Chapter VIII
August 16, 2000
William watched Emily walk into the gas station for her last shift. She was two
hours late and appeared to have already started celebrating.
It had been the best summer of his life. He wished it didn’t have to end, but she
had to go back to school and he had to continue working.
“Whoo!” she shouted as she rammed into the rack of newspapers, almost knocking it
over. “It’s my last shift!”
William smiled and rolled his eyes at the same time.
Emily stared at the rack for a second. William wondered if she was so buzzed she
thought the rack had gained sentience and attacked her for leaving the gas station.
“Did you—” she hiccupped before continuing, “—clock me in?”
“I couldn’t,” William replied. “Mr. Stanza was here and didn’t leave until like ten
minutes ago.”
“Fucking cokehead,” she said with a bit of venom. William still wasn’t sure if his
boss was snorting coke. He didn’t actually know how coke really affected people
besides what he saw in the movies. He didn’t know how to respond so he shook his
head in agreement.
Emily walked behind the counter and gave him a hug.
“Thanks fir letting me sleepin,” she slurred.