Scenes From a Soap Opera

Abby the Benevolent Boss

Abby was making the rounds at Society, stopping by tables, checking on the staff. It was during that check that she noticed something unusual. One of her servers, her best server if she had to be honest, wasn't acting normally. Ciara was still a friendly and attentive server, but her smile wasn't reaching her eyes, she seemed distracted.

"Ciara," Abby called out. "Can you come here for a minute?" She felt terrible for scaring her when she noticed the young girl's deer in the headlights expression. "You're not in trouble; I just want to talk for a minute."

Ciara visibly relaxed. "Sure Mrs. Chancellor, what's up?" She sat down next to Abby at the bar.

"First, please call me Abby. There's only one Mrs. Chancellor and I'm nowhere near her." An image of Katherine popped into her head. "Second, I just wanted to check in with you. Is everything okay?"

Ciara started stammering, "Yes, why? Has someone complained? I'm so sorry. Please don't fire me. I really need this job."

Abby was confused; this conversation had gone completely off the rails. "No, you're a wonderful server. I hear nothing but glowing compliments about you. I could be completely wrong, but something seems off about you. You seem distracted, lost in thought."

Ciara froze on her bar stool. In truth, there was something that was bothering her. She really did need someone to talk to, but she wasn't sure if she could completely trust Abby. The waitress liked her boss, but she didn't know her all that well. "You're right. I have been a bit distracted." Ciara took a deep breath. "The deadline for college applications is fast approaching, I have to make sure all my ducks are in a row, my resume is perfect, you know."

No, Abby really didn't, but she nodded along anyway. Abby chose to forego college; a choice she sometimes regretted. Adam said that college wasn't all it was cracked up to be, but she saw the smile he would get when he didn't think she was looking. A smile full of nostalgia for a simpler, happier time. "That seems like a lot of things for one girl to have on her plate."

Ciara shrugged, "Pretty normal for any high school senior. I'm sorry that I let it distract me from my work. I'll try to keep it out of my head during work hours." She got up from the bar stool so she could go check on her tables. "Did you need me for anything else, Mrs. Ch... Abby?"

"No, you can get back to work." Abby smiled. Ciara nodded and headed back out onto the restaurant floor. The youngest Newman knew that her waitress wasn't telling her everything, but she didn't want to pry. She was sure if Ciara really needed someone, she would open up. In the meantime, she had a restaurant to run.