One Cup of You

Part 6

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This is a raw, unedited version of this book. You may see some grammar, spelling and continuity mistakes. One day, I might turn this into a paperback, but for now I just need to share my story !

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After recovering from my latest hangover I threw myself into work and busted my ass keeping the store together for the Holiday Season. I filled every minute with busywork to make time move more quickly. I perched myself behind the dish sink, tucked away in the alcove beside the drive-thru window. It kept me busy and left me unavailable for chit chat for the duration of my shift. I could tell the other staff were relieved not to have to take station there. We had an unspoken rule that if a person was totally peopled-out, they could remain at dish pit as long as there were dishes needing doing. And since I was the manager, I got to decide where everyone hung out.

Perched in my dugout, I was hidden from anyone in the lobby but could see the entire restaurant. Jamie came in for another training shift and I liked that I could observe him without him or anyone noticing. The lineup was all the way to the door, and he stood awkwardly just inside the counter, and watched as everyone behind the counter hustled to get through the afternoon rush.

He stood in awe as he watched each person do their piece of the barista puzzle. His eyes went from the boy at the cash, taking orders to the espresso machine where Katie plowed through lattes. He jumped when she started the blender behind her. Katie whipped around to start an espresso, and then back to the blender to finish the frothy, cold drink with some whipped cream before the espresso finished filling up the tiny cup. Donnie barreled into the kitchen past me, carrying a tray of steaming hot muffins and shouting "HOT PAN!". Everyone shifted slightly as he navigated through the tiny area behind the counter, but continued to maintain cat-like focus on what they were doing. I saw Jamie continue to watch the cycle, mesmerized.

Like most trainees, he looked nervous and confused. Normally, I could trust Katie and the cashier Pierce to handle showing him the ropes, but I felt somehow responsible for him. Like I had taken in a stray cat off the street and it was now my job to house train it. Simultaneously, I didn't want to hover, or give him any inclination that I was interested. Proximity to him was all it took to send me off the rails and feel the urge to do some very not-safe-for-work things. I was a good boss and not about to get a citation from the labour board for sexual harassment.

I dried my hands and emptied the sink. Confident that I could control my animal instincts, I figured that was a good time to emerge from my cavern and relieve the cashier for his break. I stood quietly next to Jamie at the register while he fumbled over the next order. I recognized the customer and knew his regular order, so I waited to see if Jamie could understand all the modifications. When Jamie realized I was there, he jumped slightly and moved his body as far away from me as he could without stepping away. I cocked my eyebrow at him, a little alarmed that he had reacted so awkwardly to seeing me. Maybe I smelled bad?

"Oh, hey Stevie. I didn't think you were here! I was just looking for you," he said.

My throat tightened with self consciousness. When I was watching him, I assumed he was looking on at the dance of the baristas, when instead he had been trying to figure out if I was one of them. I felt like I had caught him doing something wrong, but he readily admitted to looking for me, so it confused me that his face was so red.

"So, a caramel macchiato then? What size?" I asked the man in line who was waiting for Jamie to work it out.

Jamie gestured with his hands, making the shape of a giant cup. "He wants the biggest one." he said, smiling. I laughed, and reminded him of the fancy name coffee shops used for their sizes.