Transitions

Daily Life

Chapter 15

From the Very Odd Mind of

Eric Murphey

Eric and the boy have a good time at the Waffle House laughing and playing around. Drawing a few stares from people. But none of them cared. They were with the ones they love and having fun.
Eric is thinking about it as he drives to work in the morning. So happy its Friday. He forgot work is hard. He feels it in his knees. Though he would never say a word to the boys. They would pick on him for it. Not that it wouldn't be funny. He just doesn't want them to see him as getting older. He pulls in at 5:25 and he sees Michael and Floyd are there. He smiles because he likes them both. He sees Todd pulling in behind him and smiles. Like a well oiled machine. It had all the parts it just needed a little oil is all. They all file in and Eric is opening the front today. He hasn't done that in a minute. He is staring at the frappe machine.

"Problem boss?" Floyd asks stepping up to him.

"How do you turn it on?"

"Oh shit boss you kill me." He says and pushes the on button.

"What they are new since I left." Eric says defensively.

"Its all good. You taught me some mad shit on the line yesterday. Cool tie."

Eric looks and he grabbed an old school Speedee tie. He thinks it was Mr Browns and it was the first tie he remembers seeing him wear.

"One day I will tell you the story behind this tie."
"Cool. Anytime Mr Eric. Your good people. I was telling my buddy I could seriously see us hanging out you are that fucking cool."

"Your a good guy Floyd." Eric says grinning. "Maybe sometime I will invite you over to get your ass kicked at bowling by my boys."

"Yeah I was watching YouTube vids of you guys and I saw where Alejandro got a perfect game. Has Joey yet?"
"Much to his chagrin no."
"Man it was like real cool how you guys didn't care none Tran was sick and still wanted him in the family. Dude not many people are like that."

"I have to be honest. It wasn't me that decided to accept Tran in the family. Granted if I didn't have Joey and Alejandro I would have in a second. But I was worried about them. So I talked to them all about it and it was the boys that said we should. So I'm not all that great. Just a normal guy that tries to do the right thing all the time."

"See man that's what I was telling my buddy man. You are like the most normal guy I know. No that's not how I mean it. You don't act like some super rich guy acts. You are a normal guy is how I meant it."

"Until we bought our house we are in now we lived about ten blocks from here. I wont lie its nice having a shit ton of money. But really I just use it to help people. Whats the point of owning six houses? You can only live in one. I don't want or need a car fancier than what I have. I was joking with Joey last night and he said he wanted something and I said I want a Ferrari and I cant have it. He said yeah you can dad. See I don't think like that. OK sure I could but its like $300,000 for a car. My first house was 25. I just cant justify spending that much. If all rich guys were like me Cadillac would be the top of the line."

"See that's what I'm saying man. You got sense."
"You know how much I made when I first started working?"
"No idea."
"$4.00 an hour. And minimum wage was $3.35. Mr Brown never paid minimum wage. He said minimum pay minimum work. He wasn't wrong."

"Dude Michael said you got fired by Todd. You never told me that."
"Its is funny isn't it?"
"Dude I was rolling."
"I am now. Not so much then."

"I bet. Anyways I just came to see if you needed anything."
"Just how to turn that thing on." Eric says glaring at it.

"Dude you are hilarious. I'm gonna grab me and Mike a coffee then."
"I know how to do that."
Floyd walks away laughing. Eric took front counter and they got a new system recently and it took him a minute to get used to it. At 9:25 the District Manager walks in and smiles at Eric.

"Need any help?" He asks.

"Nah I'm good. I will meet you in the office in a minute."
He nods and walks back.

"Todd take over for me. I need to talk to Davy.
"Let me get this order and I will be right there."
Eric smiles thinking customer first good manager. Todd takes over and Eric walks back to the office thinking Davy Jones. I should introduce him to Cindy and they can talk all about how they catch shit for their names. But according to them she is going to hyphenate her name so its Brady-Murphey. Sounds like a law firm not a name. But what do I know. I walk in the office and shut the door behind me. He has taken the seat next to the desk and I sit at the desk. I look at him a good half a minute before I say anything.

"Davy. I have known you for years. I thought about this last night that you are a stickler for detail. The only thing I can think is. Davy. whats going on at home?"

Eric can see the strain in his eyes.

"My wife has cancer. We aren't sure if she is going to beat it."

Eric leans back in his chair and let out his breath.

"That's a rough one buddy. Why didn't you tell anyone? You know we have programs set up for things just like this."

"I don't know. I guess if I didn't tell anyone and just acted like everything was normal it would just go away. Just wake up and its over."

"How long you guys been married now?"
"Thirty years."
"How is she doing?"
"Great actually. She is in high spirits all the time. Saying we are going to kick cancers ass."

