11

The following day was just a normal day, Jack woke up, ate breakfast had a staring contest with his father, which almost turned violent but a threat from his mother made him and his father think twice before turning their kitchen into a war zone, then he got up from his table, got his stuff and went to school.

Upon his arrival at school, he saw Susan and Julia were waiting for him at the gate, not feeling like getting into a political debate with Julia so early in the morning, So he did what every noble man of his age would do, he walked right past them pretending to be lost in thought.

'Jack!'

The girls called out to him but he just kept walking, picking up the pace with every step he took.

'Jack Don't you ignore us we know very well that you can hear us.'

'No, I cannot, I am pretending to be lost in thought right now please leave a message after the Peep!'

'Jack do you not like me anymore?'

Jack stopped dead in his tracks, done a surprisingly perfect ballerina twirl, then faced the girls covering one side of his face, so he could remove Julia from his line of sight.

'No…no, it is not that I don't like you anymore , it is that I don't like her, I would say anymore but the truth if the matter is I never did and I will not apologise for my confession, I am just a man…'

'Little boy!'

'You see this, this is what I have to look at and deal with, I can only bottle up so much Susan, before I explode, my brain is going to burst now but that is fine, I think that I have lived a good life, I would have like to go to London, and explore the world but, it is what it is.'

'You do know that I can hear you and that she is my sister.'

'I am?'

'OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!, snap chat me a bold eagle because I am not going bold.'

'Susan!'

'I am sorry Julia I was just caught in the moment, I promise it will not happen again.'

'Why are you making so much noise?'

'I really, cannot deal with this right now, I only have so much energy in a day, I have to get through this day, then I have to go to work afterwards, then I still have to deal with a certain parasite, I really cannot fight with you right now, so whatever you are going to say, just say it and let us get over it, I heard from someone that I could go wherever I want to go from here, If I apply myself correctly, then I could be whatever I want to be and I plan on doing that, I really do not want to stay here the rest of my life, I honestly want to see the world.'

'Well if you did not run away like a criminal then you would have known that she is here to tell you something.'

'What, that my breath sticks like sewerage water, or I look like a female version of Dracula, what is it?'

'No, she was not going to say any of those things, she is here too apologise to you and to miss Bonate but that is not such a big deal.'

'I am?'

'Yes, you are Julia, do not make me tell mother that you were ignoring my specific instruction.'

'If Julia is apologising then I am all ears.'

'How can you trust this guy, how do I know he is not going to say something A-holistic, as soon as I have completed apologising.'

'Those words you keep on using is why you are in this situation in the first place, apologising will not make you a smaller person.'

'Definitely not smaller then you, how much do you weigh, I bet my cousin, Dwayne way more then you and he was born last month.'

'I don't have time for this, my mother is not paying school fees for me to be humiliated like this and I still have work after this.'

Jack scoffed and started walking away.

'Wait!, okay, you win, I am sorry for using such irrational, although it was rational at the moment, it was unlady like and unprofessional of me to do, so I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive my indecent behavior and barbaric acts, please forgive me, I was wrong, very wrong.'

'Is that all you wanted to say?'

'Yes, I knew that he was not going to take anything I say seriously, why did I even try?'

'No..No, don't jump the gun, I just wanted to know if that is all you have to say before I accept your apology?'

'You will accept it?'

'Of course I will, there is no issue with it, you apologised and as the bigger man, I must accept it, now is that all you have to say to me, because I really have to get to class, I really do not want to be late, plus I have to copy someone's homework, I completely forgot about our math homework, so is everything done here?'

'Yes.'

'Susan?'

'I have nothing more to say to you Mr Jack Peterson, and good luck with whatever you are going to do'

'How are you doing, never mind, I am off to build myself a future, in education and politics.'

So he ran off, which was totally unnecessary, because he could have walked with them since they were already at Julia's class and their class was only two doors away but this is not for me to judge I am just a lonely narrator, who is typing words on a page.

His time during class, Jack was more fired up then the juices in a fire fly's butt, he was working hard, answering questions, instigating and debating arguments, making stick figure movies in the corner of his book, yes, people this is what the grind is all about, Mrs Taylor was so shocked, she even walked up to him and felt his forehead, thinking that he might be tripping over a fever but nothing, she even resorted to calling the principle, so he could administrated a breathalyzer and drug test on the boy, but the test came back clean dear reader this boy was motivated beyond the motivational videos you see online.

