Jasmin

Chapter 2

All dressed for work in a clean white button down shirt and black pants. My name tag says Roxy and my face is covered in makeup and my shiny black shoes are in my sling bag with all my other Roxy stuff. It was so easy this gig, a few years ago I was checking the garbage behind this midline chain restaurant when this girl came out stomping mad, screeching that she didn't care if her parents wanted her to get a job it was just crazy how much she was expected to do and remember. She climbed into her car and threw her shirt and pants out the window, driving away in a huff. I don't turn down free clothes, especially nice ones and as she only worked for a little bit and the whole thing was a new outfit for her job, you could tell I grabbed them quick. I soon heard one of the waiters and a couple cooks out on a smoke break betting that she wasn't coming back for her shift the next weekend and made a plan.

I showed up with the clothes and the name tag the next weekend and said my parents made me come back and apologize. They put me straight to work and the tips were money in my pocket after that. I became friendly with the other staff and after a few weeks I asked the day manager when I pick up my check. They mailed it to my address. Crap. But I have learned how to be quick on my feet, I had planned for a this or a few other problems. I asked him if they had my old address or my new one, changed it to 'Aunt Grettas' place and now with my old friend Chet's help I cash my check every month with him taking a 10% charge.

I know things are working great right now and with high school coming I started to figure out how to get ID and a birth certificate with Jasmin's name and birthday, Chet came through a few weeks ago with some connections but its going to cost big time. I have been saving up all summer.

I am working the supper rush and things are fast when suddenly my night turns south. I rush to my new table all smiles and thinking about how big my last table tipped me and as I glance to my young couple. I sigh because kids never tip well, but put on a big smile to try to make their night special.

"Hi, I am Roxy I will be your server, can I start you with any drinks?"

The beautiful brunette in the red summer dress looks up from her menu the hostess gave them and smiled. "I would like a Sprite please."

"And you sir?" I turn my whole body towards him to show how well I am paying attention to my customers. He looks up and I freeze, I can feel the chill as all the blood rushes from my face. He looks confused and stutters.

"Josh, she just wants your drink order." I recognize the girl now too, I had seen her a few times in Josh's car or around the house, but we had never really met or were introduced. I don't think we were ever in the same room together for longer than a second.

"Pepsi" He almost squeaks. His eyes just stare at me.

I take a small breath, tell myself to just not pass out. "Would Coke be ok?" Its barely a whisper. I swallow and try to smile. My heart trying to escape up my throat.

Josh finally takes his eyes off me to look down at the table. Thank goodness he's not going to do anything, please don't let him ruin this for me.

"Coke is fine" The girl says, I cant even remember her name. I am just so focused on Josh. Trying to think of why he would be here. This is not the kind of restaurant that the Prontis parents would go to, and Josh is only just about to turn 18, and most likely to go to a fast food joint than a place like this.

"Be right back with those." I am so glad my voice didn't squeak. I run to the drink station and just try not to hyperventilate. It takes me forever to calm down as I get their drinks and I get back to their table. One of the other servers even asked me if I needed a quick break to run to the bathroom or something. I declined and walked back to my section. They are whispering as I place the drinks. I smile as best as I can. "I will let you look at the menu and will be back to take your order in a bit." I don't even wait, they don't look ready to order anyway as I run to another of my tables. I can fake this. I have lived in a world of different realities, shifting personas and I can do this. I mantra those words over and over again. All my other tables are set and I need to go back. Confidence a thick mask on my face.

"Are you ready to order? Or should I give you more time?" I ask as I get to the table.

The brunette is getting upset, her bouncy curls shimmering around her head as she try to get him to do something and Josh keeps looking over at me. I shift my body to give him my back and look directly at the upset girl and in the move kick Josh in the foot as best I can without anyone noticing. I smile as sweetly as I can and even relax my body and stare into her face with a flirty smile. She looks a bit shocked and glances down at the menu to tell me her meal and I ask politely about sides and string it along as long as I can, ignoring the troublesome 17 year old I kicked. By the time I move to look directly at Josh he seems to of finally come out of his shock. I shift my body and stiffen up a bit to show I am not interested in anything but an order.

"Well, Roxy was it? I don't think I heard all the specials. And I was just wondering what wine pairs well with Graces chicken?"

Boys are trouble, pure trouble.

I list the specials through gritted teeth, smile over at Grace like I am more interested in her than a silly guy who fails to impress. A huge thanks to Jessica for some trade tips early on, I must say I am quite good at the body language for so many situations. I know now when to make eyes at the guy for more tips, or at the girl to show her I wont be in her way on her date. Learning to read a table was actually easy after four years on the street, where you learn to look and see who people are, who will listen to a sob story, or who may have a bit of change in an easy pocket. My biggest issues at the restaurant are the old men pinchers, and have had to cajole a male waiter to switch tables a few times, but mostly I can say I am very good at this job. I finally make eye contact with Josh again as I ask him for ID for any spirits to be ordered, almost sneering at him to put the little boy in his place.

"The steak with baked potato." Oh he gives up so easily. I smile brightly and put their order in. I time my break so that the bus boy delivers their meal. I reappear later for a drink check and deposit the bill. Josh gives me a look I have never seen on him before but sure is familiar. It looks just like his mother when she was about to start questioning me about things, or after she had called Gretta's house to talk to her. I know I will hear about this later. And yes, his tip was just less than 10%.