Rielle first knew what a bully was when she was 10 years old, and Lana Burgess pushed her off the seesaw.
She knew what a bully was when Matt Cain knocked her books out of her hand and called her a "fatherless pig." He thought he was being clever because she was black. Little did he know my father didn't leave, he died along with my mother.
She knew what a bully was when Darnell Lewis asked her out in front of the whole school. Only to then laugh in her face when she agreed. "Why would I date a fugly mute? Be for real. No one is EVER gonna want you."he'd said. That part ended up being true. 17 years of age and no guy or girl wanted me.
She'd met enough bullies to know one when she saw them. When she first laid eyes on Tyler Reeves, she knew he was the worst kind of bully.
*Earlier that day*
"Elly! Come here, please." Called John from downstairs.
Rielle came bounding down the stairs. John patted the couch, gesturing for her to come sit next to him. She sat down, eager to hear what he had to say.
"Elly, I have to go back to work today." He looked so pained by the idea of leaving her.
Rielle pulled out her notebook. Uncle John didn't know sign language.
Bout time.
"I just wanna make sure you're good."
I'll be alright.
"You trust me?"
Rielle made a face.
Yeah...kinda
John nodded
"Is that why you only talk to me sometimes??"
Rielle shrugged. She couldn't help it.
"Elly...you gotta get out of of your comfort zone at some point. You'll come across people you don't trust. Hell most people don't deserve your trust."
Rielle nodded in agreement to that last part.
"But. But! You still gotta talk to some of them anyways. Which is whyyyy...I got you a job."
Rielle slumped against the couch.
"Hey now. Don't be like that. It doesn't require much talking and I know the manager. She said it's fine for you to go at your own pace."
Where is it?
"Papa John's. You'll be doing deliveries."
Rielle audibly groaned. Deliveries? Seriously? That is not going at her own pace. It was well above her comfort zone.
"I know it seems like a like alot, but if you don't start now when will you? You start your new school tomorrow. This is your senior year and I want you to make friends. Live a little."
At Papa John's?
"Yes. At Papa John's. At school. Now, go get changed. You start today and I got you something."
Before Rielle had time to process the bomb he just dropped on her he dangled car keys in front of her.
She gasped
Mine?
John grinned.
"All yours kid. Go get dressed first and then you can drive her to your new job."
Rielle squealed happily, and gave him a hug. A car! He got her a car. She didn't have to disown him after all. She rushed up the stairs. Throwing on a hoodie and jeans. Happy she had chosen to shower the night before. Once she was dressed she skipped down the stairs. John called out to her, suggesting she slow down. But she was already zipping past him and out the door. Her hand fluttered to her mouth in awe upon seeing the shiny new silver Kia sitting in the driveway? She turned back to John who hovered in the door way looking rather proud of himself.
She pointed to her chest.
"Yep, it's yours. Mind if I'm your first passenger?"
She shook her head with a smile.
Marc had taught her how to drive as soon as he knew she couldn't. "A girl your age should know these things." He'd said. With just a few lessons she was an old pro. Soon after she got her driver's license. He really had tried to be a father to her. Now thinking back at all that he did for her him sending her away felt less like a betrayal and more like a selfless act. She'd never forget the pained look he gave her, as tears ran down his cheeks. At some point he had already come to consider her like a daughter. She'd send him a text later and let him know she was okay.
Right now she had a car to test drive. She sat in the drivers seat, smoothing her hands along the steering wheel. John didn't rush her. He sat in the passenger seat, patiently waiting, allowing her this moment. Rielle could count on one hand how many happy moments she had since her parents passing. This was one of them.
Finally, she pulled out of the driveway. John set the gps to the pizza place.
*Arriving at the Papa John's*
John stayed long enough to make introductions. The manager, Hana, was a sweet middle aged woman with tan skin, and a warm smile that made you feel at home. Her brown feathered bangs held streaks of gray. But her green eyes were bright and youthful. She pulled Rielle into a brief hug, rather than going for a hand shake. Seeing that Rielle was in good hands, John called his secretary and they came to pick him up.
"Rielle, John told me a bit about your um..condition and I want you to know we're glad to have you."