Break time arrived and Jack was still pumping brains, everyone was so impressed and shock that each one of them walked by his desk, giving him an hand shake writing him friend request on pieces of paper and some were even from the popular girls in class but he had no interest in befriending them or time for fake relationships, he crumbled up the paper and stuffed it in his mouth, after realising that he did not have the adequate amount of saliva or will power to complete the task of eating the paper and that it was not turning out to be as cool as he wanted it to be, he spat out the paper in his hand and put it in his pocket.

'Ewww!'

'What are you ewwing like cats for, I was trying to make a point but due to the fact that my tonsils were removed, I am unable to produce the necessary amount of saliva that would allow me to consume the entire paper, there is your explanation, now you know my dark secret, you can take it and post it on the notice board if you like but let me tell you something sister, you cannot black mail this guy into doing dirty deeds because I won't, do you get me!'

'Uhmm, Hello, do not think of yourself that much, all we wanted to know is that if we should consider you as a part of the class and acknowledge that you exist but with that attitude it is better that we don't, goodbye!, let us go girls, I cannot believe I actually thought he was cool, disgusting, I need to go sanitize my entire body and may even drink some, so I can get the revolting thought out of my head.'

'Good idea Britney?'

'My, my, dear Jackie boy, you sure know how to charm a woman right out of the door, I wish I had a skill like yours, no… just kidding.'

'So, you finally decided to show your face, Elizabeth, I thought that you would be gone by now, guess I am wrong.'

'Aren't you always, just putting those final days of good attendance in before I depart from my beloved home, anyway sad matters aside, why are you not outside chilling with your favourite ladies, you have become quite the talk of the town bagging not one but two, with one also being considerably young.'

'I thought I might spend some time with my side chick.'

'Side chick?'

'You know that girl, that stands by your side like you doing now, secretly crushing on you.'

'I think you talking about yourself here, besides I am the one that friend zoned you, not once, not twice but three times, talk about desperation, have some self-respect man!'

'Okay first of all..ouch!, secondly I do not it was necessary to go that that far, thirdly I am a human being and we all make mistakes along the line of our lives but the important thing is that we all learn from our mistakes and use it to our advantage next time we might encounter something similar.'

'And you could not learn anything from the first two rejections?'

'I have a difficult time concentrating in class.'

'Now I understand why you are the way you are, you lack of concentration is leaking into other aspects of your life.'

'Yes, see you are the only one that gets me, we are made for each other.'

'Do not be ridiculous, it was common sense.'

'Why are you so cold towards me?'

'I think it is because I had a lot of ice cream so it is making me a cold hearted…. Fill in the blanks.'

'Cold hearted person, cold hearted ice queen that's diet consists of nothing but drinking liquid nitrogen, cold hearted puppy.'

'Where did that come from, it does not even make sense.'

'Sometimes, dear innocent Ellie, life does not make sense, it hardly ever does, sometimes you have to think outside the box, two plus two does not always have to equal nine, but is could also equal four, you have to be willing to break the life's normal expectations and explore the unknown.'

'Jack, I have something important to tell you.'

'Yes?'

'I do not think you are going to pass this year, I am sorry.'

'Huh, whenever I hear a woman say 'no', I hear 'yes'.'

'That is harassment and you could go to jail for that, I think you need to rephrase your statement.'

'No man, get your head out of the toilet, whenever I hear no, I hear yes, is that better?'

'A lot better, do you want to play hide and seek?'

'In class?'

'Yes, whenever it is a person's turn to hide, the other can look past then for a matter of time, until the feel like it is there turn.

'Okay, then let's do it!'

After their good old brief game of hide and seek which literally last for the entire fifteen minutes, in which Elizabeth never got tired of pretending Jack was not there was brought to an end by the start of class, in which Jack pulled a few faces and expressed his disappointment and anger through varies kinds of hands signs, which I could cannot speak of due to the age restriction and moral code, but I think you can imagine all the hands signs he and she did, before they both settled down and put their game faces on.

'Hey, you!, what have you been doing here the entire time.'

'Uhmm, I..'

'Oh Dear Lord should I answer her question with honesty or lies, I mean if I answer it with the truth then it might create suspicion on myside and doubt on my character, so I should just tell her something logical and expected from me, yes that would work, I cannot lose her after I got this far.'

'Uhmm, nothing special, you know, just revision work, how about you what have you been doing during break time, I hope you have not been eating grass again?'

'I was tempted at first but I did not do anything like that, it was just really quite and empty without you there.'

