Charlie:I wish I was.
Chapter 4
Charlie
Kara doesn’t send me anymore messages. Knowing her, she is probably now spreading that bit of information around the office. Good. Brad deserves to look like the scumbag he is. I am literally shaking that is how infuriated I am.
Using my anger as fuel, I make quick work of unpacking my car. I more or less toss everything into my childhood bedroom, which is still decorated from my brief emo phase that I had in my senior year of high school. Pitch black walls and posters from bands that I definitely still listen to when I’m in my feels. My plan is to sleep in my parent’s bed instead. It’s bigger, definitely comfier, and they aren’t here to stop me. But rather than trying to cram all my clothes into my mom's dresser, I’ll just use my own. Like a walk-in closet. There’s gotta be some perks to moving home.
Once I’ve done that, my growling stomach tells me it’s time to eat before I get hangry. So, I order myself a pizza and change into some comfy clothes. I haven’t had pizza from Tony’s in a long time, so I am actually a little excited to try it again. I hope they haven’t changed the recipe.
I’m looking forward to seeing Tony again too. He’s like everyone’s favourite uncle. When I was in school, he used to let me spread out my textbooks over one of his tables and I would get a lot of studying done in his restaurant. He never kicked me out. Even if I didn’t order anything or it got busy. I hope he’sthere tonight.
I give my phone one more quick check before I get into my car and see a text from Brad.
Brad:I’m at your apartment. Where are you?
That’s it? 4 days of silence and he just wants to know where I am? There is no way he doesn’t know that I was fired. And it took him four days to check in? And the fact that he’s not even responding to any of my previous messages is absolutely infuriating. With a huff, I chuck my phone into the center console of my car before and get in.
The drive to Tony’s is a quick one, but I’m thrown off by the now-renovated skating rink beside it. Last time I was here, the whole place was boarded up. Not that you really needed a skating rink in northern rural Canada – it gets cold enough up here that the lakes freeze over by mid-November and its way more fun to skate outside anyways. But I guess it was nice during the warmer school months to be able to go for a field trip.
When I park, I notice there is a help wanted sign in the window. While I’m sure my mom would send me money so that I can, you know, eat and live up here I would rather not take any more handouts than I have to. I’ll go there tomorrow and see what’s up. I don’t think the old owners are around anymore and I can’t recall my mom ever telling me who bought the place but hopefully it’s not one of the cranky old guys in town. There’s not going to be a lot of options for work around here, but worst-case scenario I could probably get a part time gig at Tommie’s. They are literally always hiring. Probably because it sucks so bad to work there and no matter what you do, you can’t escape the smell of burnt coffee and stale doughnuts. But a paycheque is a paycheque.
And when I really think about it, having even a part-time job is probably a good idea so that I could keep myself busy. I’m painfully aware of the consequences of spending too much time with myself and I don’t want to go down that dark, swirly rabbithole again.
The bell of the door of Tony’s jingles pleasantly when I enter, and I am greeted by an enthusiastic, “Charlie! Is that you? It’s been ages sweetie!” Tony, the owner and pizza master is standing by the counter beaming at me.
“Hey Tony! Long time no see!” I answer in greeting.
“I was wondering if this was our Charlie coming back home when I saw the order. Are you in town for a visit? Or are you coming home to stay?” His eyes are hopeful.
“Well, I’m here for the winter at least. Mom and dad are in Mexico, so I am minding their house for them while they are away.”
“But what about the fancy big city job?” Tony asks.
Hmm ... obviously can’t tell him the full truth. I also don’t want to. Tony has been one of my biggest supporters in life, other than my parents. I settle with telling him “It just didn’t work out.”
Tony nods, seeming to understand my desire to not go into details. He hands me my pizza, but when I go to pay, he waves my hand away. “No no, this one is on the house. A welcome home pizza for you.”
He offers me a huge grin and I grin back, thanking him. “I better get this home. Your pizza tastes great, even cold, but I like it best when it’s still hot.”
Tony laughs, and I start to walk out, then quickly spin around. “Actually, could I ask you a question?” Tony quirks his eyebrows at me, and I continue. “Do you know who bought and renovated the skating rink?”
“His name is Max. I think you may have gone to school with him, he’s not that much older than you.”
Max ... I don’t know a Max. Well, at least he’s not a cranky old guy, I guess.
Chapter 5
Max
An unreasonably gorgeous, curvy girl with hair the colour of warm, melted chocolate is walking into my ice rink. I don’t think I’ve seen her around before. Hopefully she wants a lesson, that could be fun. She’s not dressed for the ice rink though. She’s not really dressed for winter weather either. It’s a milder day, so she can get away with those kinds of clothes today, but we’re due for a cold snap and if that’s how she dresses all the time she’s in for a rude awakening. I’m weirdly annoyed at the idea of this beautiful stranger being cold.
Who is she?
As if she heard me, she comes in and marches right up to where I am sitting at the rentals desk. Her cheeks are flushed from the brisk air outside and her hazel eyes sparkle with purpose.
“Hi, I'm Charlie! Would it be possible to speak to the manager please? Or Max?” She smiles, but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes. Something is clearly bothering her. Oh god I hope she isn’t a Karen.
