Sweet Saltwater

Chapter 2

As expected the restaurant was full. Groups of tourists came and went in a constant stream.
Iris didn't mind a busy day but she also preferred evening shifts, when her uniform didn't stick to her drenched back and her hair didn't cling to her sweaty neck. She wiped her brow with her arm as she headed to a nearby table of six, their children running circles around the table in hysterics over a lost ball. Normally, she didn't mind children but somehow whenever she was working the most incessant and unruly ones seemed to fill the restaurant. She quickly cleared the table, a plastered "service smile" on her lips, just like the one Tilda taught her.

In the distance she heard the rumble of a nearby boat, she looked up to see the punctual AdroLine, the ferry service that brought tourists in from the big city. She knew that in a few minutes she would see Pierce front and center on the hull, a big grin on his face like always. There was nothing he loved more than spending the day on the sea, even if it was twenty minute, back and forth trips. All day. Every day. She herself didn't have the same love for boats but rather for the feel of the water on her own skin. Something she eagerly yearned for right now in this heat.

She took the family's plates inside, looking at the big mounted clock on the wall as she did so, 15:00 it read. Jesus, another six hours to go, she thought letting out an exasperated sigh.

"Everything alright?" Vern's stern voice sounded from a nearby table. How didn't she notice him sitting there? He was a large man, difficult to miss, who always took up what felt like a lot of space in a room, whether it was with his opinions or his booming voice.

"Yes...Sorry Vern, it must just be the heat getting to me." she said, her voice irritatingly girlish.

"Why don't you grab a glass of water and take a five minute break." he said dismissively as he stood up and headed out, probably to boss someone else around.
She knew somewhere deep down he cared about her and that this was his way of showing it, regardless how cold it may have seemed in the moment. She appreciated it. After all, he was the only father figure there was left for her. Her own father, often in a haze nowadays, didn't quite recall who she was, or if he did, he regarded her as  is she were the child she once was, during the early stages of his illness.

Iris grabbed a glass of cold water and stepped out onto the adjacent veranda. She sat in one of the wooden chairs, looking up at the grape vines that provided a thick blanket of shade, and let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. It had been over 10 years, yet thinking of her father always made her heart ache.

...

The rest of her shift was much of the same, clearing tables and bringing out plates upon plates of various foods; fried calamari, seafood pastas and the occasional cheesecake that Tilda baked just that morning. It was a routine that was etched into her bones, service came naturally to her.
It was easy for her to speak with the guests. She liked to hear their stories, where they are from, where they are going. She supposed it was because her own story was very simple; she was a girl from an island and she would remain that way. Often guests she spoke to would be surprised that a young woman like her lives on such a small island year round. They would often ask if she had plans to go study in the city, but her answer was always the same; this was her home and she wouldn't change that for anything. 

Nine o'clock finally rolled around and as Iris was changing out from her uniform she could hear Erica and Pierce in the distance, chattering with cheery voices. Iris put on a simple and comfortable summer dress that came down a little past her thighs, the white flowers dotting the fabric swaying with her movements. She brushed her wild hair and wrapped it in a bun on top of her head. As she walked out of the staff room and into the night she could feel the cool breeze on her neck. She took a deep breath in, taking in the scent of the sea and the sound of the waves struggling to drown out her friends' approaching footsteps. 

"Long one today?" Pierce called out to her with a goofy grin. His hair was a sweaty mess sticking to his forehead, beside him, Erica looked as put together as ever, her dark hair in a perfect braid that rested on her shoulder, a little red bow at the end swishing with her footsteps. 

"A hot one." Iris said, letting out the breath she was holding. The tension from her neck seemed to ease as the air escaped her lungs. She rolled her shoulders as she headed for the veranda, the only place where there would be no dinner guests and her favorite hangout spot. She pulled out a chair and sat down at the nearest table, her legs aching a little from the efforts of a nine hour shift. Pierce and Erica followed suit. 

"Is mum in the kitchen?" Pierce asked, placing his hands on the table, getting ready to stand up. 

"Yeah should be, otherwise you can try the overlook, I think Mr. Tomlinson might be in." Iris answered as Pierce started heading towards the wooden door to the house where the kitchen teemed with cooks. Iris turned to Erica, a little smirk playing on her lips.

"Did you ask him about the new girl?" she said, the smirk spreading to a grin. 

"He said she was sent home, couldn't do the job. They are meant to be getting a new guy in tomorrow or the day after, someone that used to come to Lagona apparently" Erica replied. Iris could see the relief in her friend's eyes paired with something like triumph.

Working on AdroLine was tough work, every year people would come and go. Pierce was the only constant in the on-deck business, which was also why, the last couple years, he got more responsibilities from the ranks above. Iris knew her friend was great at his job, but seeing him on those boats day in and day out she could sense that he was a natural born leader. Much like her, he was great with people, he had an energy that inspired joy and confidence in those around him. 

"Does he know who it is?" Iris asked, her curiosity sparking. 

"I think he finds out when they arrive. Why? Were you hoping for some eye candy?" Erica giggled, winking. 

"Oh yes because that worked out well for me before" Iris rolled her eyes.
She knew her friend was only joking, but she felt a pang of embarrassment. Iris hadn't had much romantic contact with boys since Nolan. Although that was a whole 3 years ago, she still felt like her heart wasn't whole yet. In truth, it felt as if the broken and jagged edges of it had slightly smoothed over, like pieces of sea glass, glazed by the constant caressing of the waves. It was progress, but her hopes of love and happiness had been trampled with such force, that day he left her standing on the dock, that she wasn't sure if there was anything that could mend them.

"Oh c'mon don't be like that" Erica stroked Iris' shoulder gently. The gesture was simple but it eased the twisting of her gut at the memory of Nolan. To her relief Iris could hear Pierce jogging over, a tray of sweets in hand - a welcome distraction. 

"Mum said she needs to get rid of these" he winked, taking a seat once again. The tray had all sorts of sweets; pieces of cake, cookies and three bowls of fruit salad. Iris reached for one, the watermelon and strawberry scent sweetening the air. 

"What news was it you had Pierce?" Erica asked him, her eyes still filled with concern as she dragged her eyes from Iris to him. 

"Oh yeah, mum has planned a music festival for the island. She found a couple bands that wanted to come over, so with free housing they agreed to do a little weekend arrangement in a couple weeks." He took a big bite of what looked like chocolate cake, smearing the frosting all over his lips. "Iris I'm sure she'll talk to you about it soon. She said she'll need help with a bunch of stuff" he managed, his mouth full. 

"That is gonna be so cool!" Erica exclaimed, also popping a piece of a cookie into her cherry red lips. "I'm happy to help too, maybe I can print out some posters and stick them all over town. Oh my god this is my chance at design!" she squealed, hardly containing her excitement.

Iris smiled. This was going to be good for the island. Most of all, she thought it was going to be good for her. Who knew what sort of people this sort of event would attract.