'Yes, I would miss myself too, if I were not around, I am the life of the party after all.' ( No, seriously what does she see in this guy!)

'I think Julia was the one who was missing you the most, she did not speak to me once for the entire break, she just sat there poking a leaf, it was depressing to watch.'

'Woow!, my God sir, that chatter box, said nothing the entire recess?'

'Yes.'

'I am honestly shocked, no wonder the weather changed all of a sudden the heavens could not believe it too, shocked surprised and shocked at the same time, emoji, emoji.'

'I think you mean like this, (😮)'

'How do you do that, can you teach me too?'

'Unfortunately it is not up to me but the higher up.'

'God?'

'No, the person writing this book.'

'Oh, I see, hey!, Mr writer can I use emojis too?'

NO!!!!!!!

(Thunder clap, lighting🌩, whirl wind🌪 outside window)

'Oh, come on!, even elements get emojis, this is so unfair.'

'Jack I think you need to calm down and show a little respect.'

'Have you met him?'

'No.., actually we both have.'

'I have?'

'Yes, see we are both in his head, we are just ideas.'

'Are you telling me that I am just words?'

'Yes, we are, unless someone decides us turn into a movie.'

'I would like to be in a movie.'

'That is unlikely.'

'Why?'

'See our writer is currently unemployed and is hopelessly low on funds, correction has no funds, so that idea is really looking bleak at this moment.'

'Are you saying that I am being written by an unemployed loafing bum?'

'I would not say that or else you will be removed.'

'He would not remove me, I am the star….'

Important notice: Due to unruly behavior and explicit hand signs Jack Peterson has been suspended and physically removed from the story until further notice, we appreciate your time and patience.

'Told him so.'

After a careful deliberation and a long, difficult struggle against writer's block, it was finally decided that maybe it is a good idea to reintroduce Jack Peterson into the story, so within a few minutes Jack was reinstated and now the story continues.

'I have died and comeback, I must be something special, being unemployed is not fun, I am truly grateful for my position.'

'I am glad you realised that, because I cannot be seen with a broke man.'

'Understood, :), you have got to be joking really that?'

Important notice: Due to unru…just joking.

A little later after his randevu with the higher up, the day went on as usually, Jack was fully motivated and ready to leave his foot print on this whole, finishing his work with laser like focus, debating against the right answer, for it was not to his liking, throwing a tantrum because the teacher did not want to accept his side of the argument, which resulted in him being thrown out of the class room, to reflect on his bad behavior and most likely write an apology letter from his heart, honestly do teachers think throwing someone of class makes them feel bad, no way man, it is fun out there.

'Man, I do not understand these teachers, this is what you get for taking education seriously and trying to make something of yourself in this world, thrown out of class!, I know my answer was right, everyone else's was wrong, it is quite obvious that my genius is not welcome here, I need to find myself a new school, but unfortunately, there is only this one in this stinking village slash little town, really I do not know what to call it a frontier, maybe I should go for something abroad, yes, that is more my style, class and satisfaction.'

'Mr Peterson, you may come back in, I hope you have learned your lesson and reflected on your mistakes?'

'Yes, ma 'am I have dearly, in my moment of isolation, I realised that I was completely wrong, I lost control of my emotion and should try harder to suppress the outburst.'

'Good, I knew a little time outside to cool down, will make you see the light.'

'It is just this whole growing up thing is so confusing and stressful, not knowing where I am going to end up in a few years, is really making me anxious and just….., I do not even know.'

'I understand Jack, I was a teenager once too, hopefully you do not go down the same road I did, because that road, is not for sissies, but that is not the point lets just say through my years, I have realised that you have to be patient and try different things until the thing that attracts with you, your passion is what makes life worth living so whatever is going on now, do not worry about it, eventually you will find what makes you feel alive and trust me it is not something you sniff, smoke or inject, just remember these things your teacher tells you, because it will mess you up boy!'

'You seem to be very wise Mrs Taylor.'

'One only becomes wise after making many mistakes and learning from them.'

'Believe it or not Mrs Taylor, my friends always tell me that.'

'I am sure they do, you just cannot go a few moments without hogging the spot light can you?'

'What can I say, I was born to be a star.'

'Shhh, silly boy and get in class.'

The day ended and Jack was about to leave for work, greeting Julia and trying to steal a kiss from Susan but she blatantly refused, just kept avoiding his dry lips, that almost looked like they have been laying in the sun for over a decade, people please give that man some vaseline or something, shame the struggle was real back in the days.