A condition was one way of putting it...Atleast she was nice.
"I want you to meet my son, Luke, he'll be your supervisor. If you run into any problems and you can't reach me, just call him." She ushered me along, behind the counter. "Luke! Come meet Rielle!"
Rielle jumped a little, at hearing her shout.
"Oh, I'm sorry dumplin'. I didn't mean to spook you. That boy always has his headphones on blasting away."
Rielle wanted to tell her it was okay, because she was used to be yelled at. Hana was such a sweet woman, she was shocked she could shout like that. She supposed all parents needed to raise there voice at some point.
"Who?! I swear Mama, if you brought another one of those church girls..."
A tall boy with a mop of brown curls came storming out the kitchen. He came to a stop right in front of her. His mother's eyes stared back at me. Only they didn't hold nearly as much warmth. His solid muscular build, hinted that he played a sport of some kind. He gave her a once over, cocking his head to the side as if he couldn't fathom what he was looking at that. It wasn't a look of disgust, rather curiosity.
"Oh hush, Luke. Rielle isn't from our Church. She's new to town."
"Yeah. I can see that. She's black."
"Luke Johnson! Our church doesn't discriminate. They let everyone in the door. Be they white, black, purple or orange."
Luke clucked his tongue.
"Just because they let em in doesn't mean, they're welcome."
Rielle bristled. She knew she'd face some racism, but she didn't expect it after such a warm welcome from Hana. And from her son no less! Luke took in her reaction and sighed.
"Don't get me wrong ,Rielle, I'm not saying I'm one of them. I'm just saying they're around. Specifically in that church."
Rielle nodded, feeling relieved she didn't have to watch her back at work.
"Well...that's true." Hana admitted solemnly. "But times are changing and the law keeps em in check for the most part. Now I don't want you putting fear in this girl's heart. Starting from today she'll be working here as our new delivery driver. This is John's niece that I told you about."
Luke's eyes softened a fraction. Giving her that pitying look she was all too familiar with.
"Ma...I'm not trying to scare her. It's just we deliver to some of those people. A lot of em. They're gonna say all types of shit to her, and she's not even gonna be able defend herself!"
He had a point. I wasn't too eager do deliver pizzas to anyone. Delivering pizzas to racists didn't even make the to do list.
"Luke Nathanial Johnson!"
Luke groaned.
"Not my full name Ma..."
"Don't interrupt me when I'm speaking to you. Lower your tone, and leave the potty mouth at the door! Now, John, sent her here to get out of her comfort zone, and that's just what she'll do. It is your job to make sure she doesn't take the calls of the lesser minded. Do I make my self clear?"
Luke looked like he wanted to argue. He let out a frustrated sigh.
"Yes, Ma'am."
Hana smiled and gave my shoulder a reassuring squeeze. The phone rang and Luke rushed to answer it. She watched as he took down notes. A lock of hair fell in his eyes and aggressively blew it out the way.
Hana caught her eye.
"Don't worry Rielle. Luke's a big softie just like his dad. All that fuss was just his way of looking out for ya."
Rielle snuck another glance at Luke. He made no comment, but his cheeks tinged pink. Hana wrote down her number on a piece paper.
"I'm gonna head into my office. I have some filing to do. Luke and you will handle the deliveries. Megan, is out there delivering right now. Luke will introduce you when she comes in."
She gave my shoulder one last squeeze before disappearing into her office. I turned around to see Luke hanging up the phone. He took the post-it he wrote the order on and stuck it the kitchen overhang. Even if she wanted to speak, there was no room to do so. She quickly learned that the local Papa John's was busy. Luke fell into a work flow of taking calls and relaying the orders to the kitchen staff. Some introductions would have to wait until things died down.
Rielle sat down in a booth and waited for further instructions. She beat 3 levels of Candy Saga before a girl wearing the Papa John's uniform came in. She barely glanced in Rielle's direction. Probably mistaking her for a mere customer. Her blond pony tail swung just above her butt as she sashayed to the counter.
"Lukeee." She sang, "Whatcha got for me?"
Luke looked up from his post- its to hold up one finger.
"Hold that thought, Megan. I want you to meet someone."
