A Doll of Hope

Chapter 11

The next morning, Christie woke up early to go to work at the diner. Quickly getting herself cleaned up, she peeked into her father's room. It was empty. With a sad look on her face, she let out a sigh.

"I guess Dad never came home last night. He probably found a new woman or something. I just hope he doesn't get into too much trouble. Than again, that's probably hoping for too much." With a sad sigh, she walked out of the room and headed outside to catch the early morning bus stop. As she walked through the back door of the diner, she could smell the early morning breakfast being prepared.

"Morning everyone."

"Morning Chris."

"Welcome back."

"How did your shopping trip go?"

"It went great! I found the perfect outfit for me to wear tonight and my friends paid for it as well as all the accessories I could have asked for."

"Good for you. I'm sure you'll look beautiful. But first things first, come help me take the chairs off the tables. We've got thirty minutes till it's time to open."

"Yes sir!" Quickly, Christie got to work at setting the tables. Just as they were setting the last table, her stomach let out a loud growl. With her face as red as could be, she wrapped her arms around her stomach.

"What's wrong, Chris? Don't tell me you skipped breakfast this morning." Christie scratched her head as she let out a fake laugh.

"Well, you know how it is. I wanted to get here as soon as possible to make up for yesterday. I just forgot."

"Geez, you're just as bad as my kid sister. We've got fifteen minutes till time to open. I'll finish up while you run into the kitchen and grab an apple or something."

"Thanks. I'll take you up on that offer." Rushing into the kitchen, Christie looked on the counter. She spotted a plate that had a ham and cheese omelet on it. As her mouth watered, she was tempted to grab it for herself.

"No way! I can't do that. It's for the costumers. Besides, I've been able to resist the alluring temptations so far. I can do it again." Just then, her stomach let out another growl. Face now red, she put her finger in her mouth and tried to look away.

"It's okay, Chris. You can go ahead and eat it." Christie looked to see one of the head chiefs smiling at her from the other side of the kitchen.

"You must be hungry. I can hear your stomach growling from all the way over here. Go ahead and help yourself." Christie looked at the plate and swallowed.

"Are you sure, sir?"

"Positive. I can always make another one." With a big smile on her face, Christie grabbed a fork and took a bite.

"Mmm! This is heaven!" She squealed as her face lit up. Taking the plate to the break room table, she happily enjoyed the head chiefs cooking. Before she realized it, she had eaten the whole thing.

"That was great! I feel a lot better now." She said as she drank a glass of orange juice.

"I hope there's room for dessert." A voice spoke up. Christie looked to see the head chief standing behind her with a smile on his face.

"I figured that little omelet wouldn't be enough to fill you up. So I made you a little something extra." With that said, he laid a plate of blueberry pancakes down in front of her.

"Yeah! Pancakes! Are you sure it's okay?"

"Of course. Besides, you'll need your strength. You've got a big day today." Christie's face lit up.