'Dude are you not getting the message, Jackass, go on you scoundrel!, or else I will call the police and the entire village slash town to beat you down, castrate you, then burn you to a crisp.'

'You are disturbed girl, I am just trying to greet my girlfriend, what is so wrong in that.'

'Nothing Jack, the thing is, if I gave you the kiss, then you will not be able to concentrate on your work.'(Lies!)

'You are probably right.' (idiot)

'Yes, she is.'

'I will depart now, do not miss me too much.'

'I doubt anyone ever has, they probably celebrate when you leave.'

'Do not listen to her, I will definitely miss you, my bucket of milk.'

'Really, that is what pet names have come to, what is next, 'Bae', like in 'bay', the future looks bleak and horrific for couples.'

'Dear Julia, you too young to understand these delicate emotions we are going through, your time will come, trust us.'

'I am sorry, Jack but I would not trust you more them I trust a snake, anyway I would rather spent my life making something of myself, then to run around licking someone else's butt.'

'No one likes to be alone, trust me.'

'She will understand in time, now off you go to work before you are late.'

Susan flatten the side of his hair then dusted something off his shoulders and turned him around physically then shoved him forward.

'Alright no need to get physical, I am off.'

'I hope you get hit by something or struck by lightning.'

'Nope, not going to happen it is very hot today.'

Off he went, march down the road, not looking back once.

When he arrived, the store was busier then ever, the line was so long, one could swear that all the village slash town's people were all at Olive's bakery, he tried the back entrance but it was also block so he had no choice but to muster up the courage to fight the ocean of people, who some thought that he was trying to cut in line, when he finally made it inside, he saw Mario and Lesly battling to keep up with the influx of customer.

'Jack, Thank God you finally arrived, we desperately need more hands on deck.', Waldo called out to him.

'Just tell me, where can I help but first what is going on?'

'It seems to me I made a great choice in hiring Charlotte, her Macarons and cinnamon buns are selling like hot cakes, people cannot get enough of them, luckily she taught those other two to make them too, so we have been lucky to be able to keep up, now go change, no fruit peeling for you, you have been promoted too, cashier assistant, now go!'

'Yes, sir!'

Jack bolted up the stairs to find, James, Arnold and Charlotte working together like a well oiled machine, so well that they were drying the sweat of each other foreheads instinctively without looking.

'Jack, you finally came, I almost thought that this crowd must have scared you off.'

'No ma'am.'

'Ma'am!, in any case we will tackle that later, please go get changed I need you to take these down for, Mario.'

'Yes ma'am!'

'He said it again, what is this a practical joke?',Charlotte mumbled to herself

Jack bolted off once again and returned in a flash.

'I have returned and is ready to serve my duty to the Olive bakery.'

'That's it!, Jackmen!, I like your enthusiasm, there is it right there, take it carefully, we need your utmost concentration on this one.'

'Yes, Sir Arnold!'

'Dude, do not call me sir, makes me sound like some old grandpa that eats oat meal for breakfast, dinner and lunch.'

'You right, because even an old grandpa would get the order of the day right.'

'Shut up James, why do you have to be so technical all the time, we do not even have technology yet.'

'How about we all shut up boys and let's get back to work, less yapping and more work, work.'

'Yes ma'am!'

'Not you two too, and why are you still standing there, what are you waiting for go give those men a hand down stairs.

'Yes.'

'You two corrupted the boys mind.'

'We made him a man.'

'That is the only right thing you said today Arnie, be gone boy!, so we can talk about you behind your back.'

'Yes, I am gone.'

Jack left the kitchen, so the grown ups can talk behind his back in private.

'So what did you say old Arnie?'

'Look at this girl James, likes things, is he gone?'

'Yes.'

'Right!, then we can begin.'

Welcome to:

Kitchen Gossip:

Where we talk about staff behind their backs😉

INT. KITCHEN - AFTERNOON

Audience applause as CHARLOTTE BONATE enter the kitchen, with cheesy elevator music playing in the back ground, she waves at the crowd, who is pretending to like her just so they could earn a few extra bucks in their pocket, she bows once then, ties her apron then sits on the counter.

CHARLOTTE

In this heartwarming and possibly tear jerking episode we will be exploring the hardship of loving a women, while she loves another, who is married to another, who has possibly has children with another, please get your tissue boxes or toilet roll or if you are too lazy to get up, I think that your clothes will work just as well because this is going to be the most emotional ride of your life.

