• A Blackbird's Serenade • (GxG)

"Unforgettable Rhythms"

September, 1965

Omniscient

It's never easy, stepping out of your comfort zone. Especially when you've spent a good amount of time perfecting one skill, just to be told to perfect another.

An annoyed huff of air escaped Tiana's lips as she exited her boss' office. The tall mahogany door swung open as she left. "Be nice, Tiana!" Mr. Harvey yelled before the door slammed shut behind her.

A simple eye roll tagged along with her steps of fury into the back kitchen. Clinks of chef utensils, sizzling of meats, and the comforting smell of smoke trailed behind her as she passed. Heading around the corner and forcing open the door that read 'cooks only,' she finally let out a groan.

"Oo, I can't believe him!"

Pausing with a clip to her hair, Issa turned from the mirror. "What now Tee?"

Pacing the room, Tiana huffed again. "Harvey wants me to work the floor."

"The floor??" Raven and Lynette exclaimed at the same time, turning from their assigned shelves. "What he want you out there fa?" Lynette asked.

"Hell if I know," she threw her hand up. "He already know them customers get on my damn nerves-"

"Girl- Watch Tiana get to tusslin' with one of them customers," Lynette joked with Raven, and they snickered.

Laughing along, Issa, the oldest of the four, then spoke. "Did he give you a reason, Tee?"

"He says 'cause the club's gettin' more business, we need more hands and legs up front."

"So he pulls one of the workers from the back??" Raven raised an eyebrow, then scoffed. "Don't sound smart to me."

"Maybe we gettin' a new cook," Lynette shrugged. "I just hope it's a young fine specimen, comin' to sweep me off my feet-"

"Ain't nobody sweepin' yo overgrown ass, Netty-" Raven snickered at Issa's comment. "You 'bout seven feet tall, talkin' 'bout gettin' swept off your feet," she scoffed, then laughed as Lynette threw a rag towel at her.

"I'm only five foot, eight, Issa. I ain't even that damn tall."

"Mhm, keep tellin' yourself that."

As the women in the room chuckled, Tiana couldn't fully join. Only a year ago, she was new at the club, and had to learn everything there was to know about the kitchen. And now she had to do the same with the floor? Right when she'd just found her place in back of house??

Absolutely not...

Not to mention the rudeness of the customers and the attitudes of the servers. Other than her best friend, Coco, she hardly liked most of them. She considered this entire situation a lose-lose. What good could come from it, really?

Bringing her backpack of belongings into the other door that read 'servers only,' she held her breath upon her entrance.

She knew most of their names and faces, but right now her memory was fuzzy with irritation. As the three that were chatting turned to look her up and down, she mustered a grin.

"Hey. I'm T-"

"Tiana Thomas..." One of them walked up to her, extending her hand. "We know who you are... and how much you don't wanna work with us-"

"Oh I'm sorry, it's not you, it's-"

"You like bein' a cook, we got it," another said, and Tiana's eyes briefly found her feet. "I'm Margie, and this is Kyla," she gestured to the woman next to her, who offered a grin.