He then looked at Rielle waving her over. She got up and joined them.
"Rielle, meet Megan. She works the night shift, doing deliveries."
Megans eyes widen, taking her in. The smile that lit her face was a little to fake.
"Oh. I didn't realize you worked here. Hana, did mention we were getting a new hire tonight. How do you like it so far?"
I nod and offer her a small wave. Luke clears his throat.
"Rielle doesn't really talk much. She's um working on it."
"I see." Megan says with a tight smile. " Well you just take your time and if you need anything let me know."
Thank you I sign
"Oh! Are you..." She quickly signs back Your welcome.
The effort makes me smile. Maybe Megan was nice after all.
"Okay guys, I got orders for you both."
He pulls out a list with orders and addresses on it. Megan and I huddle closer to take a look.
"Megan, I circled these for you. Rielle, these are for you."
"Wait a second Luke, I know this house. Let me take it" Megan pouts.
"No can do. Gotta keep the numbers as even as possible and the people in your list won't bode well for Rielle."
Megan rolled her eyes.
"Right, because this house belongs to a saint."
Luke ignored her and looked into Rielle's eyes.
"Look Rielle, I can't promise you won't run into any assholes during your runs. This town is full of em. What can promise is that none of them will be known racists."
Rielle nodded. Beside her, Megan snatched her list and grabbed the food. She huffed with each step until she was out the door. Rielle turned back to Luke with worry in her brow.
"Don't worry her. She probably has a crush on whoever lives there."
Rielle shrugged. She was here to work, not make friends. Wait that wasn't right. She was here to socialize. Ugh.
"Now will need to communicate with customers in case they forget how much their order is. "
Luke tapped his chin, thinking of away around it. Rielle took her pen and notebook out her bag. She held it out for him to see. He snapped his fingers like she'd just came up with a genius idea.
"That genius Rielle! It'll do for now. Baby steps."
I agree with you. This is a bad idea. She wrote
Luke was one of those people who read out loud. Thankfully it wasn't anything embarrassing. Not that she'd tell him anything embarrassing. They just met and probably didn't run with the same crowd. Rielle didn't run with any crowd. She was loner. Would she aways be a loner?
"Hey. Rielle did you hear me?"
Oh no. She must have tuned him out. She hadn't noticed he'd come around the counter to check on her. He lightly touched her shoulder, peering into her eyes.
"Rielle?"
His closeness, made her nervous and she nearly dropped her note book.
My bad. What did you say?
"Something distracting you?" He smirked.
She shook her head.
"I said, I'm sorry I worded everything like that. Had nothing to do with your capabilities."
Rielle shrugged.
You were just keeping it real. I respect that.
"If you run into any trouble call the store. Don't bother with my mom. If she had that much time on her hands she wouldn't need me to supervise."
He grabbed the stack of food and drinks and walked it out to her car. She opened the door for him and he placed it all in the back seat.
Thank you She signed.
"Oh, I don't no much sign language. Does that mean thank you?"
She nodded.
"No problem. Alright then, good luck. Pro tip: Keep your tip money separate from the payment money."
That was a good tip. She gave him a thumbs up, before getting into the drivers seat. He waited until she pulled off, before going back into the store. His mom was right. Luke was a big softie.
Luke gave her 4 deliveries to make tonight. The first 3 weren't too bad. Some tips she got weren't that great, but they had tried. Some tipped her extra when they saw she was mute. There was one last delivery to make. The one Megan wanted to take. As she drove by huge mansions she realized why Megan wanted this stop so much. This last order's tip was sure to be big.
Rielle had thought John's house was a mansion, but after seeing this customers place she knew what a mansion really was. She got out the car and grabbed the food. The path from the driveway to the front door was aligned with roses bushes. She admired as she walked. When she reached the door she rang the door bell as instructed.
If you asked her what she expected to see when they opened the door she couldn't tell you. In truth she hand't expected anything particular. Rich people came in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Tyler Reeves came half naked in a towel. Her eyes traveled from his bare chest to down his chiseled waist and landed on the towel. Her grip on the pizza loosened and she nearly dropped it. She managed to keep it upright without shaking it too much. Rielle tried not to pay too much attention to beautiful people. It was a painful reminder of how not beautiful she was in comparison. She kept her eyes as unfocused as could. Disassociating from herself.
