Page 5 of Dwayne
We walk through the kitchen. Dwayne says goodbye to everyone and gives instructions and answers about a million questions all within the space of about thirty seconds. It really is amazing watching him in action. He’s so sure of himself. So in control. Everyone looks up to him.
I wonder whether going for beers with his staff is normal. And is it a good idea for me to get buzzed in front of him.
I’ve been thinking about him non-stop ever since the first time I met him. He’s even made a few guest appearances in my dreams.
But it’s crazy to think a man like him would be interested in a girl like me.
He’s got it all.
Why the heck would he ever want a chubby waitress half his age who’s still living at home with her alcoholic father?
Shit…
I look down at my phone as we’re walking through the parking lot. My phone beeped a while ago and I didn't have time to look at it.
“Is there a problem?” Dwayne asks.
I quickly scan through the messages from my dad. It’s the usual stuff. Blaming me for the lack of beers and food and cigarettes and everything that's wrong with his life.
He’s been getting worse, recently. Ever since I got this job. He sees it as his ticket to get even more wasted than usual.
“No.” I turn my phone off and put it in my bag. He can go to hell. For once in my life, I'm going to let my hair down and have a good time. “It’s nothing,” I say. “Just one of those pesky ad messages trying to sell me something.”
“You should block the number,” Dwayne says, sliding down into his low to the ground, jet black sports car.
“Yeah.” I get in beside him. His arm grazes against me as he puts the car in reverse. “That’s not a bad idea,” I say. “I might just do that.”
4
Dwayne
I take a sip of beer.It’s not my first. My head's feeling a little light. A little giddy. Rhonda’s playing with the stem of her wine glass and looking into the distance.
She’s just finished telling me about her father.
“It’s okay,” I say, “it’s not your fault.”
“I know it’s not my fault,” she says. “I just can’t believe I told you that. I haven’t told anyone. Not even my friends at school.”
“It’s a lot to carry,” I say, “, especially for someone so young.”
I put my hand on top of hers and squeeze it gently. It’s the first time I’ve touched her. An electric jolt shoots from my fingers to my groin. I fight the urge to do more. She’s opening up to me. She’s vulnerable. It would be wrong to take advantage of her.
She stares at our hands. “You don’t think… any less of me? Now that you know my secret?”
“Of course not.”
A single tear runs down her cheek. At first, it runs slowly across her skin, and then it tumbles down her face and drips onto her lap.
“You’re making the most of a bad situation. It’s all that anyone can do. And the way your dad is, it’s not your fault. That’s on him. From the sounds of it, you’ve done everything you can to help him. To be there for him. If he’s not grateful, then he’s an idiot.”
She giggles. “He is an idiot!”
“You’re a good person, Rhonda. You’ve got a big heart. Sometimes people like you get taken advantage of. Because you’re too generous. Too kind. You always see the best in people and want to help. But maybe, sometimes, the best way to help is to let them sort out their own shit.”
“I don’t know if can do that,” she says, more tears running down her face. “I’d never forgive myself if something happened to him. He’s my dad. I love him. I just wish…”
“It’s ok.”
