Page 29 of The Penalty

“Sounds like a fun afternoon. Text me pics of what you get,” I say. Sitting here with them, eating pancakes on a Sunday morning, makes me miss my family even more. I wish I could go shopping with them this afternoon, but I would never want to intrude on their family time. I know how important it is.

After breakfast, I offer to clean up, but Tyler insists on doing it. I shower and get ready for my long day.

Later that evening, in the middle of dinner rush, Lara, the hostess, finds me and tells me someone requested my section.

I look toward my section and see Kylie and Tyler sitting at a booth by the window. As exciting as it is to see them, I look like an absolute mess. I spilled marinara sauce on my shirt barely an hour into my shift and tried unsuccessfully to get it out. Then, I dropped a glass of Coke on my shoe so now I make a nice sticky sound as I walk. And my hair is falling out of the French braid I styled it in this morning.

Plus, I’ve had a few large parties that have really sucked the energy out of me.

It’s been rough, to say the least. But I smooth out my messy shirt and hold my head high as I walk over to their table.

“Look what the cat dragged in,” I say with the biggest smile I can muster.

Tyler looks up from his menu and takes in my appearance, his brows furrowing.

“Wow. Bad day?” Kylie asks. I guess she sees the same thing as her dad.

I sigh. “I’ve had better, that’s for sure.”

“Can you take a break? You could eat with us,” she offers.

My stomach has been growling for the past hour. Besides the breadstick I shoved in my mouth a few hours ago, I haven’t had anything to eat since the pancake breakfast.

“I wish I could, but I’m slammed right now.”

She pouts. “Ok.”

“What can I get you to drink?” I ask, ignoring Tyler’s look of concern.

Kylie orders a Dr. Pepper, and Tyler asks for a water.

After I deliver their drinks and take their order, my manager, Angel, finds me. She’s been like a second mother to me since I started working here my freshman year. I’m grateful that she’s been so great with my schedule over the years, and she always sneaks me extra food when she can.

“You doing ok, Kenz?” she asks.

“Yeah, just a long day.”

“Lara said those two asked for you. Friends of yours?” She nods to Kylie and Tyler’s table. She’s not asking because she’s mad. I imagine she’s curious since in the almost four years I’ve worked here, I’ve never had anyone ask to sit in my section. Lara is Angel’s niece so I should’ve known she would say something.

“Yeah, Kylie is a friend from school, and that’s her dad. He’s the head football coach at La Vista.”

Most people in this town would recognize Tyler. I can tell that half the people in the restaurant already have. He turned our football team around in such a short period and is basically a celebrity here.

But not Angel. Nope. She doesn’t like football. Says she has better things to do with her time than watching grown men toss around a ball. I’ve suggested she might change her mind if she actually went to a game, but she never does.

“That’s good. I’m glad your friends are here. Give them a dessert on the house.”

I look at her, surprised. That’s not something we usually do. “You’re sure?”

“Yes, honey.” She pats my arm and heads off to start her rounds.

I check on my other tables before I grab Kylie and Tyler’s food and take it to their table.

“This looks amazing, thank you,” Tyler says when I put his chicken parm in front of him.

“It’s good. One of my favorite things on the menu, actually.”

“McKenzie, do you wanna come over tonight when you get off?” Kylie asks. I know she means well. She now knows that if I’m not at her house, I’m probably sleeping in my car. And while I appreciate her offer, I don’t want to be a charity case. I’ll accept help up to a certain point. Hanging out and having a sleepover is one thing. Coming over only to crash in one of their beds feels like too much.