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“But that’s volunteer,” I protest Tears are co to do withpositions don’t pay I needon me I need—”

“I’ a lot of effort for him to say “There’s a strict no-violence-in-the-workplace policy I must abide by, and—”

“Then Anthony ought to be fired, too!”

“I’ressor here”

I’m out of my seat at once “This isn’t fair! Mr Lemon, he—”

“Mr Strong almost threw himself over the counter first”

“Mr Lemon …”

“I saw it all on the security ca boy’s frequent presence here for quite some time—all summer, really—but we’ve reached a point nohere his presence is affecting my business”

“But it wasn’t ht I was just—”

“I’o”

I break eye contact with hi down at the box of tissues and the opened first aid kit on the desk, ape, at a total loss of what to say or do

Maybe there is nothing to say

Maybe there is nothing to do

“I’m sorry, Bobby,” he murmurs softly

Soer eht now As my eyes try to fill up with s, then escapes right out in a jagged and disheartened exhale

I lick my lips

I can still taste blood

Despite the ball of unsettled emotion in me, I make myself be cordial “Thanks, Mr Lemon,” I tell hie I place all three items on the desk “I’ll drop off the rest of ”

“No rush I’ll give you a good reference, Mr Parker”

He reaches to shake my hand

I take it, then s in my numb, cold nose full of blood

When I pass through the lobby on ive the concession stand even as lance I don’t knohether Anthony is still there, or if Vince took over for hi pterodactyl serving popcorn now

It’s none of my business anymore

Jimmy’s truck sits down the street soive it a pained look from a distance