Audience gasps and looks at each other

CHARLOTTE

Yes, it is quite a shocker but even of that if you will please help me in welcoming the two man that has been played worse then a desperate street dog looking for anyone to love ARNOLD SHCINIER and JAMES ARIDUN.

Audience applause and whistles as the two men enter, JAMES waves to them and ARNOLD blows kisses for everyone, then takes their aprons, ties them around there waists and starts mixing there ingredients.

CHARLOTTE

(leans forward to shake their

hands)

Welcome gentleman.

JAMES

Thank you for having us.

CHARLOTTE

So, I hope you do not mind if we jump straight into the hot seat?

ARNOLD

NO problem, with you James?

JAMES

(shrugs)

Nope.

CHARLOTTE

Alright then, let me start with you Arnold, when was the first time you met 'this women'?

ARNOLD

(He adjusted his apron)

Well it was an afternoon just like this, nice and sunny with a slight breeze but okay to go shirtless, we were pumping iron, when she came in from nowhere, all dolled up, looking for the owner/manager, since he was not here at the time, I decided, as majority shareholder

_ _

James snickered then coughed loudly

CHARLOTTE

Are you okay, do you need some water?

JAMES

(James repositions himself)

No thank you, I am fine.

CHARLOTTE

Please continue.

ARNOLD

As I was saying, he was not there at the time, as the majority shareholder, the duty of the shop automatically falls on to me_

CHARLOTTE

Yes, of course.

ARNOLD

So, I told her that he is not here at the moment, so I said that, 'I could also help her, I am also kind of a half a boss, since I own a major stake in the bakery', she said 'Alright and told me that she would like to place a big order for some big event that she is holding', I said 'fine then let's go

ARNOLD

I finalized, the order in my office', so we went up to the office and the rest is history.

CHARLOTTE

(nodded)

It seems to me that you work pretty fast, how about you James, how did you meet the lady whose name I cannot mention due to legal reasons and her protection but she knows who she is. (looks straight into the camera and winks)

JAMES

(scratches the side of his head )

Uhmmm...my story is not as exciting as his, she just came in the store one day and asked 'if she could order some jams?', I asked 'How much would she like?', she said 'A lot', I said, 'how much will it take a girl like you to go out with me?', she said, 'no need for much, since you are such a handsome man.', after that we went for drinks and all those things.

CHARLOTTE

I see and on these trips or flied outings..

ARNOLD

I believe they are called dates.

CHARLOTTE

(narrows eyes at him, clears

throat)

Yes, thank you Arnold, and on these DATES, did she not mention or speak about the other men?'

JAMES

(shakes his head.)

Nope.

CHARLOTTE

(Hands James a tissue.)

CHARLOTTE

Arnold did you feel anything off or find anything Suspicious about her behavior?

ARNOLD

No, nothing at all, she is a damn good actor.

CHARLOTTE

That seems about right.

James nods in agreement, wipes a tear of Arnold's cheeks, one of the audience members stands up from the seat and makes her way to the stage, security comes in tased her and paper sprays her, puts her in a body bag and carries her out.

CHARLOTTE

So.., when did you find out that she had a husband?

JAMES (puts tissue in his pocket.)

Well, our boss hired this boy named Jack Peterson.

A photo appears on a big screen behind them.

CHARLOTTE

(points at the screen.) Is that him?

JAMES

Yes, that is him.

CHARLOTTE

Is he sick?

ARNOLD

No, he just looks that way.

CHARLOTTE

(strokes and imaginary beard.) Strange but vaguely handsome, so your boss hires this boy then what?

JAMES

One day, we had a hard and long gym session, we ended by going late into the afternoon, so my boss felt sorry for the boy and offered to take him half way on his journey home, when the boss, saw that one side of their house's wall was broken, he offered to fix it, obviously under the impression that there was no man to fix it.

CHARLOTTE

Understandably you were under the same impression too?

JAMES

Yes, so he said 'That we had to go and fix the wall on a Sunday', so we all went and she invited us inside to drink some tea, we were all drinking tea, when he showed up.

CHARLOTTE

Her husband?

ARNOLD

(Damps his eyes while speaking)

yes.

CHARLOTTE

I reckon you both were pretty shocked by his presence?

ARNOLD

Not, that but that she would pick someone like him over me.

Audience applause

CHARLOTTE

And how did this man look?

ARNOLD

Like a deformed carrot, he was just..., I have no words, she obviously had no standards.

JAMES

In simply terms the dude was whack.

ARNOLD

Whack!, hombre!

