She wants to kill her father, but there is one small problem, he died years ago. All the energy Jada feels for patricide needs channeling elsewhere. She doubts anything can override her feelings of anger and betrayal, but knows the murderous impulse can only poison her life if not used positively.
This morning begins with a shower like any other Monday. She dresses hurriedly in jeans and a white button down shirt. A quick application of makeup readies her to face the world. Breakfast consists of a bowl of muesli cereal and a Diet Coke.
France bounds into the kitchen tail wagging, tongue lolling, and puppy claws clicking on the tile floor. Jada gives the affectionate Alaskan malamute’s ears a quick rub and ushers her out the sliding glass door into the fenced back yard.
She rouses her son, Anthony, from bed urging him to prepare himself for school. He complains it is too early to get up, but walks into the bathroom to perform his morning ablutions.
She knocks on the bathroom door as she hurries out of the house, “Don’t forget to let France in before you leave.”
Anthony mumbles, “I won’t. Have a good day, Mom.”
“You too, sweetheart. I love you!”
She hopes he will be ready in time to drive himself to the campus.
Thankfully, her commute is short. Jada parks and jumps out of her cherry red Mustang in the parking lot of the convenience store she manages. She unlocks the doors to the small store and rushes through her morning routine. She cooks steak, egg, and cheese biscuits, sausage, egg, and cheese biscuits, plain sausage biscuits and brews coffee for the patrons who will come by to grab breakfast for the road. By 6:30, when the first customer arrives, she has everything ready. She greets everyone who enters the store with a cheery smile and rings people up quickly and efficiently, aiding each in his or her morning rush.
Customers come and go from the store constantly, keeping Jada extremely busy.
“Good morning boss! How was your weekend?” Deidre says as she bustles behind the counter.
“It was nice… I was able to get chores done, spend time with Anthony, and read a few chapters,” Jada replies. She glances at her watch, exactly 8:00, and smiles at her assistant manager’s timeliness.
“That sounds typical. You didn’t have a date?”
“No. You know I am not seeing anyone right now.”
“Yeah, I know, but I can still hope that someone as nice as you finds happiness.”
“Happiness is not contingent on having a lover, you know. Other things in my life are good now. Anthony is well behaved and reasonably successful in high school. I have a decent job and good friends. Being divorced is not a bad thing.”
“Well, I’m still expecting someone handsome to walk through that door and sweep you off your feet with one look.”
“If it happens you will be the first to know. Now get over here and attend to this register so that I can do my management duties.”
Jada counts the weekend receipts and prepares the monies for deposit. She completes and transmits the sales and inventory report to corporate office.
“I’ll do a pricing survey while I am out to make the deposit. Would you like me to pick up something for your lunch?” Jada says when she comes out of the office in the rear of the store.
“Nope, I brought my lunch today. I was fixing for Charlie anyway so I just made enough for two. Thanks though, it is sweet of you to think of me,” Deidre says.
“No problem. I think I will grab a burrito on the way back here.”
Walking toward her car Jada avoids stepping in the oil leaks left by morning traffic. She thinks that when she returns to the store she should spread oil dry on the residue.
The Mustang starts with a satisfying roar and she leaves the parking lot in a smooth glide. She notes gas prices at the stations she passes driving to the bank. Her station is in close price competition with all those nearby.
She checks the area around the bank for any suspicious activity and hurries inside. She makes the deposit and walks back to her car at a more leisurely pace.
She stops at a fast food drive thru and picks up her lunch. For once, the order is correct on the first try. Maybe, this is destined to be an extraordinarily good day.
Chronicles 