Work Text:
Jesse drove into the car wash and pulled up at the hand wash station. The guy in attendance immediately started washing the front of the car with a bucket of soapy water. Jesse stepped out of the driver’s side, planning to have a smoke while he waited.
The guy meticulously cleaning the car looked somewhat familiar, but it took Jesse a moment to place him. “Mr White?” he said in astonishment.
The man froze and turned to him. Yes, it was his chemistry teacher, who had taught Jesse earlier that week. He was wearing waterproof clothes, so unlike his usual smart attire.
“Pinkman,” he said with a brief nod. His face had gone completely blank. Jesse couldn’t tell what he was feeling.
“What are you doing here?” said Jesse, genuinely confused. It was like finding his dentist dealing him weed. “Did the teaching career not work out?”
“Very funny.” Mr White continued cleaning. Jesse watched as he scrubbed at the windows. When Mr White didn’t say anything else, Jesse took a cigarette out of his pocket. “You can’t smoke that here.”
Jesse shrugged, putting the cigarette away. “Whatever, man.”
Mr White completed the job in an awkward silence while Jesse stood with his hands in his pockets. Finally, the car was gleaming and Mr White led Jesse through to the payment area.
“So seriously, why are you working here?” Jesse asked as he handed over the cash.
Mr White slammed the cash drawer shut. “If you must know, I work a part-time job to provide for my family. Teaching high school chemistry doesn’t pay that well, believe it or not.”
Jesse tried to think of what he knew about Mr White’s family. It was hard to imagine him having a life outside of school. Didn’t he have a kid who was retarded, or in a wheelchair or something? Yes, he had brought his son into the school once and he had been using crutches.
“I’m not ashamed,” Mr White concluded. “So you can go ahead and tell your little friends, or put it on whatever website you kids are using these days.”
“Hey, fuck you, man,” said Jesse. He was vaguely insulted that Mr White thought he would laugh at him. “I didn’t say anything. You’re providing for your family. I can respect that, yo.”
“You can respect that,” Mr White repeated. “Where’s this respect when you’re flying paper airplanes in my class?”
Jesse shrugged. “Whatever, man. I came here for a car wash, not a lecture.”
“Since when do you even have a car?”
“It’s my aunt’s car. She’s sick. I’m doing chores for her.”
That wiped the self-righteous look off Mr White’s face. “Sorry to hear that,” he muttered, handing Jesse his change.
“Walt!” called a man from across the room, who must be Mr White’s boss. “I need you back outside.”
Mr White gave Jesse a curt nod and went back to the line of cars outside. Jesse watched him go.
There was a bucket on the side of the counter for staff tips. Jesse hesitated before dumping his change into the bucket, then went to get his aunt’s car.