Waterworks (H2O Just Add Water) 🌊

15. The Big Chill

I wasn't too surprised when Emma started her part-time job at the Juice-Net. When I brought in a crate of mangoes and peaches from the backyard, she eagerly took them from my hands. Wilfred was thrilled to have Emma working for him since she was prone to organizing. 

When I brought another crate of lemons and passionfruit to the cafe a couple of days later, I was surprised to find Rikki working there. It turned out she needed the funds to get concert tickets since she was broke. Though it was Cleo who suggested Emma hire Rikki. Wilfred was out of town for the weekend and Emma had the run of the place. 

"How's life in juice world?" Lewis asked as he and Cleo and I arrived later on.

"There's only so much control freakiness I can take," Rikki replied as she wiped a couple of the outdoor tables.

I could tell having to work for Emma was nearly pushing her off the edge. Sure, Emma can be bossy, but for the right reasons!

"Think of the concert tickets," Cleo suggested, "And besides, it's only one weekend."

"I could always help pay for the tickets," I offered as Lewis and Cleo headed inside the cafe to place their order.

"No, Zo," Rikki shook her head, "I can't let you do that. You're too kind. This is something I wanna earn for myself."

I nodded at her.

🌊

Later, Rikki came over to the house feeling frustrated. I could tell Emma got to her in a bad way.

"What happened?" I asked as I answered the door, "Did Em say something to ya?"

"I quit the job," Rikki answered as I let her inside and both of us sat on the couch, "Having to serve a certain customer who hates our guts is so repulsing."

"Lemme guess, Miriam."

"Yeah. Found out she was allergic to strawberries after serving her a strawberry smoothie."

"What about that concert you were wanting to go to? I could help chip in."

"I'll figure something out."

That second, Grandpa arrived in the room, "We could always use an extra hand at drywalling." I could tell he was joking. It was just Grandpa and Dad on the job. Though sometimes, they had someone help them out.

"I doubt Rikki would want to have drywall mud all over her," Grandma remarked though she knew Grandpa was a comedian.

"It's hard to wash off," I turned to Rikki recalling how Grandma and I struggled to wash off the drywall mud from Dad and Grandpa's clothes and often resorted to shopping for fresh work clothes for them.

"One of the jobs I worked at had an overbearing supervisor," Grandpa turned to us.

"How did you put up with him?" Rikki wondered.

"It took time and soon we came to have a clear understanding of each other."

"I think he meant that sometimes, putting up with someone like Emma isn't always easy," I clarified, "Though, in time, both of you guys will understand each other." 

"How soon? Not exactly overnight."

"It takes a lot of patience, sweetheart," Grandma assured Rikki.

I could tell she felt a bit better from hearing my grandparents' advice.

🌊

I was woken up by a notification tune. I wondered who would be texting me so early. So I checked my phone and saw that it was a message from Emma telling me to get to the cafe and that it was urgent. Knowing her, I got dressed and left a quick note on the fridge in case either Dad, Grandma, or Grandpa didn't see me.