"You don't feel that way?"
"I'm fucking scared is what I am."

"I know the feeling. Its not great."
"Yeah I guess you do. Never thought about it."
"So do you want time off? I will leave it up to you. But I think you would rather be with her celebrating beating cancers ass then sitting in an office."
"Yeah I think you're right. I will get someone to cover for me and I will start next week."

"Good now that's taken care of. Where are you taking her on vacation?"
"She has always wanted to go to Hawaii. But I don't see us going anytime soon."
"Is she in treatment now?"
"For another week."
"Then after go do something fun. Treatments suck bad. Vacations are for rejuvenating."

"You know. We haven't had a vacation in a few years. Maybe we will." I see the corners of his mouth go up thinking about it.

"I think you must. But that's just an opinion."
They chat a little while longer and Davy Jones takes off and Eric finishes his first week back.

When He gets home he lets Buddy out.

"You feel like some catch?"
Buddy is bouncing up and down on his hind legs ready to play. Buddy races around to the front of the house ahead of Eric and grabs the ball. Eric sits in one of the chairs and tosses the ball. Buddy gives chase loving it. He plays about half an hour Buddy never losing any interest in the game. Eric wonders how long the dog would go. Maybe one day he will enlist the boys and each take turns until Buddy gives out. But not today. He walks back around and enters the house through the garage Buddy behind him.

"The boys will be home soon. Off for the summer. You are going to have a blast. I'm still not sure what we are going to do about you while Joey is on tour. Maybe I can have Joy dog sit. I don't want to put you in a kennel at all. You might think we were tossing you away. Don't want you thinking that. You're part of the family now." Eric says to Buddy as he gets him a treat. Buddy gobbles it as only a dog can.

"I wonder if we can take you with us. I just hate to not have you near the boys. I think it would upset you and them. Alejandro mostly. I think Joey pretty much nailed it on the head saying you are pretty much his dog."
Buddy looks at Eric like he know what he is saying. Hell he might. Who knows what dogs think?

Buddy looks at Eric then towards the garage then back at Eric.

"Yeah it them goofy."

Buddy races off to greet the boys.

The boys head to the kitchen like boys tend to do when they get home from school.

"Welcome home guys. How was the last day of school?"
"Greeeeaaaat!!!" Joey says pointing his finger into the air imitating Tony the Tiger.

"So you don't want me to sign you up for summer school classes?"
"Are ya crazy or something?"

"I'm going with or something." Eric responds. "I know you boys are starving. I got roast beef, turkey breast, and hard salami delivered yesterday."
"Cool. Ba did you get bean sprouts?"
"Yes I bean sprouts."
"Your the greatest Ba."
"I also got a pack of Nutter Butters. I expect to get some of them this time too."

"Poppi did you get Mallomars?"

"If I did you would never let me forget it."
"I would too poppi."

"But probably remind me about it next time?"
"Sure. Mallomars are pretty important poppi." He says with a completely straight face.

"Before you ask." Eric grabs a bag of chili cheese Frito's and hands them to Joey.

"Thanks dad."
The boys made their sandwiches exactly how he would have bet on it.

Joey with salami. Alejandro with roast beef and Tran with turkey.

"You not eating Ba?"
"I was thinking of just grazing. Have a handful of chips and some cookies. I'm not young like you guys anymore."
"Who you telling dad?"
"Shut up." Eric says laughing at him.

Joey giggles around the next bite of his sandwich.

"OK guys." Eric says taking a bite of a Mallomar. "Going to be up late tonight so we should all probably have a nap."

So after they ate and cleaned up they all went and had a nice nap. To Eric's happy surprise Joey asked if he can sleep with him. He of course said yes.

Eric wakes up feeling pretty refreshed. He slips out of bed and gets a quick shower because he didn't after work. He gets all cleaned up and puts on a pair of jeans a polo and the tennis shoes the boys got him. He heads downstairs to start making something up for dinner. Its 6 now and he knows they will be ravenous beasts when they wake up. He decides on simple and tasty. He cuts up some bell peppers and onions puts a bit of olive oil in a pan and starts it browning. He adds a pound of ground chuck and fries it up nice. When its done he drains the grease from it and then adds a jar of spaghetti sauce. He lets it simmer because it will just get better that way. He turns on the TV in the kitchen and sees the local news is on. He watches about how things are going in the area. About the same as always. Murders, fires same news every day just different victims he thinks as he turns it off. The island wasn't that bad he thinks. May not have had all the creature comforts but at least no bad things were happening in their area. The island would have been great if it had a real house a boat dock so you can get stuff. Eric toys with the idea in his head until a messy headed Tran shows up.

"Did you sleep well?"
"Very good Ba." He says hugging a sitting Eric.

