Black Temptation

Chapter 19

"McKenzie, Rachel, those tables need to be cleaned off ASAP!"

Of course when I didn't get much sleep from the nightmares, we had to have one of the busiest days in Fudgie's history. I scramble to retrieve a clean towel and rush to clean off table 5,6, and after the waitress so calmly stuffed my tip into her pocket, table 7.

Huffing, more people rush in and sit down at the newly cleaned furniture, bringing their filth, toys, and spit with them.

This is gonna be a long night.

Why couldn't it just be like that tea place Harry took me to, where there were people for every need? I guess that leisure is for the rich folk...which reminds me of the many questions I still had for him.

Rich? Nah! There's has to be an explanation for the invitation and that Audi. Has to be.

I return back into the kitchen where, not only am I the food-picking-up waitress but the chef-waitress. Sliding Germ-X on my tired fingers, I reach for a spatula and over turn three frying hash-browns laid down for me.

"Country fried steak, clattered, splattered, and covered. On wheat toast!" A hoarse voice yells from the rectangular window hanging high in the wall.

Soaking steaks sizzle on the grill as I thank god for the plastic gloves we wear or touching that meat would be impossible. I reach for the, thanks to Adele, already choppped onions. Putting toast to toaster, shoulders collide with one another. Annoyed is what I would've been if I was sane. Her pale face retracts from the stove and hits mine.

"Sorry, McAdelKenzie." We say simultaneously, the words to mixing with one another. Snickering, we return our faces back to the task.

"So, how long have you been working here?" She says, putting more potatoes on the stove. I don't think this is an opportunity for small talk but she obviously does. She smiles at me quickly before going back to whats cooking.

"Um...3 years." I say in a more 'thats all you need to know, let's play the quiet game now ' tone. Nodding, she puts the grilled steaks on buttery texas toast along with the onions. I overturn the hash-browns before passing them to her to put on the steak. ..

FAT PEOPLE UNITE!

She covers it and puts two packets of ketchup near the 'delicacy'. Reaching the counter, she rings the bell as another order comes in for us.

"Down and Dirty Omelet, cheesed."

Running to the fridge, my clumsy body hits a counter with excess mustard splattered all around. I mentally curse myself, grabbing a nearby towel.

"McKenzie, do you have the eggs?" Adele yells from the other side of the kitchen. Her voice is deeper and showers over the chaos this fast day has caused.

"Yeah." I grab the eggs and head back to my station.

We work like magic and then another order comes in...an order I've dreaded since working here. Only making it once, I probably gave that person food poisoning.

"4 double cheeseburgers on wheat and white, covered with pickles, onions, lettuce, tomato, 3/4 of relish, ketchup, light mayo, and mustard. Fries seasoned and make it snappy!"

'What? Did they bring their entire neighborhood with them? Who eats that much?'

I return from the fridge with beef and even more beef, Adele looks at me, her brow furrowed in concentration.

"Ketchup, onions, lettuce, tomato, relish, light mayo, mustard, and.....pickles, how can I forget pickles?"

Avoiding other workers, I retrieve the pickles , putting them on our little working board and start frying the fries.

"3 years, so you must be really aquatinted with the manager?"

Again with the questions.

I shake my head, flipping over four burgers.

"No, we have a distant relationship. He knew my mom."

She grabs two plates, nothing else being able to occupy the stove and counter. Putting bread on the plates, she places lettuce and my diced pickles on it.

I guess having two hands is better than one...

A jingle comes from door and someone else has already entered.

'Dont they see how busy we are...inconsiderate little demons.'

"Hey, someone needs to get that man over there." Caesar, the manager, means to speak to the congregation but stares right at me. I gaze at Adele, working rapidly to put the done burgers on the half naked buns.

"Go. I'm sure Damon can help me or something. I'll be fine." Slightly reassured, I take off my gloves and sprinkle my hands with germ-X before exiting the steamy cloud.

I sprint in the man's direction after realizing which one wasn't already acquainted with a waitress. It takes me about two seconds of clear meditation about his figure before eye meets fiery armband.

My movements slow as I realize who the man is, the one who pushed me out of the way in the bakery almost forever ago, the one Harry pummeled a week ago. Finally reaching him, I clear my throat of its uncomfortable drought.

"Welcome to Fudgie's, my name is...McKe-McKenzie and I'll be your waitress this evening. What would you like to drink?"

He's looking down at the menu before staring at me with ablaze hazel meadows. Smirking he replies icily,

"A coke, no ice."

I almost finish writing it down when he questions,

"Don't I know you?"

Muscles tense at this. I lick my lips, shaking my head.

"No sir."

He uncomfortably stares harder.

"Yeah, maybe not."

I let out a deep yet subtle breath of relief as he eyes his menu once again.

"Would you like to know about our specials--?"

"Now I know where you are from! You're that slow moving chick at the bakery!" His voice echoes through the restaurant.

"Sir, I don't--"

I'm cut off by the annoying ring of the alarms. Havoc reaks as the dreaded word is said.

"FIRE!"