After I knocked on the door a very cheerful and happy voice told me to come in.
I step inside his office which honestly looks like a unicorn broke in and threw up all over it. Colorful motivational posters adorned the cream walls. Different colored plants sat all around the room and hung from the ceiling. There was a literal rainbow rug across the floor and and an array of colorful items sprawled out across his desk.
"Good morning sir, My name is Audra Peterson I'm here to apply for a job." I say some what happily. He smiles at me, "Are your hours flexible, are you friendly, happy, can put on a happy face even if your not, have a resume, references and all that jazz?" He asks firing questions at me left and right. "Umm, yes, yes, most of the time, definitely, yes, and yes." I say to his questions. "Great, Your hired!!" He says all happy like. "When can you start?" He asks. "Umm I can start today, but your gonna hire me just like that? No references, resume, more intense questions?" I ask questioningly, "Nope I trust you, you seem like a reliable person. Plus were desperate. No one has even tried to apply, and we're very short staffed. Manny will show you the ropes and if you have any questions you know where to find me." he says walking me out of his office and slowly shutting the door.
I walk back up to the front of the shop towards Manny. "Welcome to the team Audra, It's real easy here. All you gotta do is put on a smile and a cheerful attitude, and write down people's orders and bring them to the kitchen. Check on people and other small things, but we can get into that later. For now why don't you take these and take care of that table over there." he says pointing to a group of boys who just sat down. I nod.
I walk over there putting on a fake smile. "Good morning gentlemen, My name is Audra I'll be taking care of you for today, can I start you off with one of our specialty drinks, or a freshly baked pastry, or perhaps your more in the mood for one of our new breakfast specials."I say as cheerily as I can. "Uhh, we'd like your everything pastry platter, and uhhh..... an iced caramel latte, a plain coffee with sugar and cream on the side and a chocolate mocha, please." One of the guys said. "Perfect I'll have that right out." I say.
I do what Manny says and bring the order to the kitchen. Less than two minutes later I hear a ding, "Order for table 7!" The guy shouts holding a pastry tray. I take it from him and bring them their food. At the same time one of my new Co-workers brings out their coffee. "Here you are gentlemen, if you need anything else please let me know." I say cheerily. "Umm, actually there is something. Your number." One of the guys says. "I'm sorry sir but that's unprofessional. I cannot give you my number." I say trying to avoid giving my number to him. He pursed his lips. "Then how about you tell me when you get off and I'll pick you up for a day of fun." He says suggestively, winking at me. I look at him disgusted. But before I had time to answer a random person wraps their arm around my waist.
"Why don't you eat your food quietly and back off, she's already taken." The person says. I don't do a thing. I'm not very comfortable but I knew this person was just trying to help. I look up at him to see a very, very, muscular man. He had tattoos littered all over his body. The guy was seriously intimidating.
The other guy visibly gulped. The guy that was helping me started walking and I followed him. "Thank you sir, for helping me out of that." I say shyly. "Oh, that, it was nothing really, my name's Arron by the way." He said all chill like, I giggle, "Well thanks for getting me out of that." I say grateful to him. He smiles and nods.
I get back to work and Arron sits in the booth directly next to the other guys. A few other buff men follow him and sit in the booth. The other guys wave me over. Reluctantly I walk over and ask what they needed. "Just the check please." The one guy says.
I go to the back and add up their total. The receipt prints off and I take it to them along with a pen. He signs it and gives me his card. I go up swipe his card, add the tip, and bring him back his receipt.
The group gets up to leave and before walking out, he points to the receipt I have in my hand and does one of those hand signals that says call me later. I shake my head in disgust.
A few hours later...
I've been doing great. My boss, Tom, is very happy that he hired me. It was finally time for me to go home and I was very happy. Thanks to this job I'll have enough money to pay off so many of my debts.
I walk to Aiden's school happy I get off in time to pick him up. I wait outside the school for for a little while when I feel a tap on my shoulder. I turn around to see Arron. I smile slightly, "Hello." I say politely. He grins, "I didn't know you had a sibling. I too have a sibling, my sister, Maggie. I wait for her and pick her up every Thursday!" he says cheerily. I smile, "I don't have a sibling, I sit and watch the children like a creepy person." I say trying to get him to leave.
Instead he just chuckles, and says, "That's not weird, or creepy. It's kinda cute, actually...." He gets cut off by the school bell ringing signifying the end of school.
Children start pouring out of the school, after a minute a small little girl runs up to Arron. Well I guess he really does have a sister.
While I was watching them I failed to notice my kid barreling towards me. He Rams into my legs and attacks me with a hug. When he pulls away I notice a paper in his hands. "What's that Aiden?" I ask, "It's a picture I drew in art, look there's you, and me. Our family." he says cutely. "You lied about having a sibling." Someone says behind me. I turn around and look at Arron. "I never lied, I don't have a sibling. He's my kid." I say admitting the truth. "You seem pretty young to have a kid, where's his father?" He pries. "I might be young, yes, but I am doing great for as much as I have in life. And his dad left when he found out I was pregnant." I say.
"Oh, I'm so sorry for judging, I'm sure you are a great mother..." He trails off and slowly walks away with his sister.
"Who was that mommy?" Aiden asks clutching my pants. "Just someone I met at work." I say. He nods and asks if I can carry him home. I laugh, "One day your gonna be so tall that you'll be able to carry me instead!" I say.
He laughs as I lift him up onto my shoulders. We leave the school together smiles on our faces. And unknown to our happy faces a pair of eyes watch us as we leave for home.