"Making spaghetti. You want garlic bread?"
"Of course I do. But you know Joey will die if you don't make it."

"I seriously doubt he will die."
"Maybe. I don't want to risk it."
"So you would be willing to eat some of the nasty stuff just to help out your brother."
"Its all about family Ba."
Eric chuckles and pinches Trans belly making him giggle.

"So is your boyfriend coming over tomorrow?"

"If its OK?"
"Of course it is. I like him so far."
"So far?"
"He hasn't hurt you so until then I will like him."
"Ba its part of growing up. We both know that romances like ours rarely last. So we are just learning how to be with other people. But I do really like him."
"Maybe you will be the rare instance."
"Would be nice. But I doubt it. I mean we aren't like Alejandro and Cindy who I swear are already married."

"I think its so cute when she calls him Alley."
"I know Ba." Tran says grinning thinking about it.

Tran gets out a bowl and some things.

"What are you making?"
"I was thinking turtle brownies with ice cream would be a perfect dessert."
"I wouldn't argue that at all." Eric smiles. "Want some help?"
"No Ba I got this. Its not hard you buy the mixes."

While Tran is doing that Alejandro strolls in.

"Morning Poppi." He says giggling and wrapping his arms around Eric's waist.

"Morning buddy." Eric says smiling at his little joke.

"Making spaghetti?"
"Good nose."
"Cool. Making garlic bread?"

Seems familiar Eric thinks and smiles to himself.

"Gee I don't know. You think I should?"
"Prolly poppi. You know Joey loves it."

Tran is smiling, and shaking his head while he is mixing the bowl of brownie mix.

"You think he might I don't know...die if I didn't make it."
He gives Eric is super serious look as they sit down at the table.

"We better not try and find out."

"I think you are right." He says and rubs the top of his head.

Eric figures Joey will be up soon but doesn't want to start anything until he is. But he can do the garlic bread. It does take a little while and it will stay warm so that not a problem He gets up and preheats the oven and gets the bread out and follows the instructions. Its the frozen kind tonight. No fancy homemade kind today.

Alejandro gets some Legos from a drawer and starts building a Lego house on the table. Tran about has his brownies ready and he pops them in the top oven. A moment later Eric puts the garlic bread in the bottom oven and they both sit down and start fiddling with the Legos with Alejandro when Joey walks in.

"Making spaghetti for supper." Eric tells him as he hugs him.

"Cool smells good."
"Poppi is making garlic bread too."
"Oh OK." he replies without enthusiasm.

"You don't seem too happy about it." Eric prods.

"I had 4 pieces at lunch today. Anthony Pasquale told his mom how much I love it and she sent some for me in his lunch."
"So you ate yours and his?" Eric asks.

Joey grins.

"You know I did dad."

"I bet hers is really good."
"Its super good. I want her to teach me how she does it." He tells Eric.

"You want to learn to make bread then?"
"Like hers yeah. Dad you........No wait I'm serious........ Its like......Dad its amazing." He finally manages to get out.

"That good huh?"
"Best I ever had."
"You need to get your butt to her house and learn I want to try it." Eric tells him.

Joey giggles.
"I will probably when we get back."
"Got to have plans."
"Dad I'm so glad we aren't going all over the world this time. I know they want me too. But its kind of scary to think about after last time."
"I agree. That and I knew it would stress all of us out. It just better staying in North America."

"Easier for sure. I mean its still lots of work and stuff But is like when you are traveling you don't really feel like you get rested."

"I agree. This way we can feel more rested anyway. More time in a hotel less time in a plane."
"I want to see that tower thing in Toronto."
"The CN tower?" Eric asks.

"Whatever its called. It looks super cool."
"I believe its the CN tower buddy. We will certainly have to check that out while we are there. It does look beautiful at night."
They chat and enjoy their supper together. When they get done and get cleaned up.

"Poppi we should watch Willie Wonka we haven't watched it in forever."
Eric never one to say no to watching it easily agrees. They watch it and when its over they get in the car and head out on their mission.

They arrive at Eric's store ten minutes before close. Alejandro races up to the door and pulls on it. Its locked. Eric is less than happy. They all get back in the car when Eric tells them too. He drives around to the drive thru.

"Sorry were closed."

"I thought you closed at 11."
"We close a little early sorry."
Eric is less than pleased. Furious is more like it. If you cant put forth consistency people will go elsewhere. He drives around and parks again. They walk up to the doors and he unlocks it and they walk in.

"Hey how did you get in?" A young guy asks him.

"I used my key. I'm Eric Murphey."
"Oh shit."
"Oh shit is right. Wheres Marco?"
"Office sir."
"Thank you." Eric said with bitterness in his voice.

The boys follow Eric to the office.

