Build it better

Chapter One

The manager stood at the front of the room. He coughed and scratched behind his ear. He seemed nervous. I didn’t understand why. This wasn’t his orientation. I couldn’t see his name tag from my chair in the back of the break room, but I was pretty sure his name was Seven.

Seven coughed again and then smiled at us. “Welcome to The Fresh Food Market!”

His eyes scanned the six of us and when nobody said anything, he just stared at the floor for a moment. God, I was so embarrassed for this poor old man.

He looked back up at us after a moment. “I am your manager, Steven,”

Oh. I guess that made more sense than Seven.

“Why don’t we start off by taking turns telling everyone a little bit about ourselves and why we are here and what we hope to get from this job.” Seven Steven said.

I am here because my boyfriend is a selfish moron.

I hope to get a paycheck to pay for my lawyer fees.

I also hope I make enough money to hire someone to kick my boyfriend in the face.

“Mam?”

I blinked and redirected my focus back to Seven Steven. He was looking right at me. His wrinkly, bald head and green eyes were staring into my soul.  Apparently, I was starting us off.

I stood up and awkwardly tried to balance my weight on my good leg. This was difficult considering the giant plastic boot on my foot.

I plastered on my best smile. “I am Regan Wells,” I said. “I am here to better myself and become more responsible.”

Seven Steven smiled and I knew my mother would be proud of my generic, cookie cutter response.

“It’s good to have you, Regan.” He said before he moved on to the next new employee.

Eventually, we were released from the misery of Seven Steven’s nervous and awkward introductions and given a tour of the grocery store. It was a small, locally owned joint and they needed extra hands for the fall and winter. The produce section took up the majority of the building, followed by the deli and bakery. There were a few isles of boxed products and canned goods and then two freezer isles in the back of the store.

A different manager not named Seven Steven gave us a history lesson on the market as we walked around, but I had a hard time paying attention to much of anything. I didn’t want to waste my time stacking oranges and spraying vegetables. I didn’t want to learn about Clark County’s most endeared grocery store. I wanted to be outside enjoying the first signs of fall and running. Not that I could run anymore. I could barely walk.

My boyfriend is seriously the worst.

We were led over to the freezer section where an employee was putting away some frozen peas. I pulled my phone out of my pocket to see if I had any messages. Of course I didn’t.

The manager not named Seven Steven called to employee. “Austin?”

My head shot up.

Austin?

Austin looked up at her. “Hm?”

“These are our new hires! New hires, say hello to Austin Peters.”

We all mumbled a hello. I tried to hide my face in my head of dark curls by brushing them in front of my eyes. I also took a step back so I was less out of his direct line of vision.

Austin smiled at the group of us before his eyes found me and settled there. “Regan,” He said. “What are you doing here?”

I blinked a few times. “Working... here,”