Clint spotted Ben near the produce aisle. They waved at each other. He was still with Sam.
"Any luck?" Clint asked.
"Nope. I swear. He always disappears right when I need to talk to him." Sam said.
"You guys get everything?" Ben asked.
"We just need some avocados for guac and we'll be ready." Claudia said.
"We have some at home. Actually, I'm pretty sure we have everything for guac at home." Ben said.
"You look familiar." Sam said, "Do I now you?" He asked Claudia.
Her cheeks filled with a faint shade of red.
"No I don't think so." She quickly said.
"Are you sure?" Sam said.
Ben turned to Sam and whispered loud enough for everyone to hear, "Remember the chocolate debacle of 2016?"
"Oh my god. You're that lady's daughter!" Sam exclaimed.
"No I'm not." Claudia said, mostly to herself.
"You haven't come in since, huh?" Sam asked.
"My mom said I wasn't allowed to come here anymore." She said in the same quiet tone.
"Sam!" A deep male baritone yelled, "Why aren't you in the Deli."
"Steve! Ive been looking for you. Look we really nee-"
"Shit." Claudia said.
"Don't want him to see you?" Lina asked.
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"Of course not!"
"Well. Look's like it's too late for that." Clint said.
"Hey kid. You need something?" Mr. Brooks asked Ben.
"Hey pop. We were going to watch a movie but the theatre was full so we're just going to watch something at home instead. Do we still have the projector?" Ben asked.
"It's good that you came over then. It's in the staff room now. I don't think we'll have any training seminars soon. You can take it. Please don't break it." Steven said.
"I won't, Dad." Ben said.
He left the group and started walking quickly towards the staff room.
"Hey Clint." Steven said.
"Hey Steve." Clint said.
"Who are your friends?" Steve asked.
"This is Lina."
She reached her hand out and he shook it.
"Pleasure." Steve said.
"Same here." Lina said.
"And her?" Steve asked.
Claudia had turned away from the group and was mindlessly sorting through the tomatoes. She turned around and faced Mr. Brooks.
"Oh. Hi." Claudia said.
Steven laughed.
"Claudia! How nice to see you. It's been so long since I've seen the girl that made me spend a week sleeping on the couch." He said laughing.
Her cheeks were noticeably flushed.
"Sorry about that." She said.
"Sorry? What for! That is probably one of my best dinner party stories. Say, you want to take some chocolates home? We've have new 'artisan crafted' ones in stock." He asked, bellowing.
"Im fine, thanks." She said timidly.
"Can I take some home?" Clint asked.
"Clint, I practically pay for all of your groceries. We don't need to add artisan chocolates to the mix." Steve said.
"Chucks." Clint said.
"Did you just move here?" Steve asked Lina.
"No. Actually my family moved here in 2016. But we don't shop here." Lina said.
"Who's you dad?" Steve asked.
"Ricardo Sanchez." She said.
"You're Ricks kid? How great! Your dad and me play pool together. I've heard a bit about you."
"Good things or bad?" She asked.
"Bit of both." He said jokingly.
"Hmmm, does that mean I get some artisan chocolates?" She asked.
"Of course. You can take whatever you like. But don't take advantage like a certain someone over here." He ruffled Clint's hair.
"Hey!" Clint exclaimed, "That was hard to style!"
"Kid, you look like you just woke up." Steven said.
"It's a hard look to nail!" Clint said.
"Oh, im sure it is." Steven said.
"It is!" Clint exclaimed.
"Whatever you say. Well, you kids enjoy the movie. I have to handle an issue over in the Deli." Steven said.
"See you Steve." Clint said.
"Bye Steven, thanks for the chocolates." Lina said.
"Bye Mr. Brooks." Claudia muttered.
"See you kids." Steve said.
"That was awful." Claudia said.
"What do you mean?" Clint asked.
"She's just shy." Lina said.
"I'm not. He was making fun." Claudia said.
"So are. He was joking." Lina said.
Ben came out of the hallway that led to the staff room with a projector tucked under his arm.
"Alright gang, let's go." Clint said.