Audience burst out in to typical audience laughter, James and Arnold high five each other, Charlotte covers her mouth with her hand.

CHARLOTTE

(clears her throat, repositions herself.)

And..and then?

JAMES

As Arnold was saying we all were sitting there, when he came in.

CHARLOTTE

John.

ARNOLD

Deformed carrot face.

Audience laughs again.

JAMES

He comes into the kitchen, screaming swear words all over the place like a spitting cobra.

CHARLOTTE

And what gave you the impression that this might be her husband?

ARNOLD

Uhmmm..maybe because he came out in underwear which was obviously three sizes too small for him.

JAMES

They were stained in the front too.

NARRATOR(O.V)

viewers please note: That the source of our sources of information are unreliable and untrustworthy, whatever is said by those to man has nothing to do with our show, for any inquires please call: o72, sorry for you, we don't care, go cry by your mother if you want, see the worry in our eyes.

CHARLOTTE

What!, disgusting.

ARNOLD

Don't need to tell me twice girl, the man looked worse then a panda.

Suddenly JOHN busts through the window, does a somersault then raises to his feet with a slipper in one hand and a handful of moth balls in the other, still in his dirty underwear.

JOHN

(points at James and Arnold with his middle finger.)

So, I finally found you punk Ass b*&%$.

JAMES

(slides off the counter on to

his feet)

Hey, Jy!, who do you think you talking to!

JOHN

I am talking to you girls, what are you going to do?, dala(do), what you must!

ARNOLD

(reaches into his sock and pulls out a switch blade, and flicks it open)

You better watch your mouth carrot boy, because I'm about to pop you like a balloon.

CHARLOTTE(O.V)

Looks like that is all we have for today, Get the camera on my face!, here!,here!

(gestures with her hands to

her face.)

Uhmmm..., thank you for tuning in, please continue reading the story for further information and never before seen footage, bye!

THE END

Meanwhile down stairs, things down stairs was still going hectic, Waldo. Lesley were still were still struggling to keep and Jack head and hands were full too, taking orders and running up and down the stairs.

'Boy!'

'Yes sir.'

'I ordered a cake from a woman, yesterday, I am here to pick it up.'

'Wait here, sir let me just go and inquire about.'

'Please just make it quick.'

Jack ran upstairs to find the three enjoying some cake and tea.

'Guys, Nooooo!'

'What!'

'There is a man down stairs, he is here to pick up a cake, please don't tell me that that you are busy eating it right now?'

The room went quiet, you could hear the people down stairs, cough and sneeze and of course the occasional 'It was not me, it was the chair that made that sound.', Arnold said.

'Is it?'

A piece of cake dropped out Arnold's mouth.

'No of course not James, I am not that dumb.'

'Aaaah!, Jack-man!, you made me drop a perfectly good piece of cake.'

'Here is Mr Gibson's cake.'

By the mention of Mr Gibson's name everything went silent, and the vivid flash backs of all the things he had done to the girls and their mother came back, invoking an intense rage inside of him.

'Did you just say you say Gibson?'

'Yes, do you know him?'

'Jack are you okay, your face does not looks so good.'

'Yeah, Jack-man, it is as if you are holding in some air, just let it out, its okay, this is a safe space.'

'No sies, not everyone is disgusting as you.' Charlotte said covering her nose.

'Oh, if it is not trim and proper gentleman, Sir James, who does not know how to lift up, the toilet seat.'

'So it is you!, no man James, I expected more from you, it is not fun having to wipe that thing every time I go.'

'I am sorry, sometimes, it slips my mind.'

'More like all the time.'

'Uhmmm..people, we still have some work.' Jack said finally mustering up the courage.

'Okay, I will take it down to him.'

'NO!'

'Jack!', Charlotte, place her hand on her chest.

'You almost gave me a heart attack, is something wrong?'

'Nothing is wrong, I..I..just wanted to do it myself.'

'Oh, I see want is going on with him.'

'What is it James?'

The three of them took a few steps closer to him, bending down and looking him straight in the eyes.

'He is trying to hog the spot light for himself so, he could get the employee of the month.' James announced.

'It seems like that to me too.', Charlotte said, stroking her chin.

'We have something like that?'

'Arnold, sometimes I really worry for you.'

'Aww, man caught me red handed, trying to get it all for myself.'

'Just like you Jack, I have promised my client that I would personally bake and deliver or in this case hand it to him.'

'But…'

'Do not worry about me, youngest employee at the Olive's bakery, you will get all the spot light and credit you deserve.'