She looked up at the customer to find him staring at her with feral curiosity. His narrowed gaze a challenge.
"What's your name? He asked.
Did he want to report her for nearly dropping his food? It wouldn't be her fault anyway. Anyone would be flustered at seeing someone open the door half naked. For all she knew he could have been a flasher. He kind of still could be. I mean that towel is poorly wrapped. She let her eyes focus a tad. She tugged repeated at her shirt where she knew her name tag was.
"Rielle." The way he said her name felt intimate. Predatory.
She let her eyes focus a bit more. First she looked at his mouth and was nearly blinded. Too bright. Too fake. It was the kind of smile a snake used the charm the skin off a mouse. It was meant to show good faith and pure intentions. But his eyes danced with mischief. She knew his type. He was one of the worse kind of bullies she could have encountered tonight. Suddenly she wished she'd switched with Megan.
If Megan were here things would be simpler. He'd flirt with her. She'd give him his pizza and her number. End story. Rielle however was forced into a battle of wills. Who would crack first. Who would show there true self. She'd met guys like him before. They acted like toying with her was game. They wanted a reaction out of her. When she offered them nothing they eventually gave up. The gleam in is blue eyes was one she hadn't seen before. His gaze on her felt like a knife prying at the cracks of her soul. It made her extremely uncomfortable.
Eager to get out of there, she handed him the pizza as gently as she could. I waited for him to handover the money. He just stood there staring at me. Then I remembered what Luke said about some customers forgetting how much they owe. I take out my notebook and right down the total. He gives me an incredulous look. There was a shift in his gaze and his eyes softened. The gleam in them disappearing completely.
Are you Deaf? He signed.
No. I signed back.
I was shocked he knew sign language. Not many people cared to learn it.Rielle always made sure to correct people when the mistook her for death or mute instead of selectively mute. While it's true most of the time she couldn't bring herself to speak even when she wanted to, she still could. She didn't completely understand it herself. But she couldn't help regret telling him because the second she did the bully was back. That gleam sharper than before. He was teasing me. Baiting me.
"Something wrong Dollface?"
Rage burned hot and heavy in my chest. My eyes feel heavy with my dislike for this boy. I do my best to hide it. to not give him what he wants.
No tip? I sign.
He holds up a 10 dollar bill. My eyes flash to it, reaching for it.
" Ah ah ah. Not so fast. I have a few questions for you, then it's all yours."
Of course he wasn't going to make this easy. Whatever. If the questions were too much I'd just leave. $10 was $10. Each question that followed was harmless. Like he just wanted to know more about her. By the time he asked for her last name, her suspicion boils over.
Why? She signed.
"Come on, don't spoil the fun now."
He swaps the 10 out for a $20 bill.
My suspicion dies to a simmer. What could I say? Dolla make me holla. Sure Uncle John had money, but she couldn't just depend on him completely. She hadn't gotten this far by just taking hand outs. Some things you needed to work for. I'm certain he plans on using the information I give him. If anything happens to me, I want to know what name to give the authorities.
"Tyler Reeves, pleasure to meet you."
Tyler Reeves. The name rolls over in my mind. I mentally file it away for later. If tried anything she'd report him so fast. Then it occurred to her that he could try something right now and she turned to leave.
"Wait. Give me your number."
She turned to see him smiling and holding out his phone. This nice guy act was getting old. She wasn't going to be the one to put an end to it, but she was ready for when it did. It always did. She put her number in and handed it back to him. His fingers brushed hers for maybe the second or third time. The teasing smile on his face told her it was intentional. Her face warmed with annoyance and she was thankful for her dark skin. She didn't want him to think his charm worked on her. There was cruelty behind those beautiful eyes and dazzling smile.
She said a silent prayer as she walked away that they wouldn't cross paths again. Even though she knew they would. That's how these types of bullies were. He'd seek her out. Find her weaknesses and try to hold them over her head. However, she never had anything to lose. Her life had been miserable for over a decade. A little bullying never phased her.
Tyler Reeves was about to be disappointed.