Among The Wildflowers

𝕋𝕨𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕪-𝕖𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥: Gina's Little Helper

Gina tucks two loose strands of hair behind her ears and tightens her bun.

She picks up her serving tray and places two plates of the breakfast special on it.

Just as she's about to pass through the swinging door that leads to the dining room, she spots something out of the corner of her eye.

"Isabella Nicole."

Nic's head turns in Gina's direction. A smile is plastered onto the girl's face.

"Oh, hey, Gina," Nic says, trying to keep her tone light,"I was just looking for you."

"No, you were looking for sweets," Gina says,"don't lie to me."

Nic's smile falls.

"Grab three of those straws and come with me."

Nic watches as Gina walks through the swinging door. She shrugs, grabs the straws, and follows her mother into the dining room.

She spots Gina by a table filled with a group of chatty people.

"Let me know if ya need anything else," Gina says with a smile.

She turns to her daughter who's watching from afar, and motions her over to another table.

"Bella, these people would like the straws you've got."

"Oh," Nic says, fumbling for the straws she'd stuck in her back pocket.

The three people at the table watch her, patiently.

"Here you go," Nic says, a shy grin spreading across her face.

"Thank you," the woman at the table says.

"You're welcome."

Gina takes out her notepad and asks what she can get the three of them.

After taking the order, Gina tells her daughter to follow her back into the kitchen.

"Lila," Gina says,"I need two plates of hotcakes and one plate of eggs, bacon, and hash browns."

"Got it!"

"C'mon, Bella," Gina says, walking through the swinging door again,"Table seven needs a chocolate muffin."

Nic watches her mother get a small plate from the shelf behind the pastry display case.

"Can I have one?" Nic asks, as her mother places a chocolate muffin onto the plate.

"When your work's done."

"My work?" Nic asks, following behind her mother.

"Here's that muffin for ya. Anything else I can get ya?"

The young man smiles up at Gina, and shakes his head.

"Alright, well just holler if ya need anything."

Gina once again heads for the swinging door.

"Gina! What work?!"

"Oh, darlin'," Gina laughs, softly,"you're helping me in the cafe today."

Nic's eyes widen, and she shakes her head in disbelief.

"You can't be serious. I am not working in the cafe."

Gina picks up a pitcher of ice water and turns to her daughter.

"Oh yes ya are. It's about time ya learned how to work. Every kid in this town has chores and now that includes you."

"But, Gina," Nic tries to reason,"I've never worked in a cafe in my whole life."

The corners of Gina's eyes crinkle, revealing her amusement.