RYLIE

BEFORE TODAY, I never saw an angry customer in action before my eyes. Sure, I've seen angry customers on videos—or at least heard of them—but in the end, I haven't seen one personally. Today is a normal Sunday, right before dinnertime, too. I decided to stop by Taco Fiesta to purchase tacos for Mom and I to take home. The angry woman who was in front of me in line yelled at the staff, all while holding to her daughter's hand, who seemed like she wanted to wander off because she constantly pulled on her mother's jacket sleeve with her other hand.

"Mommy," the child whined, yanking her hand away from hers. "I'm hungry! I want to eat now."

"Stay quiet, honey. You wouldn't still be hungry if certain people would get your order ready faster,," the woman snarled to the boy who was located at the cash register, who looked like he was about to snap at the lady, but gulped down the urge.

"Ma'am, I'm sorry about all this. Your order will be finished soon," he insisted in a calm manner, peeking back at the kitchen area. He grabbed a small, kid-sized cup from below the counter, dashing towards the drink fountain afterwards. He filled the cup with ice and a ruby red drink that seemed to be fruit punch. The nozzle made a whirring noise after the cup was full as the employee attached a cap to the drink, grabbing an individually packaged straw. He slid the drink across the counter, handing it to the little girl who mumbled a satisfied "thank you" to him.

I guess I haven't paid attention to his features or to his voice because he was oddly familiar. From under the raven black hat he was wearing, I could see dark brown naturally curly hair in the back as he turned to adjust something. It was Elias, obviously. I was a bit surprised that he works here, and even more surprised that he managed to deal with an angry customer so peacefully. He didn't snap or walk away to get one of his co-workers to deal with the lady. He remained calm, which I have to admit is something that I probably wouldn't do if that were my job.

When the woman's order was finally ready, Elias gently handed it to her, which her daughter took from her. The woman scoffed and held her daughter's hand, sauntering off to the nearest table. I stepped forward, my hands gripped against the hard surface of the counter.

"Hi, Rylie. I didn't expect to see you here," he sighed with relief. "I'm sorry I didn't take your order beforehand, but what can I get for you?"

"Hey, it's okay. I'm not in much of a rush, anyway," I insisted, my head shot up to the large menu overhead. "I'd like to have a mixed taco and nacho combo with two cinnamon rolls, please."

"Alright, do you want any drinks?" He questioned while typing everything into the register.

"Yes, may I have two small Sprites?" I requested in sync.

"Sure thing. Your total will be twenty-four ninety-five. Cash, credit, or debit?"

"Cash," I said, reaching into the pocket of my hoodie. I fished out a twenty dollar bill, as well as a five dollar bill. I handed it to him and he placed it into the register, cupping a few coins into his hand for change. He dropped it into my hand and I placed it in my pocket.

"Your order will be ready in a few minutes," he announced as he pulled out two cups from under the counter. He inserted ice into both cups and put both cups under the Sprite nozzle on the drinking fountain. A series of disruptive whirring blasted after he finished using the machine. After the caps were placed on the cups, he pulled a cup holder from the end of the counter and placed both cups on them, the straws in the middle.

"It must've been a lot to deal with customers l-like . . . those," I whispered, gesturing to the lady who made a scene earlier.

"Tell me about it," Elias rolled his eyes. "I had to resist every urge to not snap at her."

"You did a great job remaining calm, you know. If I were you at that time, I would've snapped right away, to be honest," I admitted, a dry laugh escaping my mouth.

"Thanks, and I tried my best not to," he chuckled, adjusting his hat. An employee placed my order on the counter behind him with a whistle. He gently held the handle of the thin, colorful cardboard box and handed it to me.

"Thank you," I lifted the cup holder with one hand, the fingers of my other hand grasped to the box. "I have to get going now. My mother is waiting for me outside and I think I've taken long enough. I'll see you tomorrow, Elias."

"Bye," a broad smile spread across his face.

I mustered a smile and sauntered past the tables that led to the exit. When I reached outside, the aroma of food cooking and traditional music playing came to a halt. Now, the only thing I smelled and heard was gas and the blare of car horns, as well as the engine of Mom's car running. Her car was parked directly outside the restaurant, so I entered, placing the cup holder on the floor before I got seated.

"What took you so long, Rylie?" She questioned curiously, putting down her phone to place it in her handbag.

"It was busy inside," I stated briefly as I fastened my seatbelt.

"Oh, alright," she nodded, tying her mocha brown wavy hair into a ponytail before setting the car wheels on reverse.

I purposely left out the part where I was speaking with Elias, mainly because of the reaction she could've had. She wouldn't be mad or anything—she would just get too excited because I was "finally speaking with someone new for once," as she would say. My best friend, Nora, was practically the only person I've spoken with that wasn't family for the past few years. Mom always encouraged me to make new friends and talk to people more often, but that alone isn't the easiest thing. It's never been, and it probably never will be. Maybe I've made a little bit of progress, but those are just . . . baby steps.

The rest of the car ride home was silent. The only thing that could be heard was the whirring of the air conditioner. It's the season of fall, but it's quite hot outside, specifically in the afternoon. The sun was shining way too bright for my liking. I'll always prefer cloudy days—or better yet—rainy days, and it's already clear why. Rainy days just feel more . . . comfortable.

Once we got home, I immediately took the food to the kitchen table after taking off my shoes. Mom always hated when shoes were worn in the house. She always complained of how unsanitary and gross it was to take germs from outside to take them inside. I couldn't blame her, to be honest. It's more comfortable to not wear shoes—unless their cozy bed slippers in the house.

I opened the box to reveal the mouthwatering food inside. Everything was either wrapped in paper or packaged in a disposable container. I set everything on the table, as well as the drinks while Mom placed two plates for both of us on the table. When everything was done, we both sat down and dug in. The zesty smell of the tacos prickled my nose, as well as the spicy aroma of guacamole and salsa in the nacho plates. Mexican food was a food that I've always adored, especially when I was younger.

I remember when my father and I went on picnics and we ordered tacos, tortillas, nachos, and just about anything else you could think of. My eyes watered a bit, not in a distressed way, but in a gleeful way. Although it triggered certain memories, it was beautiful to experience at the time.

"So, how was your day?" Mom questioned after opening the lid for the salsa.

"It was fine, I guess, yours?" I replied in sync, unwrapping a hard-shelled taco from its wrapping.

"Mine was okay, but work has been tiring. I couldn't even cook dinner for us tonight," she sighed, rubbing her eye temples with her fingers.

For the past few years, Mom had to work twice as much as she used to. Being a single mother had a heavy toll on her. Keeping a roof over our heads, paying dozens of bills, providing food for us, and just about everything else meant she had to work continuously, about twice as much as she worked before. 

It would've been partially reasonable for her to take some kind of break, but would that be possible? No matter what, there is some money that'll need to be stored just in case something happens. But what exactly are the possibilities of something happening? At the end of the day, they bills have to paid and food has to be put on the table. It's unknown what unexpected event will happen at any time.