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The mall’s break room was mostly empty except for Tater, the sign spinner for one of the potato-based restaurants in the mall. Tater practically begged Jerry to let her take her break early since they weren’t busy. Tater sat at the break room table, her headphones playing an Ed Sheeran song. She was too busy disassociating to notice the door to the break room opening.
“Hey, slow day today?”
Tater was momentarily startled, taking off her headphones, “no, you’re having a slow day.”
Frite sighed, “you don’t have to fight me all the time. It’s just us, don’t let Jerry get into your head and make you think I’m your enemy. I’m suffering through this stupid feud just like you.”
“You’re nothing like me! You’re rich. You’re a duchess. You could leave and go live your perfect little rich life away in Malibu or Milan or wherever the fuck you wanna go!”
“I know.” There’s a beat of silence before she mutters, “but you wouldn’t be there with me.”
“What?” Tater was sure she misheard.
“I’d want you there with me, Tater.”
“I can’t just pack up my entire life just because-“
Frite kneels in front of her and grabs Tater’s hands in hers, “run away with me. Please. I can’t stand another week of wearing this stupid sailor themed potato costume. Sometimes you’re the only thing that motivates me to get through a shift. Just escaping into the break room for a few minutes and seeing you has been the highlight of my week.”
Tater could feel her resolve slipping by the minute. She looks into Frite’s eyes and sees hope and something else she can’t name. “Why does it matter if I’m there? I’m not like you, Frite. I can’t afford to just move halfway across the world. I’m barely making enough to afford my tiny apartment and manage to not starve myself. I mean, most of the time I have to steal leftover potatoes from work so I don’t run out of food.”
“I’ll be able to afford it for the both of us.”
“But I’ll be guilty if you pay for plane tickets and an apartment and whatever else we need.”
“Then you can repay me over time. Tater, I’m serious about this. Serious about you. Serious about us. Please at least consider it. I need you there with me.”
Tater was torn between her loyalty to Jerry and her secret relationship with Frite. She didn’t want to abandon Jerry, but the temptation of finally leaving the Spud Hut and moving on with her life was pulling her in tighter and tighter. She was so pathetic, especially when it came to resisting Frite. “I’ll think about it and I’ll let you know by the end of the day.”
“Okay. Meet me by my car after your shift ends.”
“Okay. I’ll see you later.”
Frite smiled softly down at her as she stood to leave, “later tater.”
Tater was lost in thought for the rest of the day, imagining what her life might look like if she ran away with Frite. She had reached a decision and when she went out to the employee parking lot, she found Frite leaning against her car, waiting for her.
“Hey.” Tater was nervous about her decision, but her mind was made up.
“Hey, Tater.” She opened her mouth to say more, but the other woman cut her off.
“I’ll go with you.”
Frite was shocked by the sudden certainty, “what?”
“I’ll go with you. Wherever you wanna go. I don’t care. I just wanna be with you.”
Tears formed in Frite’s eyes and she pulled Tater close. “I love you, you perfect, pathetic potato.”
“I love you, too.” She pulled Frite into a kiss, cupping her face and delicately wiping away the tears of both joy and relief. They broke the kiss and Tater chuckled. “You’re so pathetic.”
Frite chuckled, “only for you.” Their next kiss was filled with passion and promise. Wherever they went, they would be together and for them, that was enough.