Another day at work. Around noon Dad comes in and sits down. Mr. Charles comes in moments later. Dad waves him over. Mr. Charles sighs and joins Dad. "Hi, Daddy. Hi, Mr. Nelson." Margaret says," What would you two like today?"

They place their orders and Mr Charles instructs her" Give me the bill when we're through."

What the Hell? He thinks Dad can't pick up a diner tab? Now I'm pissed!

"Don't worry I've got it," Dad smiles

"Yes, Mr. Nelson". Dad gets a smile from her and Mr.Charles gets a glare.

After Margaret leaves, Mr. Charles makes this big show of telling Dad how he is only letting Margaret work here because the hours are compatible with her writing class at the local college. Personally, I think Mr. Charles is hoping Margaret will meet some college boy there and she'll leave me. There's no reason she'd do that.

Margaret serves our fathers and I pass by them as I pick up dishes. "Prince! When did you start working here?" Dad asks.

"Recently." I reply.

"And he's great at it. Very responsible." Pete says.

"You don't know where your own son is working?" scoffs Mr. Charles

"I just didn't mention it! I've got more work to do," I walk off. Yes, that should've been said more politely, but I felt defensive.

Right after finishing his plate, Mr. Charles leaves. Dad comes over to me."You should've told me you got a job." he insists.

"Well, I only planned to keep it for a month. Owed Margaret some money..." I start.

"First off don't borrow money. Second, you signed on for a summer job, you're keeping it all summer. You're supposed to honor your commitments. That is what being a man means! Prince, come over to my house when I'm done with work"

"Yes, Sir"

After Dad leaves Shauna comes in, wearing the skimpiest of sundresses. "Hello, Princey. I heard you were working here."

"Yeah..."I start as she sits down at the table beside me.

Margaret passes by and Shauna scolds,"Aren't you supposed to take my order?"

"Nope." replies Margaret in a I couldn't care less way. This isn't her section. If there was a waitress shortage or the place was busy Margaret would take an order in another section though. "I will get someone to help you" Margret assures her.

"See that you do" Shauna turns to me and asks what I like here. After I point out a couple things she says,"Well, you look good. Let's go somewhere after your shift."

Sharply turning around, Margaret declares," Shauna! He is not on the menu! You can't have him to go!"

Pete laughs so hard he has to sit down. Since I'm in Pete's presence I want to be kind, even if it is just Shauna so instead of insulting her for being trashy, I tell her I need to get these dishes I'm carrying to the sink. Kevin, the dishwasher is at the sink in the kitchen. "Ever have a chick like you when you weren't interested?" I ask.

"Yes. Sort of. A neighbor girl who was 12 had a huge crush on me. Wouldn't leave me alone but you don't want to tell a little girl to go jump in the lake. Eventually she liked someone in her class so everything turned out okay." He replies laughing.

When I tell him about Shauna, he looks out the kitchen door. "Whoa! She looks like one of those girls my aunt says are 'fast'"

"You going to chase that?" I joke.

"Hell, no. That's a girl you don't tell your mom you know. Looks like Margaret has her fake smile on."

"Familiar with it?"

"Yes, before you started working here, her dad brought guys here to meet her. She'd give them that smile and get through it."

This isn't surprising. My mind is made up, I'm working all summer so Margaret isn't subjected to that! I manage to stay busy in the kitchen while Shauna eats. She comes to the kitchen door when she's paid her bill! "Miss, employees only." Pete informs her.

"Prince won't mind." Shauna says.

"Well, I do- it's MY kitchen"

Pete sticks his head in, "Coast clear Prince-she's gone. You ladies' man" he chuckles.

Eventually, I have to go see Dad. "What did you want?" I ask.

"I never want to hear that you borrowed money again! Do you understand me?"He hollers in my face. "You're lucky I'm not taking my belt off and beating your rear end!"

"Dad! When I borrowed the money, I was planning to pay it back as soon as possible so I got the busboy job. And Margaret suggested the loan-which I ended up paying back out of my birthday cash!"

"Don't talk back..."

"I was just trying to explain..."

"Son...let me explain something to you! Girls like Margaret, no matter how sweet, don't understand how life works! They are spoiled, coddled and when the real world strikes they can't handle it!"

"What are you getting at? Everything is fine."

"Listen to me: be very careful with her the last thing you want to do is have an accident with a girl with her upbringing."

Wide eyed, I stare at him. "Margaret and I aren't sleeping together." I say.

"Keep it that way. Just do. "

Nodding is the only response I can think of. Guess Dad is just mad about the loan. But it was her idea.