Middle Child Syndrome- Ian Gallagher

management sucks

Sean left Chicago and gave the position of manager to Fiona. In turn, Fiona gave me the assistant manager position. Slowly, I became the most hated employee there. All the older women who were still servers were jealous of me and felt it was unfair that I got the position. Melinda and Olga especially. 

It was another crazy day at the restaurant. The meat delivery guy just came, so I had to rush over and sign for it. Fiona had enough on her plate with the credit card device not working and us being backed up in the kitchen. 

"You were supposed to be here yesterday!" I said to the delivery guy. 

"The refrigeration unit on the truck broke down."

"Uh-huh. And you guys only have one truck?" I said, "We ran out of hamburger meat last night. Head manager had to buy patties at Osco's."

I heard dishes clattering and glass breaking. 

"Shit," I said, walking into the kitchen only for Fiona to already be tending to the situation.

"Don't worry, Athena," Fiona said, "I got Marina. Go see if tables need a refill on coffee or drinks."

I nodded and went back to the restaurant, checking on our customers. The job itself was quite stressful, but it could be rewarding.

Lip walked in. He just came back from rehab.

"Oh my god, hi!" I said, hugging him, "You just get back?"

"Yeah," he said, "Good to see you, Thena. You the manager now?"

"Assistant manager," I said, "Fiona's head manager until they can find someone to replace her permanently. Can I get you anything? Coffee?"

Fiona walked in and saw Lip, running to give him a hug. He sat down as Fiona poured him coffee.

"Can't wait to go back to waiting tables," Fiona said, "This job sucks."

I shrugged, "Yeah, I don't like how batshit everything is, but I like being head honcho, you know?"

"What's with the tattoo?" Lip smirked, looking at her forearm. 

 "Something to remind me not to be an idiot.  Was gonna get it tattooed on my forehead, but I chickened out. Want something to eat?"

"Nope," Lip said, "But I could use a job. I'm a bit short of cash."

Lip got expelled, something I learned from Ian, but Lip said one of his professors was gonna try to hook him up with an internship of some kind. 

"You know, if you don't mind scraping shit in between your fingernails, we could use another dishwasher," I said.

"When can I start?"

"Could use some help now."

______________________________________________

I went home around 5:30 to find Ryder already cooking dinner. He worked as an events manager and was getting paid a lot better than he was at Patsy's. We were able to get an apartment nearby too. It was actually really nice given where it was in the city. 

"Hey, babe," he said, "How was work?"

I groaned, plopping face-first onto the couch. 

"Patsy's still a shit hole?"

"I fucking hate this new job sometimes," I said, "Delivery guy was late and gave me some bullshit excuse. Workers don't know how to do their damn job and something's always broken and the customers never are fucking happy no matter what. I don't get paid enough for this."

"Sounds like a good steak will cheer you up," Ryder said.

I perked my head up, "Steak sounds very good."

He smiled at me.

"How was work for you?"

Ryder shrugged, "The regular. Can't complain. However, I'm gonna start working the graveyard shifts, so it looks like you're gonna have to start cooking for a while."

"By graveyard shifts, you mean?"

"Probably won't get home until like three am."

"Jesus," I said, "And when do you have to be there?"

"Like one pm."

I got up and hugged him from behind as he put the potatoes in the oven.

"My hard-working boyfriend."

Ryder turned his head and kissed me on the forehead, "I love you, Athena."

"I love you too."

_____________________________________________________

I was in the back making the schedule for next week when Fiona came in.

"Hey, babe. I have good and bad news," she said, "Which do you wanna hear first?"

"Bad news obviously," I said as I typed in mine and Fiona's hours. 

"Ok. So, bad news is the hiring manager just came in, and they're still in the hiring process and want you and me to keep our jobs for another few weeks."

I turned to her, "You're kidding. They said they would've found a guy by now!"

"I know. I'm pissed about it too," she said, "But the good news is you and me can raise our hourly wage by a dollar."

I rolled my eyes, "Fine."

Melinda came in the back, "Hey, Athena. Can I have off next Tuesday? Gotta go to a PTA meeting."

I scoffed, "I would if you didn't constantly ask me for time off."

"It's a PTA meeting!"

"So?" I said, "Not my problem."

Melinda glared at me, "You think you're the shit because you're twenty-one and pretty and you're higher up than I am, but when you're still here in twenty years and broke, the joke's on you."

Melinda went back to FOH and flipped me off.

Fiona and I looked at each other and just laughed.

"Wow. Management sucks!" I said, laughing.