Not the Same

What's Wrong?

Cat’s POV

            When I woke up this morning, Joey was already gone. Joey is known for getting up early, but this early was ridiculous. I look around and see that Ricky and Kian were still passed out on the couch. I wonder if Ricky has thought about anything since Connor left. After he left, Ricky has been in a depressed mood. I quickly took a shower and got ready for work. Afterwards, I got into my car and headed to work. I can’t wait for tomorrow, there’s supposed to be a big celebration of being in business for ten years. I wonder if that’s why Joey isn’t here.

            I pull into the parking lot and head inside. I walk inside to see that Joey was nowhere to be seen. I walk over to my co-worker, Luke and asked him where Joey was at. He told me he was in the back unloading the truck. I walk to the back and see Joey slowly carrying boxes of food off a huge truck. His face looked extremely sad and I couldn’t help but wonder why. I walk over and start helping him with the cargo. “Hey, Joey,” I say with a smile.

            “Hey, Cat,” Joey says gloomily, not meeting my eyes, but instead keeping them fixed on the food or the ground.

            “Joey, what’s wrong,” I ask.

            “Nothing’s wrong,” Joey says trying and failing to sound happy.

            “Joey,” I say.

            “Cat, just…just leave me alone,” Joey says with a tear in his eye. “I’d rather not talk about it. Especially not here of all places.”

            “Okay, Joey I…” I begin to say, but stop when Joey drops the last box and walks off without a word.

            What has gotten into him? Why is he so sad? Is it because of Connor? No, he’s already come to terms with that. But….but what could be bothering him. I mean, he should be happy. We’re still alive after the whole escapade in North Carolina, we’re getting a raise tomorrow as a way of celebrating our ten years of being in business. Why?

            As the day went by Joey slowly walked around the restaurant, dragging his feet behind himself while he took people’s orders. He tried to keep a smile, but with each smile, the duration of it staying on his face decreased. I say Luke and other waiters talking to Joey, but he would only give them one word responses or grunts. I walked into the kitchen to tell the chef something, but when I came out, I couldn’t see him anywhere. I walk over to Luke and ask, “Hey Luke?”

            “Hey Cat,” he says. “What’s up?”

            “Where’s Joey,” I ask concerned.

            “Oh, he said he wasn’t feeling well. So, the boss let him leave early,” Luke said.

            “Oh,” I say feeling even more worried.