The Sun Always Shines on T.V.

The man made it back home. He and his girlfriend walked up to the door. She held his hand. How was his mother going to react to seeing him again? Jules was probably already inside. That all sounded like a crowded house already.

The man felt someone nudge him in the side. He turned his head. His girlfriend peered up over her shades.

“It’s going to be okay,” she said. “She’s your mother.”

“That’s the problem,” he said. “You don’t know how she is.” The woman tilted her head.

“What do you mean?” she asked. The man shook his head. How could he explain it to her? She wouldn’t get it. They might as well get this over with. The man rang the bell. He took a breath and stepped back. The couple watched as the door opened. Muriel froze with dread on her face.

“Oh…” she said.

“Hi mum,” the man said.

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Crusher rubbed the back of his head.

“This is hard,” he complained. Annie turned her head.

“What do you mean?” she asked. Crusher lowered his hand as he frowned.

“There are so many items on this list,” he complained. “I don’t think I can remember all of them.” His aunt rubbed him on the back.

“Take your time,” she whispered. “You have to know all of these items for the customers.” Annie picked up the notepad.

“What are all of the drinks we serve?” she asked. Crusher twisted up his face as he tried to think.

“Tea… milk… water… juice… um… um…” he said. The boy tried to think. Annie gave him a sympathetic smile.

“That’s a good start,” she said. “What else?” Crusher looked like he was heading for a mental crash. Annie lowered the notepad as she frowned. She gently patted him on the shoulder.

“Why don’t we just take a break,” she said. “You look like you’re hurting.” Crusher pressed his lips together and nodded. Still, his aunt wasn’t going to give up. She was going to make it work.

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Muriel frowned as she looked at everyone in the living room. Clyde, Lewis, Aisha, Liz, Jules, Tre, and his girlfriend all sat in the living room.

“Who is this?” she asked. Tre put his arm around the woman’s shoulders.

“This is my girl, Kate,” he said.

“Nice to meet you,” the woman said. Muriel frowned with her eyebrow raised.

“Yeah, nice to meet you,” she said in a flat tone. She turned and walked down the hall. Tre turned to his sister.

“Was it something I said?” he asked. Jules shrugged and shook her head. No one else had an answer. Kate leaned in close to him.

“I’m sure she’s fine,” Aisha insisted. They heard a door shut down the hall.

“Nope,” Clyde said. Nobody else had anything else to say.

End