Every Sunday, I release a new short story in the ‘Sunday Story Time’ series! These stories could be about anything, but they will all be short. Two-minute reads at the most—just a small bit of whimsy to take you into your week. Enjoy!
Mark The Cashier
Mark has been standing at his cash register for hours.
He desperately needs to go on break, but his manager is nowhere to be seen. His ex-wife has called four times. No voicemail. He’s been too busy with customers to even text her a simple “whats up?”.
Finally, his manager appears, “Ready for your break, Mark?”. He rushes out to his car. Mark takes all his breaks in his car. He looks at his phone, another missed call. His stomach turns as he dials his ex-wife.
He’s been through this already. Before the divorce. They lost their firstborn at thirteen to a rare genetic condition. Mark was standing at the cash register that day too.
His ex-wife picks up.
“Are you sitting down?” he doesn’t answer, he’s bracing himself for what he knows is coming next…
“Mark?”
“I’m here” he replies.
“She got in! She got into UC Davis Premed!”
A stunning wave of relief.
“That’s amazing! I knew she would.”, Mark says.
He’s thrilled for his daughter. She wants to study medicine. She wants to find the cure for the condition that killed her older brother.
Mark’s break is over. He forgot to eat the food he brought from home. He’s back at his cash register. Stomach growling.
Three hours to go.
MW 