A Nurse's Healing Touch

Chapter 1: What a First Day

Chapter 1: What a First Day

-Oliver's POV-

I walk up to the little cafe that I have only been to once before I moved to the little town of Sylva. I stare at the sign that reads Fur Cafe and I take a deep breath in then slowly exhale from my nose. The nerves come into play simply because this little cafe will be my new job. I put on a somewhat smile and step inside. A female bobcat anthro says, "welcome to Fur Cafe how may I help you?" I place my right hand on my left shoulder, "yes, my name is Oliver. I'm here for the barista and waiter position."

The woman smiles, "oh of course my name is Lyla, I'm the owner of this little slice of heaven." She places a hand on my shoulder, "hey don't worry about anything, It's just the two of us. I have a feeling that you will be just fine." My smile falters as I say, "I really hope that your right." She smiles brightly, "Oh I trust my feelings, now let me show you what I need you to do." I nod then follow her behind the counter.

After a few minutes of her showing me how to work the coffee machine, she gives me a black apron with a bright orange paw print. She then held out her hand and on the center paw pad there was a name tag with my name on it. I smile as I take it and pin it to my apron. "Alright Oliver we are about to open and remember anything you need help with just know that I'm right here, just ask. Now I'll take tables one through four and you take four through eight." I nod and take another deep breath as Lyla walks around the counter and flips the little sign that hangs on the door to open.

It's been a few hours and a handful of people have come in, and as I thought the first few orders were shaky, but I eventually make it through with Lyla's help. About half way through the shift I find my groove, and Lyla even notices by slipping a compliment every chance she can. Once I'm done with another customer, the bell above the door rings once again. I turn to the door with the brightest smile I can muster, "hello, welcome to Fur Cafe. How may I help you today?"

The one person I don't want to see is standing in the door. My ex-boyfriend Connor, my entire mood drops and my demeanor changes. I quickly go behind the counter and directly to the back room. The fear from seeing him makes me want to run away, I mean that's the whole reason why I left my home town to begin with. Tears stream down my face as flashbacks of his massive pawed hands smacking across my face.

As the flashbacks keep flashing in my brain like a strobe light feature in a haunted house, a single voice pierces the veil. "Oliver, are you ok? I was wondering where you went that customer is sitting in your area." I shake my head, "I'm sorry Lyla but I can't wait on him. You know a little about my past, well that is my ex that physically, mentally, and emotionally abused me. I mean I don't know why he's here or how he knew I would be here?" She shook her head in disbelief. "So is he the one that you have the restraining order against ?" I nod and she only nods back with a stern look on her face.

I stay in the back but when I hear a loud commotion coming from the dining area I step out to see what's happening. I'm shocked to see Lyla in Connor's face screaming, "leave now he doesn't want to talk to you. Your band from here and if you come back I will call the police." Connor looks smug and eventually looks at me with a sinister smile. It's like he knows I'm terrified of the mere sight of him.

Eventually he leaves and Lyla walks back up to me, "Oliver he's gone, and there's only an hour left until we close up shop here. Do you think you can handle it?" I nod my head and continue on with my shift. Eventually Lyla walks up to me when the last customer walks out the door. "Well that's the last one, do me a favor and lock the door behind them." I nod and go to the front door and start to lock it.

Before I can, a taller somewhat familiar wolf anthro walks up to the door. He looks exhausted and is wearing baby blue scrubs with an identification badge hanging from his shirt pocket. I open the door and say, "can I help you sir?" He nervously smiles, "I'm sorry I know it's a few minutes past closing, but is there any way I can get a coffee? I really need it for this shift." I look at Lyla and ask, "could I possibly serve him? He looks like he really needs it, I'll do all the dishes." She smiles, "sure Oliver, if you need me I'll be in the office doing some paperwork."

I happily nod and open the door for the tall handsome wolf. "Alrighty what can I get for you sir?" I open the door wide and he walks in from the fast approaching night sky. He smiles brightly, "oh thank god, all I need is one extra large black freshly ground coffee." I smile once I realize who this man is, "Logan is that you?" He looks at me for a moment, "Oliver is that you?" A smile brightens up my face, "oh my god it's been forever." He smirks, "I know right I think the last time we saw one another was in high school."

Logan was the star athlete at my old high school in Town Creek. "That last thing I heard about you was playing college level football." He nods, "yeah that was fun but all things have to come to an end. It just so happens mine came to an end because of a leg injury." My smile fades, "I'm so sorry to hear that." He nods, "it's all good I ended up finishing college and getting a bachelor's degree in nursing." My expressionless face turns to a bit of a frown.

He looks at me a bit concerned then asks, "so what's been happening with you? The last I heard you and Connor was moving out together." A single tear rolls down my face, "yeah, just like you said all good things have to come to an end." I wipe away the tear really quick, "so what can I get for ya? We don't want you to be late for work?" He nods, "I'll just take a straight black coffee in the biggest to go cup you have." I nod then get to work on his drink.

While I pour up the drink he asks me another question, "so when did you start here?" I smirk, "well actually today was my first day." He nods, "well your doing an amazing job for this to be your first day." I shrug my shoulders, "yeah I guess that comes with working for restaurants back in high school." He nods, "oh yeah didn't you and I work for Billy's Taco Shack together?" I nod, "yeah we both talked about how we needed money for prom and all that."

After a very small trip down memory lane I hand him his coffee. "Well as much as I would like to catch up I need to get going." Logan says with a bright smile on his face. I return the smile, "yeah I understand. You know where I work now so come by and see us again." He nods then pulls out his wallet, "how much do I owe?" I hold up both my hands, "nothing, it's on the house for old times."

He looks at me crazy for a moment then insists that I take the money but I refuse once again. "Oliver, I don't want you to get into any trouble on your first day." I shake my head, "it's ok I can cover it don't worry. You might want to get going for that shift." Logan checks his watch and quickly stands up, "oh dear lord I have five minutes." He then turns to me in a hurried expression and says, "we should catch up sometime." I laugh and shake my head, "that sounds nice." I walk him out and wave before closing and locking the door.

I smile thinking about all the good times I once had, but quickly frown once again at the thought of Connor crosses my mind once again. I finally decide to honor the agreement I made with Lyla and get to work on all the dishes that we have made throughout the busy day we both had.

Thirty minutes go by and all of the dishes are done and Lyla walks out of the office. "Is everything ready to go?" I smile, "yes ma'am." She smiles, "great all we gotta do now is lock up and go home." I smile and follow her out the door and make my way towards my apartment only a block away.