Page 72 (1/2)

Nor outas possible before shuffling to the car But on Monday I practically sprint there

You’re excited about the tips, I remind myself Not the cook

Rick juer-side door I buckle my seat belt as he fumbles to remove the tape that’s already in the deck "Quieras bailar con, slow tone There’s a pause, and then Rickfor it "Are you … learning Spanish?"

"Nothing No" Rick tucks the tape into the pocket of his button-down shirt, clears his throat, and puts the car into drive I watch him suspiciously but he doesn’t even look atmy mom and I share that he doesn’t Even if she won’t speak it with et close to Christ This ti I’ve never been so relieved to be out of that car It’s a long enough drive e’re pretending not to notice each other But e’re both being strange, well, it was interminable

I take a shower, then mess around withcheerily

For the tips

"Ho ho ho yourself, you old sicko" I pat the ani, not its usual dead zone Candy’s taking orders She’s stayed the last two nights to help with the extra crowds, even though she had to keep running to the bathroo at the counter He grins "Hola, Maria!" I’ve never seen his teeth before, much less his smile I didn’t realize his scowl lines weren’t per?" I hope I don’t look as confused-slash-unnerved as I feel

"Take your tiht Thanks" I barrel into the kitchen "What did you do to Angel?"

Ben shrugs, clapping his hands together once in a satisfied sort of way "He needed a good rowling orders at "

"Yup"

"Okay, be serious Are you a drug dealer? Is that why you were in juvie?"

He laughs, stirring sos"

"I’al"

"Cinnamon is not a controlled substance"

"That should be the title of your memoir" I reluctantly button s Candy coht and hopeful "I "

She puts a hand over her stoo container while she res up her uniform

She takes the container "Okay See you to on the balls of his feet Then his shoulders stoop, his whole body turning down in disappointave it to Jerry, didn’t she?" I ask

"It wasn’t for him It was for her" He frowns "To at the start of her shift, instead"

Animatronic Santa ho-ho-hos at a customer, and I’m swept up for the next few hours Ben more or less cooks what people ask for, and no one complains My feet are sore fro pockets are happy

Angel hasover the back to chat ani pictures on her napkin I’ve never seen thelance at each other before But the way they’re acting, you’d think they were best friends They’ve been in here every day A lot of the locals have been co more frequently than new-cook curiosity can account for

"Bennett," I say