The Real Super-Hero: Aunt May

One of our regular trouble makers, Tiffany, had begun to make an appearance. She started off as a troubled, rowdy teenager, and we thought over time she may learn to mature and, you know, not be terrible. But she quickly followed in her mother’s footsteps: Married trailer trash, had a few kids, divorced, and lived on the street for years.

She was the type to blame everyone else for her own problems, and right now? She was blaming me. I asked her if she needed some new clothes, which she asked for pretty regularly, and immediately she turned, pushed me to the floor, and started screaming at me. I quickly pulled myself up and closed the distance between us.

“Hey! You better show respect whenever you’re in this kitchen, or you’re going back outside where the trash like you belong!” I scream… which I realize wasn’t the nicest response, but hey! It’s been a stressful few days, give me a break.

“Respect? Nigga, I’ve seen less slutty women in Playboy magazines than your bitch ass looks in here. If anyone needs a lil bit of class it should be your fat ass.” I growl, and take a couple steps forward, as does she.

This is usually our little dance anytime we see each other. We scream, we argue, then we end up, unfortunately, helping her and getting her out. But this was different, I wasn’t having this, not today. I clenched my fist by my side and was just about to raise it, whenever I felt a soft, delicate hand touch my chest to stop me.

“Ladies, it’s not worth the fuss.” Aunt May said calmly, and I took a small step back as she got between us and faced Tiffany. “How can we help you, dear?” Aunt May says with a soft, calming smile, which only seemed to piss Tiffany off more.

“I said I don’t need no damn help!” With that she grabs Aunt May by the apron and throws her backwards as she lets out a small yelp in surprise. I quickly grab her and help her to her feet, but as I start to roll up my sleeves Aunt May just stops me again.

“Everyone needs a little bit of help sometime, dear.” She says softly, slowly walking towards Tiffany with that same chipper smile. “Me? I’m an old lady. And I need to invite my lovely niece over there, who you just pushed, to help me get all this lovely food out to these beautiful people, such as yourself.” She says, motioning around as a few of the other patrons had started to share, which also shows Tiffany she’s making a scene.

“I need help sometimes too… we all need help.” She holds out one hand softly, which Tiffany then smacks away quickly and harshly. I lurch forward again, but May just quickly whips her head back around to look at me with a scowl, before turning back to Tiffany, and raising her hand again. “What do you need, dear?”

“I…” Tiffany starts, a growl still in her voice… that quickly subsides as she sighs and then continues. “Can I get a new shirt, and some of that jambalaya I can smell you cooking back there?” Tiffany says, still a snarkyness to her tone I didn’t like, but much more docile.

“Of course! But only after you apologize to my niece.” May says. Tiffany gives me a quick eye and then a snarl, before shaking her head.

“Sorry… skank.” She says softly, giving Aunt May a quick eye to see if that was good enough. May just crosses her arms and shakes her head again with a soft scowl, that makes Tiffany growl. “Ok! Fine! I’m sorry!” She says, exasperated. May smiles warmly, and pats her shoulder.

“Go see Ms. Li, she’ll get you a shirt and a fresh warm bowl.” Aunt May says, giving her a soft push in the direction of one of her helpers.

“How… why did you do that?” I ask her, which causes her to turn her attention fully to me with a curious look. “She was… horrible. She is horrible, and you just help her?”

“Of course, dear.” May says with a smile, closing the distance between us as she pats my shoulder lovingly. “Just because we don’t like somebody, doesn’t mean they don’t deserve our help.” She says softly, before taking a step back. “In fact, the ones we dislike, may very well be the ones who need help most of all.”

My heart sinks at her words and I hang my head softly, as a quick blush grows across my cheeks, embarrassed by my actions. I open my mouth to speak, but before I can May stops me again, pushing one finger to my lips.

“Don’t worry about it, darling. How about we get through this dinner rush, then you get that cute booty of yours to bed, huh?” She says, as if it wasn’t 6PM on a Saturday. Still, I chuckled and give her a quick nod, before the two of us split up and get back to work.