sure the world will end and crumble at all of our feet. What a shame that would be.

“What time is mom coming again?”

She shrugs her shoulders over dramatically and pulls open the shades letting the bright early sun in. “Whenever she feels like it. I don’t really care as long as I don’t have to listen to her and dad fight all day. It’s been getting worse and I’m losing my sanity.”

I can’t tell . . .

* * *

I arrive at Spinner’s Bar and Grill just five minutes before my shift starts. My mother was late as usual with picking up Zoe, and I almost took out a car, trying to make it on time.

Dale, the owner, is waiting for me as soon as I open the door and walk inside. His eyes look heavy and his dark hair is standing up in all directions, as if he’s been pulling on it all morning and I almost have to stop myself from laughing.

I look around the big, empty bar and notice none of the signs are lit up and he didn’t even bother with plugging in the dartboards.

“Looks like somebody’s had another rough day.”

He tosses me a towel and looks at me with wide, crazy eyes. “What took you so long? I almost thought you weren’t going to show up.”

I walk behind the bar as Dale holds the waist high door open for me. My gaze sets on a huge mess of empty beer bottles and glasses that scatter all across the bar top. “I had Zoe. I got here as soon as I could.” I reach for the trashcan and pull it along with me as I start throwing the empty bottles in the trash, each one clunking together causing Dale to jump and blink as he watches me. “What happened here? Did you get bored and throw a party with yourself? This place is a mess.”

Dale throws his head back and grunts. “Ha! I wish. Trust me, I could use a few drinks. Saline didn’t show up for work, again. That damn . . . I won’t even finish that sentence.” He scratches his head and punches something into the register. “There was a lunch rush and I was the only one here. I tried calling Saline, Kade and Jen, but no one would answer their damn phones. What the hell is the point of cell phones nowadays, if no one knows how to answer the damn things? They’re a waste of money if you ask me.”

I toss the last beer bottle into the trashcan and push it back into its original spot. “Why didn’t you call me?”

“I almost did, but I kind of figured you’d be watching your sister. It’s become pretty routine for you over the last few weeks.” He looks up with desperation in his eyes and grips the bar top. “Please tell me Kade is coming in tonight. We have a baseball team coming in for dinner around six thirty. I can’t have him messing things up”

My stomach knots up at the thought of Kade. “I don’t see any reason why he wouldn’t show up.” I offer a weak smile, trying to keep my nerves together. “Relax, Dale.”

He snorts and shakes his head in shame. “That boy always has some crap going on. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but he’s been leaving at random times and leaving Jen and Saline to work by themselves. That crap has to stop or he’ll be gone. I don’t care if he’s my son.” He sits down onto a barstool and points a finger at me. “You’re management now. You need to start putting your foot down. We’re going to have to start looking for more staff soon. I’m not joking either. I’m fed up with their games.”

I hate whenever he goes on his stupid rampages. He used to be such a nice guy, but that changed about eight years ago and now he’s just uptight and angry. I guess many people’s lives changed eight years ago, after . . . that day.

“Okay, Dale. I’ll have a talk with the staff tomorrow night. I’ll set up a meeting and let them all know they have to show up or else they can hit the road.” I toss my towel at Dale and smile. “Now go home. I can handle it from here.”