Free Secret Shopper by Tanya Taimanglo

stay for the whole song, I didn’t want Thomas making me. I told Rachel that I was going to hide in the restroom until the Bag It group got in their Partridge Family van and left. She thought I was ridiculous, but indulged me.
    “Hey, Nix, if this dude was flirting with you, maybe you could date after the evaluation . He won’t know it’s you right?”
    “I’ll be sure to pencil him in after my date with Chazzer .” I responded sarcastically. “And, what happened to no rebounds?” Rachel was so impulsive. I hustled to the restroom at the tail end of the duet.
    When I walked into the ladies restroom, I scared myself, not recognizing my image in the gold framed mirror. I sat on a red velvet stool. Rachel had specific instructions to call me after Thomas left. I read Bradley’s new texts.
     
    Where r u? U ok? About Sunday, get back to me, kinda worried. Brad
     
    Kind of worried about not hearing from his wife, soon-to-be ex-wife? I fumed but my rage was short-lived. A gang of Bag It girls invaded the restroom. They were making their final pit stop before heading home. I heard Tamara’s voice in the doorway, and I pretended to be on the phone. I averted my eyes and was happy that my new blond hair shielded my face.
    “Tom-Tom! Tell James we’ll meet at the car.”
    Tamara bounded into the restroom and as a cacophony of pissing sounds erupted in the three stalls behind me, she stood uncomfortably close to me . I glanced at her jeans and shoes. She too was wearing a pair of Chuck Taylors in red. I wondered if that was part of their uniform. I found out moments later as Alma and another Bag It girl made their way to the sinks. They wore Nikes, so maybe it was just a sibling thing.
    “Awesome dress!” Alma said as she walked by me. I gave her a thumbs up and kept my face hidden. Crap! Get out already!
    When all was quiet, I dialed Rachel’s cell number . As a Kiss song blared in the background, Rachel got on the phone.
    “Hey, mom! Yeah, I’ll call you later! Love you!” She hung up.
    She must be talking to Edward, I mean, Robert, I mean Thomas.
    I decided to text Bradley.
     
    I’m fine. Will pick you up Sunday, text me your flight details. Phoenix
     

I hit send for the short and simple, non-emotional text. It would be my first since our break-up. Was this progress? Was this me moving on?
    I jumped when my Blackberry vibrated in my hand. It was Rachel, the mug of her licking an orange popsicle suggestively appeared on my screen, her caller ID.
    “Mom here .” I answered.
    “Hey, Thomas just left . He sat at our booth for a few minutes while the harem of coworkers was in there with you. It’s safe to come out. I’ll tell you more then.”
    I checked my reflection in the mirror and heard the start of Rachel’s song . That meant mine was next. I decided on When Will I Be Loved by the Everly Brothers. A little bit dramatic, but I was feeling a bit sorry for myself today despite my new exterior.
    I headed for the bar and bought a shot to calm my nerves. I would ask Rachel to drive us back to the condo since I had more to drink than usual, aside from loyal, I’m responsible. I’d only seen this done on T.V., so I licked my salty hand and downed the shot. The hot liquid coated my throat and I felt it descend to my belly. Repulsed, I sucked on the lime wedge. When I looked up, my face contorted from the taste of sour, three college boys watched me. I smiled meekly and licked the side of my lips of the dripping lime juice. That must have sent the wrong signal and their matching sneers proved it, so I pirouetted and bolted back to my booth. I felt their eyes on my back and quivered from disgust.
    Rachel did her best job at Don’t Cha by the Pussycat Dolls. She beckoned me to the stage, but I refused and shook my head like a petulant baby. Rachel had a line of men in front of her waving their beer bottles and a group of college girls smirked, threatened by her confidence and beauty. This was the scene I was used