“A Hot Slow Sticky Day in Summer”

by Cassandra Alfred

Why did I rush to be an adult so badly?

I don’t remember.

I sit in front of the gas station on the ground waiting for Miracle to be finished with her job

interview.

It’s taking longer than expected.

That’s a good thing right?

There’s so many rules in regards to this adult crap - I really don’t remember.

To cover letter or not to cover letter?

Things like that, you know?

I tried to help her the best I can but I got my own shit going on. I can only give her advice from

my own perspective. She should know how to do it anyway. She’s always getting herself fired

from one job or the other. Throwing temper tantrums that this boss doesn’t like her or that boss

doesn’t like her.

Let’s be honest.

You don’t need your boss to like you - you just need the money.

Now that’s some Shark Tank shit. Some Kevin O’Leary shit.

I tell her she should watch it.

She says she doesn’t have time to watch T.V.

I tell her, “If you’re not working, then you have plenty of time to watch T.V.”

She says, “Television isn’t reality.”

Millionaires and shit isn’t reality. Then what is reality?

I’ll tell you what’s reality.

Waiting outside of a gas station in the middle of summer waiting for your friend to finish a job

interview for a job she’s probably not going to keep.

So, why do I do it?

Shit if I know.

I’m too nice.

I’ve always been told I’m too nice and I have to look out for myself.

Well, I try.

I pay my bills and take care of my mother and my sister.

So how the hell am I supposed to watch out for myself when I have obligations.

Tell me how?

Just tell me.

When a brother has a day off to lounge and relax someone comes crying to me begging them for

help for a situation they probably put themselves into and can’t figure how to get themselves out

of.

And I’m a sensitive soul.

So what do you expect?

Well, I take it as a chance to get outside.

Get outside and get some fresh air because between my mother and my sister there’s not a lot of

that. Not a lot of that at all.

I wish I could find the energy to go by myself but I’m too damn tired from working to think

about it and I can’t help but ask what’s the point of it all.

I just want to relax.

I guess this comes close enough.

The gas station is busy today and it’s quite therapeutic to watch people passing by.

Where are they going anyway?

This summer there are more white cars than I can count.

I guess that’s the flavor of the month.

Speaking of flavor, I’m chewing bubble gum and it’s been so long the taste has left my mouth.

I chew it anyway.

These are things you notice sitting outside of a gas station waiting for a friend to finish a job

interview for a job she is probably going to leave anyway.

Ask me why I do it?

I don’t remember.

Originally written in 2021, “A Hot Slow Sticky Day in Summer, “ depicts a young man’s thoughts and perspectives in regards to his friend’s new job interview on a hot summer’s day. Originally written for Something or Other Publishing.