>>5724759Looking at Raj’s smiling face, you can’t help but be a little impressed–despite appearances the dude really picks up on stuff!
“You know what they say about books and covers, man…” Warns Raj with a wry grin on his face, “My dad taught me that, y’know. Said the most important part of running a business is knowing your customers the minute they walk into the shop!”
Right, you nod, his parents have that store, huh?
“Yep!” He laughs! “And once we get outta here you’re getting a <span class="mu-i">DISCOUNT</span>, my dude… family-style!”
Okay, you reply with a nervous laugh, he doesn’t have to go <span class="mu-i">that</span> far-
“Ahhh, no sweat, bro–I give it to all my buddies!”
This guy… so if he knows people, you continue, then he’s probably aware of how… intense Mina is.
Your bud’s face darkens a bit. “Yea…”
So, you cautiously add, what’s the deal with her?
The skater leans in close. “Again, nothing leaves the room, yea?”
Yea, you nod.
“If ya ask me,” he sighs as he leans back, “I feel bad for her, dude.”
Well there’s a fresh take!
“Well maybe it’s cuz’ my family has a business too,” he continues as he twirls Linda in his hands, “But I get how much pressure there is… parents always want their kids to, like, carry on their legacy and shit… and they do this thing where if you don’t do better than them you’re a fuckup, y’know? Like… like a waste of a kid.”
The statement hits you a little harder than you thought. His parents don’t do that, right?
Raj gives you a sober glance. “Mom and dad are cool an’ all, but sometimes when I make a mistake, well…” He bites his bottom lip. “They get pissed, man. Tell me I’m gonna kill the business, that I don’t care about anything…”
Catching himself mid-speech, the skater shakes it off. “But, like, I know they don’t <span class="mu-i">hate</span> me, y’know? It’s just that… our shop’s like their second kid. One that, like, makes us a bunch of money and gives them something to do all day.”
That’s a weird way to put it, you counter, but you think you get the picture!
“Riiight?” He laughs! “So when I see Darren and Mina, I just think, like, what if my mom and dad’s store was <span class="mu-i">bigger</span>, y’know? And was all over the world? And there were, like…” He pauses and furrows his brow. “Other, meaner stores that wanted to steal the recipe for the sauce we put on our deli sandwiches?”
It’s a lot to keep track of, you nod, but Mina, well… you think she’s headed down a dark road…
>CONTD. 