"Mr Murphey what brings you here this time of night?" Marco asks as he sees him walk in the office.

"I came to help show you how to properly close the store because I have been noticing some things I don't like. First lets start with the closing early. The average ticket in my stores nationwide is $8.53. That's at 577 stores. So if we lose one sale because every store loses fifteen minutes early how much is that in lost revenue?"
"I uh I don't know."
"Alejandro."
"$4,921.81 cents poppi."
"So lets see what is that a year being open 363 days. Tran?"
"$1,786,617 and 3 cents."

"My boys are good with numbers. Guys do you think that losing almost two million dollars a year is a good thing?"

"No sir." they reply in unison.

"So Marco if I ever catch you doing it again you will be terminated. Is that understood?"
"Yes sir. Now lets get down to the business of why I'm here. As you know I have been opening this week and I have noticed a few things I don't care for and wont allow in one of my stores. Let's go out to the kitchen and I will show you what I'm talking about."
Eric pulls out the oven and underneath is trash. He pulls out the grills and shows the grease buildup behind and the grease all over the floor. He then shows him the grease build up on the side of the fryers. Now this isn't acceptable. This doesn't happen overnight. Marco you have been closing manager for nearly a year now. You are responsible to make sure that your crew does what they need to get done."

"I don't get paid enough to listen to some rich old guy tell me how to do my job."

"Let me tell you something Marco. I didn't start out a rich guy. I started out just like you as crew at this very store. But I tell you what. You're absolutely right. You don't need some rich old guy to tell you how to do your job. Because you know your job. I know you know your job. So its decision time Marco. Are you going to do your job or are you going to give me your keys right now."
Eric can see Marco is pissed. He has been caught being slothful in business. To Eric that is a big no no. Mr Brown lived by that Proverb and Eric does too. Marco pulls out his keys and puts them in Eric hand.

"I don't need this shit."
He walks out of the store.

"Well, I guess that's settled. Let me go round up the crew and have a chat with them."
The boys are all stunned at what they just witnessed. Eric was kind of cold to him. But he did give him the option. He basically had the guy fire himself.

"Um sure Ba."
"Head to the break room I will be there in a minute."
A few minutes later the crew all straggles in with Eric following behind.

"Alright guys here's the deal. Marco and I discussed it. He decided he no longer wanted to be with the company. So you guys will be getting a new closing manager. Tonight my boys came with me to help you guys out. We are going to be doing a little extra cleaning tonight. First off I need to ask does anyone have to leave for another job or for a responsibility or just need to get home to the family?"

"How long sir?" One guy asks.

"An hour tops."
"Yeah I can do that. I got to call the babysitter though. Make sure its OK."
"If its not OK my boys and I will get it done. I wont hold it against you if you need to go. I understand we all have lives outside of work."
After he made the call everyone was good to stay. Turns out he is the ride for most of the rest of the crew. So that worked out good. But Eric reminded them of the program that closers can use taxis at the companies expense to get home after dark if they have no other way. After what happened to Maria and the fear of what could have happened that is money well spent in Eric's mind.

"Alright boys come on these folks have their regular tasks to get done first so we can get started on the extra tasks."
Eric goes to the maintenance closet and pulls out three scrapers and some green scrubbies. He gets 4 bottles of degreaser and fills them up.
They walk back and he pulls out a fryer.

"OK Guys here is the enemy. Built up grease. You spray this on let it sit a minute and scrape it off like this." He demonstrates and the boys all say the same thing.

"EWWWW."
"Yeah ew this isn't acceptable. So we are going to help them get it right. Now Alejandro your the littlest and I need to use that for our advantage with your little fingers. Now on the sandwich table you see this in the corner by these posts. That's onions that have built up there over time. We don't want that."
They all get on their tasks and find out Eric was wrong. They were half an hour past and everything was again as it should be.

"I want to thank all of you for staying a little later. I appreciate the extra effort."

The crew all leave and Eric locks up the store.

"So guys that's how you properly close a store."He tells them when they get in the car.

They head home, watch a movie and get to bed. Joey is in Eric's bed again and that makes Eric smile.

__________________________________

This is my last chapter. Andrew Thomas will be taking over the story. I hope you like the world I have created. Be nicer to Andrew than you were to me and make sure you email him if you enjoy it.

I will not be posting as often anymore. I certainly will not do naymore serials. I say that as I am finishing up the third part to Tiffanys. It will be done soon. After that I have nothing else planned to post. Im not saying I wont write. I just wont post very often. When and if I do I will have the story completed before I even think about posting it.

As always I wish you Peace, Love and Good Happiness

Eric

Donate to Nifty. Nifty Archive Alliance Donation

Notice I didnt put my email. I figure why bother very few email me anyway.