Chapter 6
Mel’s shift was almost over. They couldn’t wait to get out of here and get over to the youth center. They enjoyed both of their jobs, but today had been one full of cranky people who probably needed more than coffee to adjust their moods.
For most of their shift, Denise had been slumped in a chair in the corner, brooding over something.
When Mel tried to get anything out of her, she’d shut down even more.
Their mom would have pressed, but that would lead to an explosion, and it wasn’t worth it.
Mel was sure Denise would tell them what was going on when she was ready.
Mel nearly groaned as they saw the customer approaching the counter. Again.
Having to deal with Mark Vanderees hadn’t exactly helped Mel’s own mood.
They hoped to leave interactions with him back in high school, and maybe the once every five years class reunion, if Mel decided to go.
After the reception they’d gotten at the first one, they were really thinking of skipping this year’s.
Mark had been the one leading the misgendering pack. Apparently he hadn’t changed since then, but at least when he came in here, he only sneered at their nametag, and the pronouns under it.
“This isn’t what I ordered,” he said before he’d reached the counter.
Mel knew that wasn’t true. He was one of those guys who was very exact in his order. And complained when he felt it took too long to put it together.
“What seems to be the problem?” They tried to keep the smile on their face.
“I just told you the problem,” the man said. “Just like a woman to not listen.”
Mel bristled. Even if it wasn’t for wearing an agender flag pin on their apron and having their pronouns right on their name tag, Mark knew them. Even if he acted like he didn’t. Sometimes customers didn’t pay attention, and Mel tried not to let that get to them.
Sometimes they were just an asshole. Mel knew which category Mark had always fallen into.
“I did hear what you said.” Mel kept the conciliatory tone in their voice, even though they’d wanted to tell Mark exactly what they thought of him.
Now was not the time.. “That still doesn’t tell me exactly what the problem is.
I made you the Colombian roast with two extra shots of espresso, three pumps of caramel, 1/3 cup of oat milk, and two sugars. ”
“You obviously messed up somewhere. You can’t even admit your mistake.”
The mistake was likely made in the ordering, but pointing that out would cause a scene. And probably bring a bad review to the business, and that was the last thing Mel wanted.
“Do you want me to make you a new drink?” It wasn’t what they’d prefer to do. Not with more people lined up behind him. Mel was well-acquainted with how Mark reacted when he didn’t get his own way.
“Have you mess it up again? No, thank you. Get someone who actually knows what they’re doing or give me my money back.”
Mel could see several people watching them, including their sisters. Denise had one hand on the table, looking like she would push herself up and come to Mel’s defense. They didn’t want that, either.
Thankfully, Frank came over. Mel’s boss stood several inches taller than them, and his wide shoulders and hefty body gave the impression of a bear you wouldn’t want to take on.
Didn’t matter if he was really just a teddy bear. Except for when it came to his people.
“You’ll get a refund,” he told Mark, “and nothing else. Not today or any other day. No one talks to my employees that way, especially not the best one I have.”
“If she’s your best, I’ll gladly take my business elsewhere.”
“They are, and yes, please do.”
Mark didn’t wait to get his refund, just turned and shoved past the waiting crowd. Mel looked at Frank. “You didn’t have to do that. Banning people can’t be good for business.”
“It is when they’re trying to get free drinks. Even if you messed up his drink, and trust me, I believe you didn’t, you do not deserve to be treated like that. No one working in a service industry does. I won’t stand for it in my place.”
Mel’s mother wondered why they worked here instead of striving for more, but that was a good part of why. They enjoyed serving customers. Well, most of them. Even the cranky ones at times. Having a boss who would stand behind you, and sometimes in front of you, made it worth it.
Frank glanced over to where their sisters sat. Denise still seemed to be bristling, but at least she’d settled back into her chair. “Why don’t you finish early,” he suggested. “You did say you needed to get over to the center.”
“Are you sure? It’s getting a little busy.” They didn’t want to leave him with all of that.
He scoffed. “I’ve been doing this since you were holding tea parties for your stuffed animals.”
“What makes you think I had tea parties?” Their parents hadn’t allowed that sort of unstructured play time. Who needed to practice using their imagination when they could be using that time to learn something new?
“You like serving people too much for anything else. Now, go on. Trust me, I can handle this.”
They didn’t bother clearing up his misbelief over what their childhood had been like. There hadn’t been stuffed animals or tea parties. There’d been educational books, weekend lessons, and strict routines. Not much time for fun.
Once they finished out their shift, they collected their things and the twins followed them out to their car.
“I can’t believe Mom and Dad won’t let us stay home by ourselves for even a few hours,” Denise said as Mel drove across town to the youth center.
In the rearview mirror, Mel saw Denise still slumped in the backseat, one knee pulled up with her heel resting on the seat. “Because of course we can’t be unsupervised. We’re sixteen, and she won’t even let us get our permits so we can drive. Why can’t she trust us?”
