Roberto worked quickly, giving a winning smile to whoever came in. Today's flavors had been a hit with his freezer showing French Vanilla, Banana Nut, Tutti Fruity, Bubblegum, Double Chocolate, Cake Batter, and Twisted Toffee.
He had been passing out samples, scooping out cones and most importantly building his brand and making money. Finally, the after lunch lull had hit and he had a break. Not a break from work, all those customers had given him a lot to clean up, both in front of the counters and behind. As the last satisfied customers were tossing out their napkins, Andy walked in.
Roberto had looked up, hoping to drop the rag he had been wiping down tables and greet a new opportunity to build a brand but instead, he watched as his nephew came in, his eyes buried into his tablet.
Andy grunted but he didn't even glance at Robert as he slouched into the booth, tablet clutched in his hands and eyes fully glued in place.
Roberto had work to do so he didn't try and force it. If the kid wasn't in a mood to talk, and certainly if he wasn't in a mood to help, Roberto could focus on what mattered.
As Roberto continued wiping down tables and cleaning messes, he felt someone staring at him. Glancing up, he met the eyes of his nephew as the last couple made their way out of the store, rushing back to their nine-to-five jobs where their bosses were certainly waiting for them to do something or other.
Roberto watched Andy watch him for a while but he didn't really understand why he was staring. Sure, his shirt was tight and strained against his massive arms but he didn't think his nephew was staring at that. Of course, some guys had in the past and he had let them but that was their deal and not his.
Roberto broke eye contact and went back to cleaning but after a wipe or two of the table, he felt the armpit of his shirt rip. Either he had moved too fast or the shirt itself had been cheaply made. It was a cheap tee, probably poorly made.
As Roberto moved behind the counter he heard his nephew say, "Uncle Bo, your shirt ripped."
Unbeknownst to him, he had never been called Bo in his life. However, after hearing his Bo remembered some of the teasing he had received in high school as his classmates had called him Bovine. Of course, it hasn't helped that his nickname had been Bo, his middle name Valentino, and his last name Inez. But, it had helped that he had been strong as an ox. Easily leading the powerlifting team to victory.
So, he had been called Bo V. Inez but he had been popular and cool during his time at school.
As Roberto made his way around the counter, he still felt Andy's eyes on him but he had work to do that didn't need the input from a surly teen.