Sugar sugar baby

[62] Fresh start at Starbucks

It had been a few weeks since I told Vanessa I needed a break. The whirlwind of emotions from our conversation had slowly faded, and now I found myself in a completely different world—one where luxury yachts and private jets were replaced by the familiar hum of a coffee grinder and the hiss of steam from the espresso machine. I'd landed a job at Starbucks, something simple, something grounded. It felt good to just... breathe for a while.

The morning rush had just started, and the café was buzzing with activity. I was behind the counter, wearing my green apron and cap, and it was surprisingly... satisfying. The rhythm of the job—the constant orders, the quick exchanges with customers, the quiet satisfaction of handing over a perfectly made latte—it all felt right.

The door jingled as another customer walked in, and I glanced over, offering a quick smile. "Good morning! What can I get for you?"

The guy, maybe in his mid-twenties, smiled back as he scanned the menu. "Uh, yeah, can I get a grande caramel macchiato, extra caramel?"

"Sure thing," I said, punching it into the register. "Anything else for you today?"

"Nope, that's it."

"That'll be $4.95," I replied, and after he paid, I moved over to the espresso machine, starting the process of making his drink. The rhythmic sound of the milk steaming and the coffee brewing was strangely comforting.

"Extra caramel," I muttered to myself, grabbing the bottle of caramel syrup and drizzling it generously over the top.

As I handed him the cup, the guy grinned. "Thanks, man. Looks perfect."

"No problem. Have a good one!" I called after him, turning back to prep for the next order.

It was like this for most of the morning—constant, but not overwhelming. I felt like I was actually doing something productive, something straightforward. No games, no manipulations, just coffee.

As the morning rush started to die down, I heard the familiar voice of my manager, Kim, calling out from the back. "Tristan, can you come here for a sec?"

I glanced over my shoulder and saw her leaning against the doorframe of the small office, her arms crossed but with a friendly smile on her face. I wiped my hands on a towel and walked over, trying not to overthink it. I hadn't been here long, but I was doing my best to make a good impression.

"Yeah, what's up?" I asked as I stepped into the small office.

Kim, a woman in her early thirties with a no-nonsense attitude but a heart of gold, smiled at me. "I just wanted to check in and see how you're doing. You've been here, what, a couple of weeks now?"

I nodded. "Yeah, something like that."

"Well, I have to say," she continued, leaning back in her chair, "you're doing really well. I've worked with a lot of new hires, and it usually takes them a while to get the hang of things, but you've picked it up quickly."

I felt a small sense of pride at her words. "Thanks. I'm just trying to stay focused and do a good job."

Kim nodded, her smile growing. "It shows. You've got a good work ethic, and the customers seem to like you. Plus, your drinks are on point. Not everyone nails the macchiato on their first try."

I chuckled, feeling a bit more at ease. "I guess I have a knack for it."

She crossed her arms over her chest, her eyes still friendly but now a bit more serious. "So, I gotta ask—what brought you here? I mean, not to pry, but you don't exactly seem like the typical barista. You've got a certain... I don't know, something different about you."

I hesitated, not sure how much I wanted to tell her about the whirlwind that had been my life before this. But Kim was easy to talk to, and I figured, what the hell? "Honestly? I just needed a change. My life was... a lot. Things were moving too fast, and I needed something simple, something that made sense."

She nodded thoughtfully. "I get that. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is step away for a bit and regroup."

I smiled, appreciating the understanding. "Yeah, exactly."

Kim tilted her head slightly, studying me. "You're not planning on leaving anytime soon, are you? Because I could really use someone like you around here."

I laughed, shaking my head. "No plans to leave yet. I'm actually enjoying it here. It's nice to have something stable, something I can count on."

"Good," she said, her smile returning. "Because I've got a feeling you're going to be great at this."

I felt a small surge of confidence at her words. "Thanks, Kim. That means a lot."

She waved a hand, brushing it off like it was no big deal. "Just telling it like it is. Anyway, keep up the good work. You've got a good thing going here."

I nodded, feeling lighter as I headed back out to the front. As I returned to my spot behind the counter, the day seemed to flow even more smoothly. Orders came in, and I filled them without a hitch. The customers smiled, thanked me, and moved on, and for the first time in a long while, I felt... content.

The rest of the shift passed by in a blur of cappuccinos, frappuccinos, and cold brews. By the time my shift ended, I was tired, but it was the good kind of tired—the kind that comes from actually accomplishing something.

As I wiped down the counters and cleaned up the espresso machine, I felt a sense of calm settle over me. This job wasn't glamorous. It wasn't high stakes. But it was exactly what I needed right now—a break from the chaos, a chance to just be Tristan, no strings attached.

Kim waved at me as I clocked out. "See you tomorrow, Tristan. Don't be late."

I smiled, giving her a quick nod. "Wouldn't dream of it."

Q: Have you ever worked at a fast food chain before?