Mel wasn’t sure how to answer. There hadn’t been anyone to supervise Mel when they were a teenager. Their mom left Mel in charge of the twins then. Even though at thirteen, they hadn’t had a clue how to take care of a couple toddlers.
Sometimes they felt at a loss as to what to do. “You got to hang with me at the coffee shop,” Mel said. “Now we’re going to the youth center. There’s plenty you can do there, and I’m sure some other teens will show up to hang with. What could be better than that?”
Denny groaned. “Not having to get up at the butt crack of dawn for one thing. And no one says ‘hang with’ anymore. Get with the times, Mel.”
“I am oh so sorry that I’m out of touch with the youth. What do you call it now?”
Both Sonia and Denny started tossing out terms Mel was sure they’d made up on the spot, but they were both smiling, and that was good enough for Mel. It felt like much too long since they’d seen that.
Maybe this day was at least looking up.
“Are you sure you have everything handled here?” Mel asked Robin, one of their regular volunteers before getting ready to leave the center a few hours later.
“Yes, Mel,” Robin said. “There’s only a couple kids here, and I’ll lock the door when they’re all gone.”
“I know,” Mel said. “I know I can depend on you.” All of the volunteers, really. “Sorry, if I get a little… controlling.”
Robin let out a light laugh. “It’s fine, really. This is your baby. I had trouble letting mine go, too. Even though they always did better than I did with the time apart.”
Mel knew Robin, and the other volunteers were here because they believed in what Mel was doing. Still, if something happened, it would come back on Mel.
Nothing would happen. They were sure of that.
“All right. I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“Absolutely. I can be here first thing, but I’ll have to leave around lunchtime.”
“That works, since I won’t be able to get here until around then. I have the early shift at the coffee shop.”
“Yes, I saw that on the schedule,” Robin said with a gentle smile. “You do so much, Mel. When do you ever take time for yourself?”
“I love everything I do, so why would that be necessary?”
Robin shook her head. Mel saw Denise talking excitedly to the man standing just inside the front doors, Sonia standing quietly beside them. Mel headed over to where the three of them stood.
“Caleb,” they greeted. “I didn’t expect to see you tonight. Aren’t you supposed to be on the road?”
His lips turned up, but the smile looked as tired as the rest of him. “Here I didn’t think you followed our games. We just got back. I thought I’d come by and see if I could help with anything before I headed home.”
He looked like he would crash as soon as he stopped moving. “I’m surprised you didn’t head right there,” Mel said. “Don’t you want to spend this time with your boyfriend?”
“It’s not like we’ve spent the last week apart. He went out with some of the guys. Rhys thought we needed to celebrate not being swept by the Titans.”
“If your skipper would have left him in the game, you would have been able to turn it around,” Denise said.
“Skip had his reasons,” Caleb said.
“Not good ones,” Denise muttered. “He’s still the best catcher you have, and one of the best hitters. It was a mistake to take him out.”
Caleb smiled, but it looked tight. “There’s more to a player than their stats,” he said. “Turner did what he felt best for everyone on the team. It just didn’t mean a win for us this time.”
Mel put a hand on their sister’s shoulder as Denise looked like she might argue some more. “I need to get these two back home,” they said. “Are you going to come tomorrow?”
“Probably after practice,” Caleb said. “I should be able to stop by after a couple of the games, since we’re home this week.”
Mel nodded, and guided the twins out toward their car. Denise really seemed to be obsessing hard about that catcher. It could be harmless. Mel knew that. As intense as her interests could be, they also tended to be fleeting.
Mel should see what they could find about this guy. As soon as they dropped the twins off.
Except when they got to their parents’ house, their mother instantly tore into Mel.
“I expect you to take care of the girls,” she said.
“That means making sure they take care of their responsibilities as well. This house was still a mess when I got here. I worked all day. I didn’t want to come home and have to clean it as well. ”
“I don’t know what you wanted me to do,” Mel said. “I was working. We haven’t even been back here until just now.”
“That’s the problem. You could have brought the girls here to finish their chores.”
“No, Mom.” Mel tried to hold on to their own temper.
Especially when they saw the way Sonia pulled into herself, and how Denise flinched at ‘girls.
How long had that been the case? Hopefully Denise knew she could talk to Mel.
Right now, their mother stood in front of them, with her hands on her hips.
Later. Mel would think about that later.
“I can’t just leave my work,” Mel said. “Even if you don’t think it’s important, it is my job. You asked me to keep the twins with me, which I love to do, but you can’t just decide it’s my responsibility to make them do their chores too. Especially without letting me know.”
“It should be obvious. Someone needs to instill a sense of duty in them.”
Why does it have to be me? Mel wasn’t their parent, no matter what their parents seemed to think, and had thought almost since the twins were born. When Mel wasn’t quite a teenager themself.
“Where are you going?” their mother asked as Mel turned toward the door.
“Home,” they called back. “I’ve worked all day. I didn’t want to come here to a lecture.” They smiled at their siblings. “I’ll see the two of you in the morning.”