It's been six weeks since Godson's dinner and my encounter with Griffin. I do my best to focus on my studies since graduation is approaching soon.
I spend time with Kate as much as I could we made college plans; she wants to pursue her path of being a teacher and I made a plan to apply for a job to pay my way through college. Mr. Godson offers to pay my tuition, but I refuse I don't want to be in debt to them more than we already are.
I apply at a local restaurant for a server position. It's a nice restaurant with a warm and friendly atmosphere called The Chef, I happened to walk by and saw their hiring sign up front.
I walked in and asked if they were still hiring, the girl up front was very friendly, and she told me she will check with the owner and be right back with me. I sit in the waiting area and look around; they have a bar further inside the restaurant that can seat about 20 people.
"Hey, do you want a drink while you wait?" I turn and see a boy about my age standing at the host station smiling at me
"No, thank you." I decline politely, he doesn't move, he continues to stand there and smile at me.
The girl returns and pushes the boy out of the station " Get out of here, Reid. You're creeping her out." He presses a hand against his chest
"Me? Creepy? Look at this smile, Sarah. Have I ever creep anyone out with this all-American boy smile?" Sarah rolled her eyes at him and shoo him away with her hand
"I'm sorry about him. Mrs. Kale wants to talk to you."
Sarah takes me to the dining hall in the very back of the restaurant I sit at one of the tables and wait, a few moments later a friendly looking older woman walks in.
She shakes my hand " Hi my name is Kim Kale, what position are you interested in applying for? " I'm slightly nervous this is my first job interview
"Hi Mrs. Kale, my name is Elena. I happen to walk by and saw your sign outside. I'm interested in applying for the server position if it hasn't been filled yet." I answer
"Do you have any serving experience?" Mrs.Kale asks
"I don't, I'm currently a student. But I'm a fast learner, a diligent worker and when needed, I'm there." She looks at me with a nod and a smile
"We do in-house training, we are open from 11:30 am- 9:30 pm, and on weekends we stay open an hour later. When can you start?" She asks
"I can start next week" I smile.
I walked out of the restaurant with a smile plaster on my face happy to know I got something started.
Things are starting to look up. I can earn my own money and save up.
Oh, the possibilities!
Feeling a light mood, I decided to go visit my parents I'm about to get out of the taxi when I see my brother get out of the house and walk down the street.
I decide to stay in the taxi a little longer and watch him. He walks to the end of the street and then turns to where I can't see him any longer, so I tell the taxi driver to tail him with don't make it obvious instruction.
" Mam, are we spying on him?" The driver asks with a little southern drawl
"Yes" I reply
He looks back at me from his rearview mirror with a sudden flair to his eyes.
"Say no more." The taxi driver replies he grabs his hat that was placed on the passenger seat, put it on his head checks himself over in the mirror before sliding his finger across the rim of his hat with a satisfied look on his face like he's getting ready for a spy mission.
"By the way, I'm Kevin. Jones Kevin." The driver introduces himself
I make eye contact with him from the backseat "I'm Elena-"
"Elena Melvic." Might as well throw in my whole name as he did
We continue tailing in silence, my brother continues walking for about ten more minutes before stopping at a stop sign and standing there.
"I see a lot of criminal shows in my times. Don't be fooled by their good looks and clean persona, I saw a lot of bad apples in my times, and you never see them coming! It's always the innocent looking one." The taxi driver said nodding to himself in agreement with himself
"That's my brother." I response
His back stiffens, and he's quiet for a moment before turning in his seat and facing me "Mam, what are we doing spying on your brother? That young man needs some privacy. Especially from his sister. Back in my day, if my sister spies on me like you, there'll be a whole lot of awkward family conversations. We, boys, need some space. You best leave that young man alone and let him figure himself out." Jones Kevin lectures me
"We're going through a lot as a family right now. I just want to make sure he's not doing anything that'll get himself hurt." I look down at my hands on my lap opening up our story to this complete stranger
The Jones Kevin quiet for a moment before adding, " I'm sorry to hear that, young lady. You both are young, it's good to look out for one another. Have you tried talking it out with him?"
"I did, he wouldn't open up to me" I responded, sadness in my tone
"I have been his age once, we might act like we're not listening, but we listen. Especially to our loved ones. Give him time and keep trying" Jones Kevin gives me life advice
A black SUV pulls up to the stop sign.
It looks identical to the expensive black SUV I saw the other night.
Jones Kevin and I turn to each other "Does that SUV looks like it belongs to your parents or friends you know of?" He asks
I shake my head slowly keeping my eyes on the SUV, my brother climbs into the back seat and the car drives off.
"That's what I thought. That SUV cost more than most of the houses here." Jones Kevin notes
"Is your seatbelt on, kid?" He asks straightening his hat like it wasn't straight before
I nod from the backseat, and his eyes narrow into a slant
"Good." Jones Kevin slams on his gas and off we go.
YOU ARE READING
Griffin
RomanceElena's life had been peaceful, until the day she was forced to join the Godson family to pay off a debt that had been owed for generations before hers. To complicate things, Elena had captured the unwanted attention of the youngest son of the Godso...
