The Blessing of Work Siblings

Trigger warning: Bullying

“Come on! We’ve been waiting for an hour!”

“Do you know how to count cash?”

“Get another cashier up here! Actually, let me talk to your manager!”

My head whirls with conflicting thoughts. I try to do what my therapist told me.

“Reframe your thoughts. Practice positive self-talk.”

So I close my eyes and breathe through my nose to stop my tears.

Okay…Deep breaths, Jessica. Their words don’t matter. It’s not your fault. You’re doing the best you can.

But my inner voice is too quiet amongst the yells ricocheting on every side of my mind.

“Hello? Are you there? Do something!”

“Are you dumb? I’m never coming back here again!

And then I take one more breath and call for a back up cashier. Jade, a petite 19-year-old in a pink and purple striped shirt, chooses the register next to mine. She’s always as nervous as I am, but she hides it well.

“We got this,” she whispers to me. Then she talks to the older gentleman who stomps to her register and slams his toys down.

“Finally!” he snaps. “My grandson’s birthday party is in 15 minutes. I’m going to be late.”

Jade keeps her composure and smiles. “I’m sorry, sir. We’re very short-staffed today.”