1 My New Coworker

My name is Kenta Murphy. Before you ask, my mom is Japanese, and my dad is Irish. No idea how they even met, but here I am.

For those listening to my sultry voice, I'm about 5'9". Pretty average looking, with short brown hair. I tan easily. My dad is super jealous about that fact. I'm right-handed, and my blood type is B positive, so it's hard for me to be negative. Oh, and I'm near sighted.

With that out of the way, let's get on with the story.

It was so early, the streetlights were only just shutting off as the sun crept over the hill down the block. The delivery truck, carrying an assortment of coffee and tea beverages, had just backed into the loading space, and the driver was unloading.

It was late November, and the cold weather was really starting to take hold. In Avon Peaks, winter tended to last from November to early March, it rarely snowed but the chill came like a welcomed friend at first, but by the new year, everyone was ready for it to get on its way.

I kept checking my phone, the new hire was supposed to be here that morning but I got a text from my boss that they were going to be late. So, since I lived down the road, I had to ruin my precious few sleeping hours to hang out with Chuck the delivery guy.

"Hey, Kenta, this is the last pallet. Then I am out of your hair," called Chuck. His uniform was always sloppy, but he was never late.

"Thanks Chuck! I just got to wait for my new coworker to show up, then I am rushing back to Dreamland."

"You really like your sleep, huh?"

"I've kinda built my whole personality around it." We both laughed, and Chuck continued unloading.

After a few minutes everything was loaded into the storage room and Chuck was good to go.

"Sign right here, and we're all set."

I signed and handed him back the clipboard.

"Thanks Ken. See you next time."

"Chuck, I like you, but don't you dare put that curse on me. Being up before 10am is for the birds."

"You're a little weird, but I like ya. Take it easy!"

Chuck was back in the truck and gone before I could blink.

8:00 am came and went, then 9:00 am, the morning rush tore up the store, but it was relatively drama free. The thought of my pillow kept sneaking back into my mind.

The bell chimed from the door opening, and my attention turned towards it. "Good morning!"

There in a hastily thrown-on store uniform consisting of a green shirt with the "Unit Mart" logo on it, buttons done up the wrong way and missing a few, and black slacks. Her long black hair was a total mess, and her glasses were tilted, barely masking her freckles. She came through like a tornado.

"I—, I am so sorry!" She dropped to her knees and began pleading.

"I… It's fine I guess." I ran over to her. "Get off the floor. The customers are gonna think something happened."

"Sorry…" She stood up. She was avoiding eye contact and we awkwardly lingered there for way too long.

"Are you the new hire?"

She snapped into a salute. "Yes, I am Millicent Davids, but I go by Mil, sir!"

"This isn't the military… Uh, at ease?"

She went limp at every joint, slouched and somehow managed to look like a puddle that had learned to stand.

The bell chimed as two customers entered.

"Good morning!" I called, then turned my attention to Mil. "Hey, I'll handle the register. Go get straightened up in the back, then can you get started on stocking the coffee delivery? It's really easy, just put them where you see others like it."

The look she gave me conveyed a mild panic, I was almost certain smoke would have come out of her ears.

"Mil, you can do this, alright? If you need help just ask."

Her demeanor switched to one of self-confidence, she ran into the back.

"Alright, how can I help you?" I got up and returned to the register.

The late morning regulars were my favorite, moving at their own pace, not a care in the world.

Mr. Jennings always comes in at 10:15 am on the dot to get the morning paper.

Mrs. Lance is always late for work, but absolutely must get her canned coffee, and some donuts for her office. It's probably why they haven't fired her yet.

The time steadily went on. I kept checking in on Mil, who was working in earnest. Stocking wasn't terribly complicated as far as tasks go, but can be a little confusing with like-named items. She took her time and read each one carefully.

Before we knew it the morning was over.

"That looked a little exhausting, but you really knew what you were doing… Oh my god! I never got your name!" she shrieked.

"Oh, I'm Kenta, most people call me Ken."

"I'm sorry I never asked Ken… Am I everybody? Can I call you Ken? Or should I call you Kenta? This is my first job, I don't know what I should be doing."

"Mil, you're fine. Ken is great."

She calmed down, but I could still tell her heart was pounding.

"The lunch rush is next." I looked around the store. Mil had done a good job of keeping everything stocked up as the customers bought stuff. It was actually more tidy than normal. "Hey how about we get you on the register next? I'll teach you how to use it… Did Marcus set you up on it when he offered you the job?"

"Yes, Mr. Bright had me create a login."

"Okay, go ahead and open your register. I'll support you, alright?"

"Aaaaah… R-right!" Her hands were clenched as she gave herself a little, "I can do this!" under her breath. It brought a smirk to my face.

The bell rang, and kept ringing, as the lunch rush began. Customer after customer flooded the store, grabbing snacks, quick bites, premade sandwiches and the like.

"Ken, this doesn't have a price when I scan it." She had leaned in pretty close, I could actually smell her perfume. Floral, with a hint of fruitiness. I guessed this must be popular with girls her age. "Ken?" she continued.

"Oh!" I snapped back to reality. "Here, if you look at the catalog. It's fruit, so we have to manually enter it."

