Page 32 of Breaking the Limits

I headed to work after leaving Kenndrix on campus. The entire atmosphere was down as I entered. Usually, Wild Wild Wes’ is full of music and energy but today something was wrong. No one has a real smile on their face and the energy has seemed to have left the building. Jessica is coming out of the break room as I was entering. She gives me halfhearted smile. “Jess, what’s wrong?”

“You haven’t heard?” Jess asks. I shake my head no. “Wild Wild Wes’ is restructuring. They’ve been struggling to make a profit for the last two years apparently so now the company is going to restructure.”

I got a sinking feeling in my stomach that I already knew the answer to this question but I ask it anyways. “What does that mean…exactly?”

A sad look appears in Jess’ eyes. “It means that over half of us are going to be without a job. The menu and hours will probably change. They have to cut in order to try and save what’s left of the company. They have to try and figure out a way to make more money.”

“Oh no,” I whisper. Jess nods her head sadly and pats me on the shoulder as she passes by. I clock in for work then head out to the floor. I’m half way through my shift when Mrs. Lawrence, the manager, calls me into the office.

Mrs. Lawrence is a in her mid-thirties with mousy brown hair and wire rim glasses. She is pretty in a not so obvious way. Mrs. Lawrence motions for me to take a seat in front of her desk. Once I’m seated, she meets my eyes. I see the apology in them before she even speaks. “I’m sure you’ve already heard about the company and the struggles. I’m trying to pull everyone into my office to go over what will happen over the next few months. Unfortunately, you are one of the ones that will be laid off. I’mso sorry for this but we can only keep half of the current staff. I’ll be more than happy to give you an outstanding recommendation anywhere that you apply. You’ve been a fantastic worker and the customers have loved you. I really hate to lose you and I wish you all the best.”

I nod and force my smile onto my face. “It’s okay Mrs. Lawrence. I understand. I’ve had a wonderful time working with all of you. I will really miss this place and thank you for the recommendation. I appreciate that.”

Mrs. Lawrence reaches forward and pats my clasped hands that are resting on her desk. “Thank you, Kynlee. I’m really going to miss seeing you around here. Hopefully, I’ll be seeing you all over town and TV someday.”

“I hope,” I tell her, “So, do I work today?”

“Yes, you’ll work out this schedule,” she tells me.

****

After work I decide to go out with a few of my coworkers. My life feels like it’s caught up in a tornado that is never ending. I have basically lost both of my jobs in one day. A part of me is devastated. I haven’t even bothered to check in with Ace. I just feel like I need some kind of release.

My coworkers and me, Jess included go out to a few bars and clubs. Our fourth stop is JamesTown, at this point we are all pretty loaded. I see Farrah behind the bar as soon as we enter. I call out to her as we make our way to the bar. She waves, but I see her eyes narrow as she studies me.

Carmen, one of the other girls from work that had come with us, goes to get drinks. The rest of us hit the dance floor. “Let’s go to the beach!” Carmen says, jumping up and down after a few dances. As we are heading out, I start to really feel the effects of all the drinks I’ve had. I’m a little wobbly and somehow manage to ignore my name being called from behind. I’m just about tostep off the curb when I hear, “Kynlee!” I go to turn around only to lose my balance and fall down, landing in the street.

My head is spinning around and my ankle has sharp pains. I feel the wetness running down my leg while the gravel bites into the skin of my hands. I’m trying to get up when the blinding lights come around the corner. I try to shield my eyes, but I’m not quick enough. The lights leave colorful spots in front of me.

Screaming breaks out around me as I manage to get to my hands and knees when I feel a set of arms come around me. They yank me up and pull me back to the safety of the sidewalk-- just in time. The car comes speeding by seconds later. My head falls back to rest against a chest, looking up I see Ace.

How did Ace know I was here? I see fear and anger in his eyes. I reach up and run my fingernails up and down the back of his neck when I realize I’m just smearing blood on him. “Ace…” I say, trying to sound sexy but it just comes out sounding slurred.

His hand closes around mine to stop my movement. “Don’t.” I make a pouty face and I see him shake his head. Ace turns around and looks at someone. “Do me a favor make sure they all get home safely.”

“Sure thing,” I hear Bowie answer followed by, “Hello ladies.”

Ace takes my hand and tries to turn me around. Once I’m facing him, I try to wrap my hands around his neck. “Let’s dance,” I say as I start to sway back and forth.

“Stop. We’re going home.”

I cross my arms over my chest and stomp my foot. “No! I want to stay. I want to dance,” I say, as I try to start dance but stop when the pain returns to my ankle.

Ace glares at me, “We’re going home.”

“You can’t make me!” I holler at him, and I watch as he smirks at me which only infuriates me more. I turn around to walk away but my ankle is killing me so I end up nearly fallingagain. Ace’s arms come around my waist and swing me over his shoulder while he mumbles a string of curses.

****

Ace

When Farrah had told me that Kynlee was at JamesTown more than a little tipsy I didn’t believe her at first. Even as she spoke, I had wondered through the apartment in search of her. When I couldn’t find her, I finally let myself believe her. It made no sense though. Kynlee wasn’t much of a drinker and I couldn’t remember ever seeing her drink more than one drink. So why was she drinking like this tonight?

Kynlee and the group of girls from work that she was with are easy to spot when I pull into the parking lot. All of them re walking like brand new baby deer. Farrah was right they had definitely been drinking; and a little too much from the look of it. I throw my car into park and hop out, hollering out her name but she keeps walking, completely oblivious to what is going on around her. I let out a string of curses in frustration. Then the first flare of anger courses through me. How could she be so careless with her own life? Anything could happen to her in this state of mind. It’s absolutely uncalled for.

She goes to step off the curb and I holler her name with everything I have in me. This street is far too busy for a bunch of drunken girls to be stumbling around on. Where the hell do they think they are going anyways? Finally, I get her attention as she goes to turn around I see her wobble and then she’s down before I can even take a step towards her. Great! Just great! I look up towards the sky trying to find just an inch of calm in me when I see the head lights come into view.

In an instant I’m running toward Kynlee but I still don’t know if I’ll get to her in time. She’s still in the road and the car apparently doesn’t see her because they aren’t slowing down. Irun harder than I’ve ever ran before. Kynlee manages to get to her hands and knees. I reach down and wrap my arms around her waist and pull her back onto the sidewalk.

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