Counter attack

R eva pulled the corn muffin and coffee container from the brown paper bag and set them on the counter. She tore off a chunk of the muffin and took a dainty bite, brushing crumbs off the glass with her long fingernails.

“Reva—what are you doing?” Francine stepped up beside her, an angry expression on her face.

“Eating a muffin,” Reva replied coolly. She held up a crumbly chunk. “Want a bite?”

“But you’re twenty-five minutes late!” Francine cried shrilly, pointing to the clock above the doorway. “You know you were supposed to be at the counter first thing this morning. It’s a good thing I came in early today. I had to cover for you.”

Reva concentrated on pulling the lid off the coffee container. “I know. I couldn’t decide which sweater to wear.” She turned to Francine to better show off her pale blue sweater. “Do you like this one? It’s cashmere.”

“I just wiped off the counter,” Francine complained. “You’re getting crumbs all over it.”

“It’s a very crumbly muffin,” Reva replied with a full mouth. “It’s pretty good though. Sure you don’t want a little? Oh. I forgot. You’re on a diet.”

Reva chuckled to herself, watching crumbs fall onto the glass counter. She took a sip of coffee, the hot liquid burning her tongue, then set down the container in a round brown puddle. “I think this cup is leaking. What a mess.”

Francine let out an angry cry. “I’m going to make a phone call,” she said through clenched teeth. “You’d better get this cleaned up before Ms. Smith sees it.”

“Yeah. Sure thing,” Reva replied under her breath. She watched Francine storm off toward the employees’ lounge. “What’s her problem anyway?”

Reva raised the last piece of corn muffin to her mouth. Then she studied herself in the mirror, adjusting the floppy navy blue hat she had pulled over her hair.

The hat was the real reason Reva had been late. She just couldn’t get it to sit right. It had taken nearly half an hour. She planned “accidentally” to run into Victor later, and she hoped he liked it.

Gazing down the aisle, she saw two people approaching slowly. A boy and a girl. They appeared to be seventeen or eighteen.

The boy was tall and dark and carried a raincoat over one arm. The girl was shorter, shabbily dressed, kind of plain, very thin.

What a bleach job, Reva thought scornfully, staring at the girl’s hair. Didn’t anyone tell her you have to do the roots too?

Reva picked up her coffee and turned away. I hope those two losers don’t come over here, she thought. I’ll just tell them ankle bracelets are in the basement. Or maybe I’ll suggest they exchange tattoos for Christmas.

She chuckled. I’m so nasty, she thought, feeling very pleased with herself.

She found herself thinking about Victor again. She had called him late the night before. He had promised to break a date with Pam and see her instead.

I know I’m going to hate myself for this, Reva thought, smiling. But it’s kind of fun while it lasts....

It’s so boring around here. I need a challenge.

Like Victor.

She glanced up to see the two tacky teenagers approaching her. Why don’t they go shoplift in some other department? she thought coldly.

Suddenly the blond girl dived to the floor. The dark-haired boy jumped back, a startled expression on his face.

Reva turned around, pretending not to be aware of them.

“My contact!” the girl cried from down on the floor. “I dropped my contact lens!”

Reva took a long sip of coffee.

“Help me. I can’t see a thing!” the girl cried shrilly.

Leaning on the counter, Reva glanced down. The girl was on her hands and knees, running a hand over the black and white squares of tile.

The boy suddenly stepped up in front of her, his raincoat still draped over one arm. He’s kind of good-looking, Reva thought. I like those dark, smoldering eyes.

“Can somebody help me?” the girl called from the floor. She had crawled between the perfume counter and the side door to the store. “I can’t see a thing.”

Reva, pretending not to hear, lowered her head, trying to hide under the floppy hat. She busied herself straightening the sleeves of her cashmere sweater.

“Can you help us?” the boy asked. “I don’t have my glasses with me. I’m as blind as she is.”

Reva took another sip of coffee before answering. “Sorry. I’m on my break.”

“I can’t find it!” the girl called.

“Couldn’t you come out and help us?” the boy pleaded. “It’ll only take a second.”

Reva set down the cup. “Sorry. I’m not allowed to leave my post.”

To Reva’s surprise, the boy uttered an angry curse.

“Hey—!” she shouted as he grabbed her arm with both hands and started to pull her through the cosmetics counter’s swinging door and toward the exit.

Дата добавления: 2015-07-20