The Blockbuster Chronicles - Chapter 7: A Crying Girl Locked in a Bathroom

Chelsie was in my homeroom in high school. She was pretty, quiet, and almost always serious. I rarely saw her smile, but every so often she wore a short black leather jacket that seemed to fit her perfectly. I noticed her more than once, but I was a dork with no confidence, so actually speaking to her never entered the realm of possibility. Then one Tuesday evening, Chelsie walked into Blockbuster wearing our blue polo shirt. Deloris had hired her the day before. New employees usually appeared without warning. Management rarely told the rest of us who had been hired or when they were starting. Someone would simply arrive in uniform, and whichever employee happened to be working would train them. That night, I was the manager on duty. Chelsie’s training belonged to me. I could not believe my luck. At school, I was another anonymous face in homeroom. At Blockbuster, I was a manager. I knew the computer system, carried store keys, and could authorize free rentals. For once, I had status.…