'Yes Jack there is no one more deserving of the prize then you.

James nudged Arnold but he was still trying to process the fact that there was something like employee of the month.

'I feel like my whole life is a lie.'

'Ignore him, since you so eager to help, Mr Employee of the month, you can take that tray of macaroons and follow me.'

Jack took the tray and followed Miss Bonate down the stairs and took the opportunity to ask her a few personal questions.

'Miss Charlotte Bonate, only woman employee at the Olive's bakery, can I ask you a question.'

'Oh man, I was hoping to avoid this, look Jack I know that you are of that age where you start noticing breast and butts and wanna marry anyone who has big ones but I am too old for you and I bet that out there somewhere in the world is someone, who will adore and love you for you, trust me.'

'What are you talking about, why do people always think that I want to marry any woman, I talk to.'

'So, you were not going to ask me to marry you or to go to the movies or something?'

'No.'

'I bet that is what you were thinking.'

'No.'

'Well, what were you going to ask!'

'Why are you shouting?'

'Sorry, I just hate being wrong, so what were you going to ask?'

'All I wanted to know is who taught you to bake.'

'My Mama and Papa, I think that is also helps that my father was French and my mother Italian, aaah.., it was love at first site, now when people get tired of my macaroons, I will introduce them to tiramisu.'

'What is that?'

'It is heaven on the tongue, like you can actually taste the divine taste of heavens grass, but I will not describe it to you, you will have to wait just like everyone else.'

'Aww man.'

'So, tell me, how you got into baking.'

'As you know, I do not like to brag but I was always told , that I have gift for baking bread, actually baking and cooking in general, basically, I am an gifted all rounder, my mother says that I make the best toast bread in the world.'

'But she is your mother, she is suppose to say everything you do is out of this world, she will stand by you even if the world goes against you.'

'Hah!, you have obviously have not met my mother, she will throw me to the dogs, in order to save herself.'

'Tough love then?'

'You have no idea.'

'Here we are, gosh, it looks worse then black Friday in here…, oh there he is, I will go give this to him.'

She walked over to Mr Gibson and Jack followed.

'Jack, what are you doing?'

'You said that I should follow you.'

'Yes, but not to my client, you take those to the counter.'

'Yes ma'am.'

'Okay, bye🙄 '

'No way!, you get an emoji too.'

'Sorry, it is what it is.'

'I do not want to live anymore.'

Then suddenly Jack was struck by li…

(NO!, wait I was just joking.)

'I would not make jokes like that over here, what we do here is serious staff, there is no room for mistakes.'

'How can we make mistakes when we ar…'

'Shhhh!, boy and just go do your job, before you are burnt alive by a group of witch hunters.'

'That can happen?'

'He can make anything happen, so it is best you just go on your way.'

Realising that his life actually might be in danger, Jack quickly turned around and returned to the role that he was initially given, while serving the customers, he kept a firm eye on Miss Bonate and Gibson who seem to be enjoying each others company a little too much.

'Jack!, could you please check how much beer we have left.'

'Yes!, Mario, on it!'

Jack ran upstairs to check, when he heard foot steps follow him but chose to ignore it.

'Okay, let's check, beer, beer, beer, one, two, thre…'

'You better not be thinking of trying any, Jackie boy.'

Jack froze in disbelieve.

'How did he find me, it cannot be.'

He slowly peeked over his shoulder, to see if it was really the man he hoped not to be.

'Oh, yes, it is me!, in the flesh my boy!, I finally found out where you work.'

He walked over to Jack and ruffled his hair, while scanning every inch of the room.

'Mhmmm, this is quite a nice place but that window looks a little too big, I am afraid things might jump out of there.'

'No!, please go now!'

'Calm down Jackie, I am not a bad guy here,I just do want the scenario dictates, I cannot be held accountable for my actions.'

'What, do you want here?'

'I want what everyone else wants here to taste some of Miss Bonates goodies, oh, my that sounded a little dirty, and who would have thought that I will stumble upon the place where you work, what a lucky day it is for me.'

'I guess that I cannot fight it.'

'You cannot fight destiny, what must happen will happen, you just go with the flow.'

'Thanks for that advice, I will surely apply it, never.'

'I see, your mortal enemy is here too, Mr Gibson.'

'You know him.'

'Yes, I sold him, five horses over the last two months.'

'Why so many, did he kill them?'

'No, they kept on getting stolen.'

'By who?'

'Me, of course, who says there is no such thing as a get rich quickly scheme.'

