“Just because he works behind a desk, doesn’t mean he doesn’t work hard,” Emerson adds.
“I didn’t say he didn’t work hard, I just said his job is easier than mine.”
“So you’re insinuating that if we don’t lift boxes, our jobs are easier?” she asks.
“Yeah, that’s what I’m saying. My work is all physical.”
“And no brain, obviously,” Emerson adds with a chuckle.
“I fucking think all the time. I have to know where the packages are going and scan barcodes.”
I turn in my seat to look at them. Ernesto is still smiling. I don’t think he has a clue what’s going on around him.
“Oooh, that sounds tough.” Emerson rolls her eyes.
“I’m actually up for a manager job.”
“Then you can have an easy job, huh?”
“Hey! Alright, everyone calm down. I think we can all agree that we all work hard and leave it at that.” Finn is such the voice of reason.
It’s quiet for a few minutes and then Emerson speaks. “You know those little golf carts down by the sets? I drive those. All day, every day. Back and forth.”
“That’s pretty cool. Have you met a lot of celebrities?” Finn asks.
“Yeah. A ton. I could tell you some stories. Some of them ignore me like I’m their servant and other people chat it up. I have to say, one of the nicest people I’ve ever met is Tom Hanks. He’s a great guy!”
“That’s awesome, Em,” Finn adds. “I’d love to meet him someday.”
“Did you just call me Em?” she questions.
Oh boy, here we go with Finn’s name switches.
“I did. Emerson is a mouthful.”
She laughs. “That’s what my wife calls me. She says the same thing. She says I’m a mouthful in a lot of ways.”
“Wait, what?” Kel asks. “Your wife? Are you a lesbo now?”
I see Finn visibly sigh. I’m staying out of this conversation. I think I’ve said way too much today.
“Dude. I’m a girl and I’m married to a girl. Youaresmart. Now I see why they picked up on your management potential down there in shipping. You must really wow them every day with your powers of inference.”
“What’s inference?” Kel asks. “I’m sure I must have it if it’s a good thing.”
“Oh my God.” Emerson folds her arms and stares out the window.
“What?” Kel asks.
It’s quiet for a few seconds. My head is starting to pound. Finn reaches over and squeezes my hand. I pull away, nervously. I hope he doesn’t think there’s something between us just because we swapped spit. It didn’t mean anything. He faces forward and places both hands back on the wheel.
“Have you been friends for long?” Finn asks, glancing up in the rearview mirror.
“Who?” Emerson asks. “Me and ding-dong over here?”
“Um… you and Kel,” Finn restates.
She sighs heavily before she speaks and I turn briefly to see Kel smirk. “We actually went to the same high school, but barely knew each other. I didn’t know he worked here until tonight. I was walking from table to table, asking if people lived before Huntington Beach and needed a ride home. He shot up out of his chair and here we are.”
