Bittersweet (English)

CHAPTER 9

Phew. So much for a calmer day. 

Kaye brushed off the sweat dripping on her face. She was drained to the last bit of whatever she had.

“Pops, you can go home first. I’ll finish up here,” Kaye told Stef as she took the floor brush.

Looking at Stef right now, he should be dead tired already. They have been going on like this for almost a month now with little breaks in between.

“Are you sure? The floor hasn’t been cleaned yet,” Stef worriedly looked at her.

“It's fine, pops. I can handle that. You need to rest and make use of your day off tomorrow. Alright?” She tapped his shoulder and gave him a light hug. 

Stef tapped her back in return. He sighed. “I’ll take up on your offer then. Honestly, I am beaten. I am not as energetic as I am in my younger days.”

She giggled. The least they could do was laugh it off. 

“Come on, Pops. Let’s go home together.” Stella peeked her head on the open kitchen counter.

Stef took off his uniform and went to the staff room to change. 

“Serena should be whining right about now and Steve would be whining too for not pacifying his child,” Stella released a conflicting sigh. She was referring to her three-year-old daughter.

Kaye laughed at the thought. Well, it wasn’t too far-fetched given Steve's behavior earlier. 

She bid farewell as both left the cafe doors. She was almost done with her work.

She finished scrubbing and rinsing the floor. All that’s left was to dry it with a new mop. She hasn’t heard any clattering noises outside the kitchen door, so perhaps Jenny and Keith were done.

Minutes later she heard the kitchen door creaked open. It was Keith. 

“Is there anything I could help you with?”

She smiled at him. Such a kind gesture. “Nah, I’m done here anyway. Do you have time after this?”

For a moment, Keith looked confused but then nodded in response.

“Great. Wait for me in the dining, I’ll be there once I’m done changing.”

Kaye went to change in the staff room. She smelled of sweat. Jenny came in minutes after she did.

“Are you ready?” Jenny asked.

Kaye nodded in agreement. She closed her lockers and went outside with Jenny. Keith looked a little bit frantic as he waited by himself. Even his smile was twisted. 

She sat beside him while Jenny was on the opposite side. He kept playing with his fingers anxiously.

“Did I make a mistake today?” Keith asked hesitantly.

Kaye and Jenny looked at each other before bursting into laughter.

“Nah.” Kaye wiped off the lone tear on her eye. “We wanted to talk about something important. You were doing well today. So I got no problem with your work.”

Phew! Keith sighed internally. He thought he might've messed up somewhere along the busy day.

“So what we wanted to talk about,” Jenny placed a brochure on the table.

“Oh! I thought I left it somewhere at home,” Keith stared at the brochure of Y Academy that he received from his teacher.

His homeroom teacher gave it to him in an attempt to change his mind about working after graduation. His performance in school was impressive. Top of his class for consecutive years. He tried hard even if he knew from the start that he won’t be going to college. Perhaps, he was still hoping that he could.

“This is just something my teacher told me about. We couldn’t afford it. Plus, it would be hard to leave with Pa still injured,” Keith added.

“I understand you decided on this taking your family situation into account,” Jenny responded. Even if Keith hasn’t talked to any of them about his aspirations, the brochure not being discarded proves he wished to attend college. “But we need to talk about this.”

Keith slumped on his seat. “As much as I wanted to continue schooling but it’ll be impossible. I have two younger brothers and a little sister. My father is still recovering.”

Jenny sighed. Not that he was just struggling in his family matters, his inner self was also in conflict. He wanted to study more but he wasn’t allowed to. That was the state he was in. His options were limited.

And that was to work after graduation. He even requested if he could continue working after his graduation as a full-time employee.

“You see, Keith. I have no problem with you working here. As a matter of fact, I love having you here. You are giving your all and we appreciate that,” Kaye spoke truthfully. She knew him since he was a kid. She and Macy ate at their noodle stand near the seawall. 

Every time he was free from school, he would help his father out on their small business. He was exposed to the working field at an early age.

