A FemGerita Love Story

Entschuldigung!

       The first day I remember seeing her was on a late Wednesday morning; which happened to be my least favorite day. It was the middle of the week and I was already so tired of being at work. Why should I have to be there anyway? It was a slow day and nobody was even there. All I wanted to do was go home, play with my cat, have some good food, and sleep. It also happened that today was a rainy day, which made me all the more tired.

       I sighed and rested my elbows on the countertop in front of me while resting my head in my hands. I perked up instantly when I heard the familiar chime above the door sounding cheerily, letting me know that a customer had arrived. I smiled at her and greeted her with a lively "hello" and a "welcome to Té di Italiana". She looked soaked; her hair was practically dripping and she was without a proper raincoat or rain shoes. Her face was red and I noticed that she was breathing hard. Had she ran in here to avoid the rain?

       She mumbled a hello and looked around before taking off her coat and hanging it up on the coat rack that I had placed by the door when I opened the shop. I mentally praised myself for remembering to buy one. With her coat gone, she wore a simple white button down shirt and dark blue jeans- both fit her figure very well. She looked quite nice- accepting her face. Of course, she definitely was not unattractive- It was the opposite really. She had fair skin, a sharp jawline, and thick stern eyebrows that were a shade darker than her bright blonde hair. It was her expression that I thought did not compliment her. She looked disgruntled- but I reminded myself that it was definitely warranted. She had just been caught in the rain. Who wouldn't be grumpy? I decided I would be extra cheerful towards this customer! I was determined to brighten her day up, even just a little.

       I smiled broadly at her when she walked to the counter and looked up at the menu. I  politely told her to take her time deciding on what she wanted, and made a joke about nobody being at the shop today. She didn't acknowledge my joke, but just looked like she wasn't sure how to respond. I continued grinning at her anyway, figuring that she felt a bit awkward.

       When she ordered, that was when I noticed her German accent. It wasn't thick like someone who was just learning a new language. It was more watered down, like she had been here for a while. I nodded at her, told her it was "coming right up!", and turned around to make her order...her...order? Her order! I cursed at myself silently. 'Shoot!' I hadn't even been listening to what she wanted! Slowly, I turned around and found that she had situated herself at a table and was looking out a window. Her hair was still dripping water down her neck and face, which she wiped at with the sleeve of her shirt. I glanced at her a second longer before deciding what I should do.

       When I approached her again, she looked a little surprised. Probably because what I had in my hand was not whatever type of tea she ordered, but a dry towel. "Wh-" she began, but I interrupted here. "Sorry" I smiled "I can't leave a customer all wet and uncomfortable in my shop!" I handed her the towel "here, dry yourself off". She took the towel apprehensively and put the towel to her hair. I continued standing there, hands clasped together. I decided just to go for it.

"So your tea..." I began casually, watching as she dried her hair "what was your order again?" I smiled at her sheepishly, and brought a hand up to scratch the back of my neck. I gulped when she stopped drying her hair and looked up with no expression. My face felt too hot. "Ahaha! Sorry! I just was distracted I guess and when I heard your accent I started thinking about your voice and I didn't really hear your order whoops haha, I must seem so unofficial to you and..." I rambled on, hoping she would accept my apology.

Finally, she put her hand up "please, don't worry about it" her eyes looked kind, and I almost missed her order again, noticing how blue they were. "I'll have a cup of black tea". I nodded and smiled, telling her that it would be ready soon, and turned around to go behind the counter to make her tea. I stopped again to tell her that she could just call me over when she was finished with the towel, and I would take it for her. "Oh, yes. Thank you very much for the towel also". Before I could respond she looked down and busied herself with drying her hair again. I giggled to myself.

When I brought her tea to her table, her hair was dry and the towel I had given her was folded neatly. "Here's your tea!" I sang. She thanked me and offered the towel to me, which I took. "Let me know if you need anything else!" She nodded and I walked away to my post again. I noticed she looked at me longer than a person normally would, and felt my face grow hot again.