"I see." Mil was a fast learner. Moments after showing her a shortcut she was using it and modifying it to fit the situation.

Before long, the lunch rush had passed, and I was slumped into a chair. Lunch always takes a lot out of me. My stomach groaned.

"Oh! I forgot to eat, no wonder I'm so sluggish."

"Holy crap! When did you wake up?"

"When was it… 5:30 am?"

"Ken! That's so bad! It's after 1:00 pm! Go eat something. I can handle it up here."

It was cute that someone so small was trying to push me towards the back. It was also odd, I wasn't used to having someone look out for me, it was kind of nice.

"Alright, I'm going. I'm just back there if you need me. Don't feel bad about asking!" I bopped her lightly on the top of her head.

"You got it. Enjoy your break!"

I went to the back, and grabbed one of the premade sandwiches. I took a seat on an upside down bucket and peeled back the plastic cover of my meal. The fridge in the back always had a few sodas in it. Marcus didn't usually care if we helped ourselves to a drink while on the clock, but just so it wouldn't look like we are stealing to some nosey customers, he just asked that we get it from the back fridge.

I gulped down my drink, another classic example of me forgetting about my needs, I hadn't drank anything since I woke up. The sandwich was good, and did the trick in a pinch. I looked at the clock.

Then there was a loud thud, and then a shrill scream. Without realizing it, I was already pushing through the doorway back into the store.

"I… I'm sorry." Mil had made herself small behind the register, her head was down, and she was visibly trembling.

"Sorry? You idiot. I'm your dad's best friend for crying out loud. Give me a discount!" The greasy looking drunk was curled over the counter, cheeks beat red framing his massive, round nose.

"I can't. I…"

"Mil, everything okay?" I interjected.

"Buzz off twerp! This doesn't concern you."

"I'd say it does. We don't offer discounts to friends or relatives here. You don't like that, take it up with corporate."

"He thinks he's so funny, huh?" The drunk slumped off the counter, his body was swaying back and forth.

"Sir, I am asking you to leave. Here, you can have this water on me. Don't you have someplace better to be?" I grabbed a water bottle from the check out cooler and handed it out towards him.

"Water? I don't want water. Booze! Give me booze ya chump!" He smacked the water from my hand, stumbled backward, and just like in a cartoon, wound up his arm, readying a punch.

"Ken!" Mil yelled.

He swung at me, but he was no boxer. He was very sloppy and telegraphed it. I stepped out of the way, and his momentum brought him right to the floor, the impact of which had knocked him out cold.

"Are you, alright?" Mil was peering from behind the counter.

"I'm fine. Didn't even touch me." I grinned back at her. "Alright, let's get this guy on the bench outside…"

I crouched, put his arm around my neck, and brought him up to his feet.

"Oh man, he stinks. Mil, can you call the cops? I think this guy could use some time in the drunk tank." I brought him out the door and set him down on a bench.

Before long, the cops had come and carted our drunk friend off as intended. After giving a statement, I returned inside.

"Well, that's that." I approached Mil. "You alright?"

"Just a little shook up."

I walked over and stood beside her. She was still very small, her eyes rarely leaving the floor.

"So, do you know him?"

"Yeah. He's a friend of my dad's."

"Ah, so that must have been a little awkward, huh?"

"Something like that."

The bell chimed.

"Looks like you had an eventful day. Were those the cops I saw?" Marcus entered, wearing a letterman's jacket and aviator sunglasses, he had a vibe that was very Marcus.

"Hey Marcus. Yeah, midday drunks. Always fun," I mused.

"Ken's been good to you, right Millicent?" Marcus swung his arm around me and tostled my hair.

"Yes Mr. Bright, Kenta's been a great teacher."

"Great, is definitely the word I would use, and kind of an idiot. Today was his day off and he spent the whole day here anyway… Speaking of, where the hell is Jessie?"

"Knowing him, he is probably locked in his room, hasn't seen daylight since his last shift and lost track of any concept of time," I said.

"He isn't writing again is he?"

"Apparently his next big screenplay."

"God, we'll never see him." Marcus walked around the counter and grabbed an apron.

"Wait… Today was your day off?" Mil looked terrified.

"Alright you two. Thanks for the hard work. Get out of here, you're done for today." Marcus opened his register.

"Thanks Marcus." I took off my apron and hung it on the rack.

Mil was frozen with guilt.

"Hey, Millicent. Don't stress about Ken. He may not look it, but he's actually very reliable. If he stayed to help you, it was because he wanted to. Alright? Now get out of here. I'm not paying you overtime."

Mil nodded and walked into the back.

Within moments we were standing outside, I had grabbed a drink as we exited, so I was sipping on it. She stood next to me silent.

"You alright?"

"I'm nervous."

"Why? If it's alright that I ask."

"I am hoping my dad doesn't find out that I am working here."

This seemed like a sensitive topic. It was probably best if I didn't pry any further.

"Oh yeah, alright. I can see that. Dad's can be overbearing."

"Right…" She brushed some hair behind her ear, and turned to face me.

My eyes met hers. Big, green, sparkling. Kind, but a hint of sadness. And for a moment, time slowed to a standstill.

"Thanks for making my first day a memorable one, Ken."