Player In Love? ✏️

Chapter 3

"Aye, Katrina has returned." Dante, the head chef, hoots.

"Kathrine." I correct, enunciating the syllables as I balance three plates on my arm. "Katrina. Kathrine. Same thing." He laughs, swiping his spatula to the side. Dante is a little bit shorter than me but he is a really funny guy, even though he can never say my name right. He is almost in his mid-forties and has been working here as a chef for about 11 years. Dante moved to New York 23 years ago from Italy. Even though he has lived here for a while, you can still hear his Italian accent. Rolling my eyes, I carefully walk out of the kitchen, stopping at my table.

"We've got the chicken strips." I pass the plate between two, young children. They are both playing Tic Tac Toe on the kids menu. "Who got the Bacon Cheeseburger?" I ask, looking between the man and woman. The guy raises his hand slightly, motioning that the burger is his.

"And a Red's Tavern Double for you." I smile, setting the plate in front of the lady. I notice the almost empty drink in front of her and motion to the glass, "Would you like another one?" She puts her hand in front of her mouth to keep food from spitting out and nods.

I make my way to the bar with the empty glass and get a refill. The bartender hands me the Berry Blood Orange Margarita and I move through the maze of tables. "Thank you," She says after taking a bite of her burger, "and can we get some napkins?" I nod and set a stack of napkins at the edge of the table. "Can I get you anything else?" I ask, smiling at the kids. "No. We're good." The man huffs. I see new customers being sat in my section so I walk to their table.

"Hi, my name is Katherine and I'll be your server today. Can I start you two off with a drink?" I ask, flipping to a new page in my order pad. "I'll have a water." The man- looks about in his 70's- mumbles. "Strawberry Lemon Vojito." The lady, looking about 20 years younger than the man, says snidely.

I write down their drinks and ring it in, walking into the kitchen after. I grab a circular tray and set five plates on it, heading to my table. After I distribute the plates to my table and ask if they need anything else, I grab the water and cocktail.

"Here you go." I say, placing the drinks in front of them. Tossing her menu on the table, I stumble to get my order pad as she orders. "I'm sorry. You wanted the Bacon Cheeseburger with a baked potato on the side?" I ask, scribbling on the pad. "Yes." She says sharply, glaring a hole in my head. I bite my tongue to keep a rude comment from coming out.

"What can I get you?" I ask, turning to the old man. He slowly reaches up and scratches his old, wrinkly head. "Same as her." I slip the order pad into apron and go put their order in the computer.

I walk to my table sitting next to a table of new customers and ask, "Would you like a refill?" I ask the elderly man who is watching his three grandkids. He looks up and waves his hand dismissively. "No. But I'm ready for my check." I pull the check out of my apron and set it on the table. The total came to be $57.35 and I start doing the math in my head. Servers should at least  be tipped 20%, so I should get a $12 tip. He puts a card with the check and I take it to the back to pay for his meal. When I walk back with his card, he's standing up and as soon as the card is in his hand, all four of them leave. I grab the $5 tip off of the table and move to the next table.

"Hi, I'm Katherine and I'm going to be your server today. Can I start you off with something to drink?" A girl and a guy- both look to be in their mid-twenties - are sitting across from each other. "Samuel Adams Boston Lager." The guy mumbles, roaming his eyes over my body. I ask for his ID and check him off. The lady says, "Water." As she reaches for the guys hand. I notice the sparkly ring on her fourth finger and she flashes a big smile at the guy. He does a shy smile and an awkward nod before returning his gaze to me. With the excitement emitting from her, they seem to be newly weds or engaged.