chapter 2: getting comfortable

It’d already been a couple weeks since Amber started at Dairy King. She wasn’t sad about being there any more. If anything, she was glad. She even worked on her days off. Work was so close and easy, she mine as well. She had only worked at her internship for a couple months, but her time there was stressful. She was always busy, and she always felt like she was playing keep up. At this place, she got to do whatever she wanted.

She met a few of the other employees, but most of the time she was on shift with Jeremy and Stan. Sarah kept to herself mostly, leaving the three of them to do whatever they pleased. Business was slow, so they barely had any worries. Stan would make food during lunch and dinner. People would come and it’d be ready, but most of the food was thrown out. Stan would always sneak tenders that he made fresh before setting them up to be served.

“You’re eating that with ice cream?” Amber asked perplexed.

Stan had made himself a cone as well. Sarah barely ever came out, and when she did, she didn’t seem to care.

“I mean, saves money on buying food.”

“I guess; just a weird combo.”

“Free is the best combo” He smiled.

“True!” She giggled.

She took a tender and nibbled on it. She had only ever had their milkshakes and ice cream before, but their hot food was pretty good too! She nibbled away at it until business started coming in. It was easy to handle, and they got back to goofing off. Stan kept up with his usual antics, Jeremy stayed glued to his phone, and Sarah was doing whatever it was she did in her office.

“Must be nice being so close to work!” Stan said as he cooked up some food.

“Yea, saves a ton on gas that’s for sure!”

“What do you do in your free time? I’ve heard you’ve been coming in on your days off too.”

It was true. She was bored at home, and she needed the money, so she’d walk in and pick up extra hours whenever. Sarah was too nice to say no, and the other manager… she couldn’t remember his name, didn’t really care either.

“Yea, this place is easy work, so get paid while I can, right?” She said. “I…” She stopped. What DOES she do? She spent most of her time in college studying, and the rest of her time finding work. She never really took a break. THIS was her break. Working was her break. It was a weird thought.

“Odd answer, but I don’t know!” She shrugged. “I guess I used to play games before college, but I haven’t done that in awhile. Stream shows whenever, mostly just look at memes to pass the time I guess, ha.”

Jeremy glanced over. “I heard meme.”

“You ARE a meme” Stan zapped back. Jeremy awkwardly smiled, then went back to viewing his phone; presumably to continue sifting through memes for the rest of his life.

Amber giggled. “But yea, I’ve just realized I’m just as boring as this place” she laughed.

“You’re only as boring as you let yourself be!” Stan shouted, holding a tender up like it was some kind of wand or scepter.”

Sarah opened the door to her office, catching Stan with the tender in the air.

“I certainly hope you’re not touching that tender with your bare hands to give out to a customer.” She said annoyingly.

“Uh, no! This is for Amber, who has never until today had any of our hot and fresh food!” He handed it to Amber while still smiling too wide for comfort at Sarah.

“Uh huh… I’m sure.” She closed the door, revealing a smile before doing so.

Amber nibbled on the tender when Stan looked back. “You’re going to get us in trouble!” Amber said.

“Nah, she eats food from here too. Probably why she’s been fired from other jobs honestly.” Stan said matter of factly. “She’d be a hypocrite for calling us out, and she’s way too nice to fire anyone.” He took another tender and took a bite. “See?”

Amber shrugged and took one herself. “Whatever”, she thought to herself. They were good, and they’d be thrown out any way. That, and if she did eat there, it would save money if she didn’t have to cook dinner when she got home. She’d only eat if she saw Stan eating too.

Time came and went, and closing time was just around the corner.

“Ok, let's wrap it up. Start cleaning and we can head out as soon as it’s time to close.” Sarah said. Stan and Jeremy lit up and started cleaning right away. Amber was right behind them, helping take care of the ending tasks. Stan started throwing away some of the excess food they had made, but stopped a second.

“Hey boss lady; can I take these home? They’d just be thrown out anyway.”

“Sure, why not. Better to lug out trash with less food in it anway.” She said while rolling her eyes.

“Sweeeeet.” Stan began taking some of the tenders and some fries. Jeremy heard as well and started grabbing a few things too. Amber was a little more hesitant, especially seeing how quick the food was being taken.

“Oh, here. Want some?” Stan held out some tenders and fries to Amber.

“It’s all I’ve had today, but sure, why not? No cooking for me!” She grabbed a bag, threw in some tenders and fries, and headed out the door.

Sarah was tapping her foot waiting for the three to raid the kitchen before leaving. They were out earlier thanks to closing earlier, but she was still impatient. Jeremy was out first, followed by Amber and Stan; Stan looking way too happy about getting free food.

“See you guys later!” He yelled while running to his car.

“Bye!”

Amber began walking home, watching as everyone else drove away. She wondered why Sarah was always in such a hurry. She assumed Jeremy just went home and continued doing what he did while at work. She started to blush when she thought about Stan, though. He was cute, kind, and really funny. He didn’t really seem to pay her mind, though. Most of the time, she’d know if someone liked her. She knew Jeremy liked her; he could see it in his inappropriate glances. Most people would hit on her, but since she hadn’t really been out she hadn’t been in awhile. She kind of wished Stan would.

She smiled and continued onward, eating her tenders and washing them down with her daily milkshake.