Burning Bridges

Eva was only seventeen

and didn’t know what it was like

to have the shit kicked out of you

by life.

She had no bills other than a Spotify account.

Her world was studying for physics and history tests

and writing college application essays

and getting in trouble for texting during Econ

(like it fucking mattered)

and surreptitiously trying to watch Henry Weaver

practice free throws in the gym.

Eva had a part-time job

at a hot dog/burger joint in town.

She smelled like French fries at the end of her shift,

which was gross.

Her manager, Shayna, was a total bitch on wheels.

Like thirty years old or something with two kids

and still working this crap job and yelling at her all the time.

She was never fast enough for Shayna,

never correct enough for Shayna.

And it was, like, hot dogs, so could we all just relax?

There was one customer in particular

who was just the fucking worst.

Eva didn’t know his name,

just called him MORE MAYO

because no matter how many mayo packets you gave him,

he always demanded more.

And like, what did he even do with it all anyway?

Her favorite coworker, Tiffany, would gross her out

by describing the sex acts he probably practiced

using mayo as lube, and anyway…

the point is, this guy sucked.

One day, he came in, ordered, was given about a dozen mayo packets,

and he left, but then he came back in

when Eva was busy with other customers.

He actually interrupted her to say he didn’t have enough mayo,

and Eva had just had it,

and she asked him, “Why don’t you just buy a fucking jar, dude?”

And he stared at her in shock,

his mouth a little cheerio-sized O,

and of course Shayna heard this,

and she came tearing up to the front counter,

all apologies and mayo packets.

And Eva couldn’t believe that Shayna couldn’t just stick up for her for once

because everyone hated this guy,

even Shayna.

But next thing Eva knew,

Shayna had grabbed her by the arm, actually grabbed her,

and was screaming in her face

about how she talked to the customers

and had no respect for anyone.

And Eva said, “Fuck you and the mayo dude.

I’m going places;

I don’t need this.”

She had a stupid hat that she had to wear

so she took this off and dramatically slammed it

on a metal counter

and walked out.

And she never set foot in there again.