My Brother's Best Friend

Chapter 6

Natalia

I want to make sure I turn in every application I filled out before I have to go home.

I walk to the biggest shopping center in town. Some of the jobs I am applying for are there. The one I am most excited for, is a boutique. The lady is nice and tells me she is looking for a cashier in the afternoons. I leave the application with her, and she tells me they will give me a call if I meet the requirements. I have no work experience. I had to lie on the applications, but no-one has to know that.

Next, I head over to the grocery store where my brother works. How cool would it be if we worked together? I would get to see him more.

I leave the application in the front and I look around for Blake, but I don't find him. My stomach is grumbling so badly, so I decide it is best I leave. It doesn't stop me from taking a look at everything as I make my way out though. I don't have any money to buy anything to eat, but hopefully I will be able to work and shop here soon.

I am about to walk out the door, when an older woman comes up to me.

"Hello young lady. Do you think you can help a little old lady out? I will buy you anything you want from this store if you say yes," she offers, and I have a light-bulb moment.

I don't have money for a gift, but I can get Michael a cake. This will also guarantee I will eat something today. I didn't want to show up empty-handed either, so this is literally my luckiest day ever.

"Sure, what can I help you with?" I smile brightly.

She hands me a piece of paper. I unfold it and it's a grocery list.

"Can you help me get my shopping done and loaded into my car?"

"It's my friend's birthday. If I shop your list, can I get him a birthday cake?" I have to ask, because I am sure cakes are expensive. I just can't believe I called Michael my friend. I just share my locker with him. That is it. That is all.

She stares at me for a moment, then smiles.

"It is so nice of you to think about getting someone else something instead of yourself. If you don't want anything for yourself, then you can get him a cake. You can also get him a card and a nice teddy. Once you are done with the shopping, we can go look at what they have available," she tells me. I refuse to take advantage and still ask for something for myself. This woman is already being too generous. What she offered will do.

I go through her list, throwing all the items in the cart.

"Alright, done,"

She looks surprised at how quickly I got her shopping done, but I have to get out of here to finish dropping off my applications.

I can't get home late. That would be bad for me.

"Wow, thank you my darling. You seriously just saved me so much time here. I run a business and having to do food shopping and chores at home is just so much harder and so boring to me. I am getting older and can not juggle it all anymore. Don't tell anyone though. This will be our little secret." She giggles. "Now, let's go get your items and go pay,"

No-one besides Drew has ever asked me to keep a secret. Asking someone to keep a secret is very personal. That means that the person is putting their trust in you. This should be taken very seriously, so I nod.

I can't believe my luck. She is really letting me get this.

I am not sure what Mike's favorite flavor is.

The only time I ever get cake is when Andrew brings leftovers over for his birthday or when he brings me a cake on my birthday. It's always chocolate fudge cake, so when I see the chocolate cake, I grab it.

I ask her one last time if she is sure. I really don't want to take advantage of her. I would have helped her for nothing in return. She says yes and even when I tell her the cake is enough, she insists that I should get him a card and a stuffy.

We go into that aisle and I spot the perfect one immediately. It's an ugly, awkward zebra that just stands out from anything else. It is so ugly, and the stripes are so off. It has these long eyelashes. It is a hot mess zebra, but she is perfect. I grab his card last, and we head for checkout.

It's crazy how a grocery store sells toys and other things that are not food items.

I load everything onto the belt, and they ring her up. She looks at me and smiles. I wonder how life would be if she was my grandma or if I had one. I shake my head for even having these silly thoughts.

I bag everything for her and begin pushing her cart to the exit.

I turn to make sure she is following me. I need her to tell me where her car is.

I find the cashier handing her a bunch of balloons. She rushes over with the balloons in the air. If there were just a couple more balloons, she would surely fly away.

She yaps the whole time we walk to her car.

She asks me questions. I give short answers. I mostly lie to her though. I can't be honest with anyone. I refuse to let anyone feel sorry for me.

I load her trunk with her groceries and help her into her car.

"Thank you my darling. You are a lifesaver. Are you busy tomorrow around this time? I could use more help at my hair salon. I am looking for someone to sweep up the hair and do some front desk wiping and help me close up. I'm getting too old. I can't bend over and get the hair up anymore. My bones hurt so refilling and cleaning up is getting harder. I was recently diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, and everything is complicated. I need a personal assistant to help at the salon, to my Dr's appointments and at home too," she says.

"Yes, I know someone. Me. I am looking for a job. I was actually only here because I applied for positions at the boutique, and at the grocery store," I say.

"Oh, so, you are looking for a job? Sounds like we both need each other and our meeting was meant to be," She smiles and something in me twists. I am not used to people being so nice to me.

"Sounds like it," I say softly. I have to make sure she is being serious before I get excited.

"My 4 children and 18 grandchildren all forgot about me and my husband. They are all too busy with their lives, and don't help us or check on us, so I am trying to navigate my business, sick husband, appointments and regular errands and my disease all on my own. I need help and you proved yourself today. You have the job if you want it," she tells me.

I could cry.

I am sure she is what a fairy godmother is.

"I will take it," I say.

She hands me a card.

"Be here tomorrow at 3pm. I will train you and explain everything. Welcome to the family. I already know you will fit in perfectly!"

"Thank you. I won't let you down. Before I start though, I do have to tell you that I am in school, but I am out of school by 10:30am. I am advanced in my credits and only have two classes. I also have a school club once a week, and if anything else comes up, I can let you know ahead of time. My school isn't far away either. If you need me to do anything else earlier, I can. If not, I will be here by 3pm." I make sure to be honest in case something comes up with school stuff. I don't want her to say I didn't tell her or risk her firing me.

"I assumed you would be in school. You still look young. That is why I said 3pm, but if you are available earlier, then arrive when you can, and we will go from there. I will let you make your own schedule. I am also happy to hear that you are doing so well in school. Keep it up. We will talk about all this and your pay tomorrow. Now, move. I have to go check on my husband. Make sure he hasn't k1lled himself," she laughs and shoos me. She closes her door and turns her car on and speeds off. I stand here not believing my luck.

"Salon Venetian

Owner: Sally Venetian"

I read the card and am shocked to read that name.

The Venetians are one of the richer families around here.

I am just thankful that I stuck around long enough to run into her. Whatever was at play, I hope it happens more often. It's about time I had a little good luck. I finally feel like I can smile a genuine smile. She is letting me make my own schedule. I can't believe it.

I feel the lonely tear fall from my face. I grip the card in my hand before putting it in my pocket.

I feel a little silly standing here holding a cake, balloon, card and zebra.

I don't know what to do with all of these things for Michael. I can't bring them inside my house. I go back inside the store and ask the cashier if they have a box I can have. She hands me one, and I place everything neatly inside and I head home. I hide the box in the backyard, somewhere I know no-one will look.

I can't wait to see Michael's face.

I hope he likes chocolate cake.