Chapter 3
"Can I get one those new chicken sandwiches?" the man asked.
Isaac was nearby, he had to keep a constant eye on her. "That'll be a dollar five," she said.
The man handed her a dollar. She took it and smiled. "Hold on I have the change," he said as he handed her a nickel.
Chanelle looked at the money for a moment like she was confused she typed 1.05 in the register and it said 0.00 for the change. She grabbed $0.95 and handed it to the man. "Have a great day. Come back soon," she said as she smiled.
The man looked at her strangely and then drove away. "Why did you just give them change?" Isaac asked.
"Because they needed change," she said.
"No your register said $0.00, they don't get change," he said.
"Well, I'm sorry they confused me," she said.
"Chanelle one plus one confuses you," he said.
He was quite agitated. "Hey Tacquito, can you mop the lobby. It's getting a little messy?" Isaac asked.
"Yes, Mr. Isaac I go clean bathroom," Tacquito said.
Flower Isaac's cashier came out of the bathroom. "I was in the bathroom and I just saw this whole vision of the apocalypse as the water went down. It was so rad," she said.
"Get back on your register," Isaac snapped.
"You'll be sorry when the apocalypse comes," she said.
"You'll be sorry when I fire you, now get back on your register," Isaac said.
"Hi my name's Flower. Welcome to KFC, how can I help you?" Flower the cashier said.
"Can I get a bucket of popcorn chicken and three biscuits ?" the man asked.
"That'll be $5.13," Flower said.
"You need lots of napkins," Jeffrey said as he handed the man an entire package.
"No Jeffrey, one or two, not the whole package we pay for those remember," Isaac said.
He always felt bad about reprimanding Jeffrey because he had down-syndrome. "Ned I need three biscuits stat," Isaac called to Ned who always made the food.
"Three biscuits coming right up," Ned said as he smiled showing all of his gums.
Isaac made his way out the back door and reached into his pocket where he kept a very small bottle of vodka. He quickly took a swig from it and when he heard someone behind him he quickly put it in his pocket.
"Hi," he said giddily.
"Taylor," she asked.
"I'm going to get you something very special today," he said.
"that's very sweet you don't have to get me anything," she said.
"I know but it's something that'll make us both very happy," he said.
"O-ok," she said. Taylor hopped into his car and headed for KFC.
"Hey boss you're not going to like this, but there is some guy dressed as Rudolph trying to make Flower give him all the wedges," Jamal said.
Isaac took another swig of the Vodka and hurried out to the front where he saw Taylor high-fiving, Tacquito, Jeffrey and Ned. "The fab four is back," Taylor said.
That was how he referred to himself and his three friends. "Oh hey Ike. I need 4 orders of wedges," Taylor said.
Isaac stared at his brother again to make sure that he wasn't seeing things. "I know I'm going to regret this, but why are you dressed as Rudolph?" Isaac asked.
"Duh because I'm giving Valerie wedges and they are the best, so it's like Christmas, duh," Taylor said.
Isaac just pretended that he didn't hear Taylor as he put the wedges in front of him. "That's $8.86," Isaac said trying to get his brother out of their as quickly as possible.
"As if. I'm family it should be free," Taylor argued.
"Look I gave you ten percent off, take it or leave it, because their are real customers that need my help," Isaac snapped.
"Fine," Taylor said as he put nine dollars on the counter.
He looked over at Jeffrey and Tacquito. "Remember tomorrow night at the house we have to have our fab four meeting, so make sure u guys are there and tell Ned," Taylor said as he grabbed his change and hurried out the door.
"Hey I finally got it. One plus one is eleven, because two ones make eleven," Chanelle said.
Isaac went into his office and slammed the door. He needed a moment's piece. He picked up the phone and called Monica. "Hello," Monica said as she giggled.
"Hey it's me. What's so funny?" Isaac laughed.
"It's Zac. He is making fun of Taylor and his costumes," Monica said.
"Sounds like fun," Isaac said trying to sound enthusiastic.
"So what's up?" she asked.
"I want to see you tonight," he said.
"Well I'm at your house, so I'll see you when you get home, but I gotta go," she said as she hung up quickly. That wasn't the reaction he wanted, but it was better than nothing.
"HHHHH," he breathed into the phone. "HHHH," he breathed again.
"Hello," she asked.
"Your present is on your doorstep," he said.
He quickly scampered across the street so he could see her face when she opened the door. Valerie opened the door and found a bag from KFC. She opened it and inside was a bunch of potato wedges formed into the shape of a heart resting at the bottom of the bag. Valerie smiled and Taylor's heart skipped a beat.
"I feel horrible for laughing because Taylor is my best friend, but that is too funny," Tabitha said.
"I will not save Gotham City today Alfred," Zac said gaily just as Isaac walked in. "Hey Ike," Zac said suddenly embarrassed.
"Hi," Monica said to Isaac.
Isaac plopped down on the couch next to her. He didn't once acknowledge Tabitha. He didn't even notice she was in the room. "I want to ask you something and honestly after the day I've had if you don't say yes, then I'm going to drive off of a cliff," Isaac said.
"Isaac can you move back a little. You smell like chicken," Monica said.
"Can you forget about that for one second and listen to me?" he asked.
"Sure," she said.
He took her hand gently. "Will you be my girlfriend?" he asked.
Monica was so surprised but happy. "Yes," she said happily as she hugged him.
Tabitha could feel the tears building up in her eyes. "I have to go," she said as she hurried for the door.
"Bye, uh I'm sorry I forgot your name," Isaac said.
"Tabitha," she said as she ran out the front door crying.
Zac followed after her. "What are you here to make fun of me some more?" Tabitha asked.
"No, I'm here to tell you that It's okay to cry. Believe me I'm just as upset as you are about this," Zac said.
"Yeah right. You're this big macho man," Tabitha said.
"No, that's just an act. I really like Monica she brings out the soft side of me," Zac said.
"Really?" Tabitha asked.
"Yes. And how will Isaac ever notice how beautiful you are if you have mascara running down your face?" Zac asked.
Tabitha smiled a little. "Now that's what I like to see. Come on let's go be miserable together," Zac said as they sat down on Tabitha's front steps.
"Okay," she said as she rested her head on his shoulder and looked up at the stars. Zac and her bonded that night and they knew that from that moment on, they'd be getting along much better.