•clueless•

•20•

"No ma'am, the cheeseburger doesn't come with tomatoes, that's the deluxe burger." I pause my writing on my notepad to look up at the customer. She had been complaining about almost everything she could. The table was sticky, her drink wasn't cold enough, it was too loud. With all due respect, she decided to come to bar, not a larger restaurant. Sure we served food but it was bound to be loud in here, it's a bar.

"What's the difference?" She sighed, glancing up at me. "The deluxe burger has lettuce, tomato, cheese, onions, and pickles with your choice of toppings such as ketchup on top of the patty. The cheeseburger just comes with cheese and a burger patty." I adjust my weight onto my right foot.

She doesn't reply, instead she just continues looking down at the menu. "I can give you more time, if you'd like-."

"I don't need more time. I'll take a chicken sandwich with a side of french fries." She cuts me off, forcing the menu into my personal space. Forcing a tight lipped smile, I took it from her. "Yes, ma'am. I'll put that in now." I nod, eagerly rushing away from her.

Throwing the notepad down, I put her order into the system. I didn't need her negativity today, I was too focused on Rooster and the others. Last night was pure torture without Bradley sound asleep beside me. At first I fell asleep peacefully, but around 5 am I woke up and couldn't stop thinking about everything and anything that could go wrong with the mission.

"You alright, Rae Rae?" Victoria softly smiles as she joins me at the system.

"Mhm. Just some lady being difficult. You doing okay?" I questioned, turning my body towards her. "Exhausted. Penelope had nightmares last night so I didn't get much sleep." She wipes her face with her jacket

Victoria was a single mother, her daughter was only four years old. She co-parented with her ex, but there was still tension at times.

"Awe, I'm sorry. Tell Penelope I said hi for me, please." I smile, watching out over the bar. Everyone was doing good, my mom was checking on the difficult woman.

"She's been asking about you. She misses her Rae Rae." She laughs, joining me. "I miss my Nelly, too. How is she, other than the nightmares?" I enquire.

"She's great! Happy go lucky. Speaking of which, can I ask you for a favor?" She turns to me again.

"Anything." I affirm, scanning the room once again. "So um, I work tomorrow night and I was wondering if you could watch Penelope since you work the morning shift? Leon works so he can't take her." She asks, fiddling with her fingers.

"Of course! I miss my mini best friend." I ask, a happy feeling rising in my chest. Penelope had her moments, but she was an incredibly sweet kid.

"Awesome! I'll bring her in and we'll switch off. She's going to be so excited." Victoria beams. "I am too! We'll go shopping, get some dinner, maybe some ice cream, watch a movie, it'll be fun!"

"Always Auntie Rae hyping her up on sugar and sending her back to Mom." Victoria laughs. "It's in the job title." I laugh, making my way to clean up some free tables.

Turning back to her before I got too far away, I proposed an idea.

"How about she spends the night? So you can get some rest?" I suggest, leaning against the bar counter. Her eyes light up as she looks up from the bar sink.

"Really? You'd do that?" She laughs. "You deserve a break, Vic. Plus, she loves staying over at my place." I laugh, straightening my posture.

"Yeah, yeah. I might just take up your offer." She nods, brushing her ponytail off her shoulder as she continued working. Nodding, I tapped the table before making my way to the main table area.