Mad Woman✓

22. My drug is my baby

"Lord, save me, my drug is my baby I'd be using for the rest of my life"

   TAYLOR

Joe is already at work and I am getting dressed in the bedroom for my job at the bar. I wear a white shirt and black skinny jeans. I tie a white hoodie around my hips in case I get cold. I probably won't, but it's nice to have something warm with me. There isn't much of a dress code at the bar where I work. As long as the top is white and the pants are black, I'm good. I apply some lipstick in front of the mirror before I put my sneakers on.

I grab my purse and walk to the bar.

When I first went there for a job interview, the owner was overjoyed. She only has a few employees and they all work overtime. She told me that I could stop any time I wanted - in case something happens to our family in America and we had to move back.

I told her that Joe's mother is very sick and that, even though we love living here, we will probably move back to the US before the end of the year.

It was no problem, she was just glad she had an extra employee for a little while.

It's only a five-minute walk. The big neon sign above the door says "CAFE/BAR". It's the only bar in town. The place doesn't even have a name, nor does it require one.

"Hi!" I smile as I walk in, the warmth in the bar falling over me like a blanket.

"Hi Betty", one of the customers smiles at me and I wink at him before going to the canteen to take my coat off.

Ynja, my boss, smiles at me when she sees me coming in. "It's busy", I say, "And it's not even eight yet." "It has been crazy all day", she sighs. "You could have called earlier, you know I would have come." "I know, I know.. But I wanted to give you some time to relax. You worked all day yesterday, and the day before. I see you're exhausted." "I'm fine, Ynja", I smile, "Don't worry about me being tired. I can handle it very well."

I hang my coat and purse on the rack. I only have a two-hour shift today. Thelma was supposed to work tonight, but her husband fell from a ladder when he was cleaning the gutters this afternoon, so she had to go to the hospital. Ynja called and I immediately said yes when she asked me to come.

"Thank you for coming. I don't think I could survive without you tonight." "Of course, any time", I smile and I tighten the hoodie around my hips, "Can I just start?"

"Yes, yes! I'll be there in a moment. Finishing my dinner real quick"

I nod and go into the bar. I take my place, standing behind the counter and taking orders, mixing drinks.

Jannika is walking around serving everyone their drinks once I have made them. I really like the job most of the time. I think it's fun making the drinks. I love drunk people. And the people are all so kind here. And when they're grumpy, they're hilarious.

Especially when they refuse to speak English to me. I speak a little Icelandic since we moved here, but the main things I can say are: "I love you", "Look, a cat!" and "Can you tie my shoes?". I haven't used any of the phrases yet. I'm sure I will someday. It's just that the right time hasn't come yet.

"Did you see the snow?" Jannika asks, watching me shake a daiquiri. "Yes, I woke up in the middle of the night, looked outside and it was so beautiful", I smile, pouring the drink in a glass.

"Yes! I woke up and everything was white- It's my favourite kind of morning." I smile at her and set the drink down in front of the customer sitting by the bar, "Here you go, sir. One daiquiri." "Thanks, beautiful." "Don't flirt with me, mister", I say jokingly.