'Your never seize to amaze me of how low you are willing to stoop.'

'Welcome to life!'

'And, why is he not dead yet?'

'Relax, Jackie boy, we are still very far from the end, to end now would not be good, someone is coming, I better go, see you maybe later.'

'Wait!,'

And just like that he vanished, like a Master magician.

'I wonder, where he lived or how many years he spent in a certain place to learn that.'

'Jack!, is everything alright, who were you talking to?'

'Yes, Mario, I was just thinking out loud.'

'I swear…, just do not do it, it is weird, have you counted how many is left.'

'Yes, thirty six.'

'Okay, that means thirty six gets beer and the others must just accept it and go home, better luck next time, okay!, come bring as many as your little arms can carry.'

'Yes, sensei!'

'Sensei, I like that, keep up the good work, just don't call Lesly that, then is will not be as cool anymore.'

'Yes, sensei!'

'Then let's go!'

Finally, the end came for the horrid, mini black Friday and everyone threw themselves down on the floor like a bunch of hippies who just smoked battery acid dipped joints.

'Man, what a day, I am so tired, I hardly doubt, if my legs would be able to carry me home.'

'Boo, whooo, for you, luckily we live here, we live here!.' Charlotte said lifting her glass in the air

'Thank you Miss Bonate, I appreciate the consideration.'

'Pleasure.'

'Maybe, you could ask the boss if you could sleep over, then one of us could walk you home early tomorrow morning before your school starts.'

'That is a great idea, Lesly, where is the boss anyway?'

'He left a few minutes before we closed.'

'And now he is back and brought rewards for his employees, fish and chips for his hard working peoples.'

'And the beer?'

'Arnold, we still have work, now what are you waiting for go get the barrel in the yard.'

'You put our food on the floor?'

'Yes, because that is the kind of boss, I am.'

'Just go.'

Everyone rushed down the stairs like a bunch of children, who is about to start an easter egg hunt but Jack remained on the floor.

'And you, what is your problem, you not hungry?'

'No.., it is just…, I really do not want to go home, I too, want to have a dinner with everyone.'

'So why don't you?'

'Because, I have to go home.'

'Who says so?'

'Time and my mother.'

'Aah, what if, I told you that, I already took care of that.'

'No way!, really?'

'Yes way, here you go.'

Waldo handed him a black bag.

'She put my clothes in a black bag?'

'Well, it is the thought that counts.'

'I am sure.'

'Now, what are you waiting for, go!'

A big smile grew on Jacks face and bolted down stairs, out into the most beautiful dinner setting he has ever seen, it was simple but beautiful, a wooden table, with a red cloth laid over it and three oil lambs in the middle but that is not what made it majestic, the thing that made it beautiful for Jack was the smiling and laughing face of his colleagues.

'So, what you waiting for go join them.'

The sudden voice made jump a little, 'Geez😱, Waldo, you almost gave me heart attack, you move quite quickly for someone your size.'

'Good, it keeps people on the toes, because they will never see me coming.'

He ran off, to tell his friends the good news.

'Hah, he did not even notice he got an emoji.'

'Fellow comrades, I come baring good news.'

'Please do not mention cake or anything sweet, I swear, I am going to throw up in your face.'

'Nooo!, you pregnant.'

'Bastard child!'

'No, Lesly and James, why do you have to be so judgmental.'

'You see what I mean.'

'I see now, Arnold.'

'I do not care, I have a right to freedom of expression.'

'Uhmm, guys back to me, it seems we have derailed here.'

'Sorry, Jack, what were you saying?'

'I said, that I have some good news.'

'Yes, what is it?', Charlotte asked

'I can sleep here tonight.'

'And how is that good news for us.'

'Yeah, Jack-man, how does it you benefit us, it is actually a disadvantage, because now, we have to share whatever little food we have with you.'

The smile on Jack's slowly started to fade, then suddenly everyone broke out into laughter.

'Cheer up Jack, they are just pulling your leg.'

'Come on Jack, you can take a seat next to me.', She shifted herself over and patted down on the empty space.

Without a moments hesitation, Jack flew right up next to Charlotte.

'Here you go, take some or else you will not get any, we have two hungry beasts here.'

'Girl, one has to eat to support muscle growth.'

'How about you eat some food that supports brain growth.'

'Now, now, you two, that is enough, let us enjoy our food and continue to celebrate a good days work, To Us!'

'TO US!'

Everyone clashed their glass together and so the group of friends celebrations into the night but brings an end to this eventful chapter.