Diary of a Broken Girl: Day 63

Her fear comes to life!

It was 1:05 and Kat was late for work. As she entered the store, she practically jogged towards the back to clock in. Once she finished, she went over to her locker to put away her bag and coat. As she was fumbling with her name tag, Fred walked in.

“Whoa Kat, you really fill out those jeans. Need some help with you name tag?” He reached for the tag that just so happen to be on her upper left b**b, but Kat quickly slapped his hand away. Fred was such a horn dog; he had been asking Kat out ever since she started her job. He was average height, red hair, a few freckles and had a mustache. He thought he was irresistible to women even though Kat has seen him get slap three different times by three different women.

“You are such a slime ball.” She said.

“I love it when you talk dirty to me.”

“Hey Fred, did you get our ‘no tolerance for sexual harassment’ notice in the mail?” One of the store managers, Stephanie, appeared from behind him. She has soft, dark brown hair, was short and had an attitude that befitted a Latina.

“Yes ma’am I did, read it three times actually.”

“Oh good, Now I need you to go and fold some sweaters in the stock room.”

“Yes ma’am, right away.” Fred left as quickly as he came in.

“Why doesn’t he ever hit on you? Not his type?” Kat asked.

“Girl please, I’m everybody’s type. He had to find out that I’m a black belt the hard way.”

“How?”

“Well, it started with him grabbing my a*s and ended with me giving him a black eye and a kick in the groining.”

Kat started laughing. “No way!”

“Yup, now every time I’m around, he’s the perfect gentleman.”

“Well then I’m glad you’re on duty today.”

They both giggled and headed towards the front. Stephanie told Kat to go around the store and start re-racking clothes. She decided to start on the Men’s side and work her way around.

She was halfway done when she bumped into Crystal who was re-stocking the shoe racks.

“Hey Crystal.” She said.

“Oh, hey Kat.” She replied, but didn’t look at her. It looked as if she was trying to hide her face.

“Everything ok?”

“Yea, yea everything‘s fine. I’m just re-stocking the shoe racks. Those new Sketchers Shoes we got are our best seller.” Crystal answered still not looking at Kat.

“Yea so I see.” She circled around her trying to look at her, but she just turned the other way. “Crystal what’s going on? Why won’t you look at me?” Kat grabbed her arm and turned her around. When she looked at her face, she saw that she had a huge black eye. “Oh my God Crystal. What happened?” She didn’t know why she asked since she already knew the answer.

“I um, I was taking a box down from my attic and it slipped and hit me in the eye. I’m a little embarrassed.” She replied with a forced laugh.

Kat stood there staring at her. Crystal saw the look she gave and knew that she didn’t believe her. It was pretty obvious what really happened.

“Look Kat, he didn’t mean it, ok. He had a bad day and I should’ve known better than to get in his way. I’m ok, really.”

“Oh Crystal, that’s bullshit! If he has a bad day, then that’s his problem. He should not take it out on you.”

“It’s just a black eye.”

“Oh and I suppose that bruise on your arm is just a bruise.”

“That was an accident also!”

“What the hell is wrong with you? Why are you defending him? He treats you like crap and abuses you! Why the hell are you with him?!”

“It’s none of your business Kat alright! Just forget it.”

“None of my business? You’re my friend and I care about you.”

“If you’re really my friend then you’d just drop it ok?”

“No! No I won’t drop it. He’s bad news and you need to leave him! You can stay with me, we’ll get an apartment and if he still bothers you then we can go to the cops and get a restraining order and…”

“STOP! I’m not leaving Damien ok! He takes care of me; he pays my bills and my rent…without him I’d have nothing.”

Kat was shocked by what was just said. She always viewed Crystal as a strong, confident woman; now all she sees is a weak, sad girl.

It was quiet for awhile, Kat looked around and saw a teenage girl look at a tank top, a mother looking at shoes for her child, and an old couple looking at sweaters. Her life has taken so many dramatic turns; she forgot what it was like to lead a normal day.

“Crystal…don’t do this to yourself. Do you realize how pathetic you sound? Don’t trap yourself to this life. Take control…start over.”

“And I suppose that’s what you did right. Oh wait, I forgot, you just ran away from it. Instead of going back to California and picking up where you left off, you just drove, hopping to catch a break. So whose rally pathetic Kat? Me, for staying with a bad guy who gives me a life, or you, for being too afraid to start one.”

It was like a knife to the heart for Kat and Crystal just stood there giving her an icy look. A lady came up and asked where the orthopedic shoes were, Crystal took her to the other end of the shoe section, leaving Kat there on the verge of tears.

She took a deep breath and went back to re-racking the clothes. Both girls avoided each other throughout the day. They stayed at opposite ends of the store, Kat tried to talk to Crystal once more, but it was pointless. She either walked away or ignored her.

It was finally closing time and she was walking over to her Mustang when she saw Damien pull up on his Harley.  As soon as he stopped, Crystal came running out and sat behind him. Kat watched them take off; she shook her head and got into the driver seat.

She was in her hotel, lying on her bed looking up at the ceiling. The argument was still fresh in her mind and the words Crystal said still stung. She started thinking back on the last four years. How scared she was being on her own after her parents left, how hurt she felt when Vincent left her and how unsure she was when she was with Mark. She let out a sigh and took out her notebook. She had 10 pages left and the cover was faded.

Dear Journal,

I had an argument with Crystal today. She came to work with a black eye and tried to defend her boyfriend about it. I just don’t understand why she won’t leave him! Why she won’t start over! But then again I’m the last person who should talk about starting over. During the argument she said I was scared to start a new life. The thing is that she might be right, I could’ve started a life with Mark, but I got scared and left. I can’t think about that now, Crystal needs me. Damien is extremely bad news and I need to get her away from him. NO MATTER WHAT!

Reviews

[Gary H]

Somewhere theres a thing that you can add notes for the writer and not have to write in a review. Apologies, I don't know where it is or how it works. I say this because you have spelt bullshit wrong - unless it's a US spelling - and that is the main part of the story. I like the work creation. As usual you could expand and colour in the picture of the work area but I know you are leaving these points to be considered later when you finish.

The first paragraph, second sentence, seems to struggle a little. Maybe play around with a few variations? Here's my thoughts -

She needed to clock in as soon as possible and ran quickly through the store.

Also 'As she watched them take off she turned to her car shaking her head.' - I wasn't too sure who each 'she' was or whether they were the same person. And finally I think the last paragragh (before the journal entry) would read better starting with 'Later Kat was in her hotel room etc'

This is very creative and keeps the interest going so well done and I look forward to more. How many are you aiming for?

[James Mayfield]

Something good seems to have come from the exchange in any case. It looks as if she's starting to get a real handle on what seems to be going on in her life. Another great chapter.

[Ice Queen of the Vampir..]

Mmm, great chapter. I sure hope she can help Crystal, so write more!!! lol Nice work!!!

Heather

[JC Fox]

This is coming along great! Keep up the good work!

[Diana Owen Busy with Li..]

another awesome chapter.. I love this story.

[Jenny Davis]

Very good chapter...I really hope she decides to go back to Mark...maybe take Krystal with her :)