Haner to Save the Day

Alana sighed as she cleaned up the table. Three teenagers had eaten in the exact spot before and left a mess on the floor. “I’m not getting paid enough for this shit,” she grumbled to herself, mopping the ketchup on the floor. Once she was done, she asked her supervisor for a break and sat down by the diner bar. She grabbed a can of Coke and took sips from it, hoping the caffeine would begin working sooner than later.

It had been a solid three months since she and her family moved to California. She didn’t know why her parents decided to come along with her when she was content on her own. The real casualty in the situation was Veronica; and Alana knew it. She rubbed her forehead. She really wanted to kill the animosity between herself and her little sister, but she didn’t know how. It also was not helpful that Marco continued to demean Veronica and call her names. Lately, all they did was argue rather than enjoy their time together.

She didn’t want to admit it, but in the back of her mind, she felt the regret creeping in like a wave, washing over her. She did not envision herself having to work at a diner, supporting herself and sometimes her boyfriend. Maybe it wasn’t the smartest decision to move to California without finishing college. It didn’t help that she felt like she was taking care of a child in the form of Marco. She knew he didn’t have an affluential background, but she could never fathom he didn’t work and was not adamant on trying to find a job. How did he have money for anything?

All this negativity clouded Alana’s thoughts. The only good that came out of her dumb choice was her relationship with her parents. She expanded her perspective and came to respect and cherish all the hard work her parents put into work. They came from an immigrant background and truly earned everything they were able to receive. It was the only reason they were able to move away from home and come to California with new jobs before they even left New Jersey. Alana’s heart flourished with admiration and pride knowing she was lucky enough to have her parents.

Hearing a timer in the distance, Alana stood up and went back to work. Working at a diner was not the glorious job she could have imagined, but it helped pay her bills and anything else she could contribute to her parents. It was her nonverbal apology for having them relocate so far away from their friends and family.

The front door opened and tapped the windchimes hanging above it. Alana walked over to the door and welcomed the next group of teens. She inwardly groaned. She had to mentally prepare herself for another round of rude and dirty kids.

As she sat down the two teens, she gave them menus and told them the specials for the day.

Brian raised his eyebrow at Alana. He was surprised she didn’t recognize him, though it didn’t bother him. She was probably fixated on Veronica that day.

After Alana voiced the specials of the day, he and Jimmy ordered burgers and chocolate milkshakes. He shook his head as she walked away to punch their order into the system.

Jimmy’s eyes darted back at Brian and the waitress. “Do you know her?”

“Yeah. That’s Ronnie’s sister.”

“REALLY! Why didn’t she say anything to you?”

Brian shrugged. “I don’t think she remembers me. The day she saw me, they got into a really bad fight.”

Jimmy frowned as the clues connected into a perfect puzzle in his head. “Is that why Chip was in a weird ass funk for a few days?”

“Yeah. She told me she wanted to be cool with her sister, but a bunch of shit happened. She doesn’t know how to make it better.”

“Hm,” Jimmy said slowly. “She never said that to me and I’m her best friend. What have you done to her!” he continued, gripping onto Brian’s shirt.

Brian laughed and smacked his friend’s hand away. “You’re stupid. I was there when it happened.”

Alana brought all the drinks and food to the boys and smiled lightly at them. “I hope you enjoy. If there’s anything I can get you, please don’t hesitate to call me.” She didn’t give them a chance to say thank you before briskly walking away. She heard their entire conversation while cleaning a nearby table. She felt worse than before with this newfound information.

A slow four hours after seeing Brian and Jimmy, Alana was finally home. Her parents were in the living room watching the news and filling out a crossword puzzle. She pecked both their cheeks and made her way upstairs. Her heart began beating erratically out her chest. It felt like she had just run at top speed and couldn’t slow her heart beat.

‘This is stupid. She’s my sister,’ Alana thought standing outside Veronica’s door. Once she found the courage to knock on the white door, Veronica opened it immediately. Her look of curiosity instantly changed to disappointment. Alana felt the sting of rejection but tried her best to hide it.

Clearing her throat, Veronica asked, “Can I help you?”

Nodding, Alana raised her hands. “The baker made cheesecake with cherries on top. Do you want it?”

Veronica raised an eyebrow. “Did you poison it?”

“What the-no I didn’t. Why would I do that?”

“I don’t know. You’re trying to kill me and take my Áo dài.”

Alana rolled her eyes. She didn’t want the pantsuit. Her little sister always chose to be dramatic every chance she had. “Woman shut up and take the cake. I know it’s your favorite.”

“Only because it’s my favorite and no one else likes cherries.” Veronica took the cake, made a move to turn around, but stopped herself. “Thank you.”

Alana shrugged before walking into her own bedroom. She closed her door quietly and grinned. That was the first time she was able to speak to Veronica without having to yell at her. She was so stupid for not thinking to give Veronica her favorite foods from the beginning. Although the teen was tremendously stubborn, food always calmed her, even if it was for a short period of time.

She was happy her baby sister was able to find friends who seemed good for her. It was comforting to know Ronnie made genuine friendships. Back home, Alana remembered other kids wanted to be friends with her simply because their family was a bit wealthier than others. Their family may have appeared to have a lot of money but, their parents were smart savers. They spent money strategically. To the other kids in school, this somehow translated to “Veronica’s parents might give me money.” It was a dumb way to think, but at least Veronica was away from that toxicity. Alana couldn’t even remember if Veronica had ever asked to long distance call any friends back home.

“There has to be some way for us to be okay again,” Alana said out loud to herself, pacing in her bedroom. She stopped and sat on her bed. She remembered the two boys she waited on earlier. They seemed to care about Veronica enough. But would they help her get reach good terms with her sister? It was worth a try.