“Do you know I graduated from Y Academy?” Jenny glanced at him before continuing. “They offer scholarships up to a hundred percent of your tuition fee. Given you have reached their requirement for grades and provide a recommendation from the school.”

Keith didn’t look as optimistic as they expected. He brightened up for a while but he reverted to his sinking state.

“It's in the capital. Over three hundred miles from here. If I do pursue it. I would need to live there adding more expenses,” Keith said with a regretful voice. Even a dog could tell his desire to study further.

“You know, Keith. I really wished for you to attend college.” Kaye leaned to his side nudging him playfully. At least to lift his spirits. “So Jenny and I talked about being your benefactor.”

Keith jolted on his seat. He stared at her with bewilderment.  

“We talked to your parents about the possibility. They even have the same look on their faces as you have right now,” Kaye chuckled as she looked back to her encounter with his parents. His mother teared up when she explained their proposal. His father was also shocked that he even had her repeat herself.

Kaye got a chance to talk to them last week. She went out to get emergency supplies from her friend Geraldine’s store. The dragging hectic days were eating up their supplies so they had to add more ingredients before the inventory got empty.

“Why would you go that far for us?” She remembered his mother asking. 

Well, it was simple. They loved him and would want him to pursue his goals. Jenny especially supported the idea. Growing up, she had the same situation as Keith had. The difference was just she had to work hard for everything herself. She never had a benefactor to support her when her grandfather died.

“Regarding your expenses, we could give you an allowance since the cafe is doing great. Or if you want to earn more, I have an acquaintance from my previous job that could help if you wanted to work part-time.” Jenny offered. They thought about every aspect. Of course, they didn’t want him to struggle there since he’d be alone. “Although it is a restaurant with a bar. So it's a different environment from our cafe.”

“But it would be another experience and skill to add if you were to work there, right? Plus the pay would be quite great. You can save up,” Kaye added as she rubbed his back.

Keith had been quiet for a long time while Kaye and Jenny kept on telling him their proposal. He was speechless. All that he could do was cry as he realized how to appreciated and loved he was.

“As long as you agree on this, we could start with the preparation as soon as possible,” Jenny giggled while handing him tissue papers.

“And mind you, we talked to Pops and Stella, too. So you don’t have to be anxious about anything,” Kaye continued rubbing his back. He was sobbing intensely now. 

Unexpected of someone who always showed a cheerful demeanor. It was also relieving to see him being true to himself. He was wailing like a child.

“Ah-- I don’t even know how to ever repay you,” Keith’s sobbing was getting out of hand. The tissues appeared to be insufficient.

Kaye laughed while looking at his messed-up face. “Just do your best and make us proud.”

“Are-- are you sure you’re okay with me?” Keith asked in between sobs. He looked from Jenny to Kaye. He leaned closer to Kaye and brushed his flooding tears.

“Kid, you make it sound like I just accepted your confession,” Kaye laughed at the image of his now aggressive expression. 

Jenny joined in laughing at the exchange. “Someone’s gonna haunt you if they heard that, Keith.”

Kaye suddenly turned to Jenny’s side and sneered. Like a warning not to discuss it further and stay on the subject matter.

Jenny snickered. It was not the time for that anyway. “So, Keith. What is your response to our careful presentation of the proposal?”

Keith took in a huge breath, they could see his chest rising. He wiped his tears and once again breathed in. His eyes showed determination.

“Yes, of course! I shall dedicate my life to my studies and both of you if you allow me to,” Keith declared with bravery.

“Well, if you want to work here after you graduated college then you are welcome,” Kaye embraced him. It would be a bumpy ride since the cafe was just beginning to gain prestige but she had no qualms about that.

Keith hugged them tightly. He could never put his feelings into words right now. Nevertheless, he was happy and moved by their support. 

“Alright. Then that settles it. So Keith, what course would you be taking?” Jenny inquired as she handed some documents containing information about the school.

They went on to discuss his goals and plans to revive their family business. Whatever his aspirations were, they would support him completely.