Composure

Chapter 3

It's been three days since I got beat up by the group of guys who decided to prey on the local teenager. My stomach has its own mind, but the healing process has been going okay. The doctor explained to my aunt that I shouldn't go to school the next few days because I 'need a break' or so he thinks.

I could have easily took the option to just stay home, relax, and have a good time... but no. I'm working opening to closing shifts like I have been for the past two days in a row while this is my third. It's been slow, but not bad either. Yes, it's illegal that they work a minor, but I'll be 18 soon enough so there'll be a less sign of the cops giving the restaurant a visit.

The smell of black coffee and maple sausage fill my nostrils as I clean off my last table before my break. The door rings in my right ear as customers still continue to enter and leave the diner with full belly's or eager attitudes to get full belly's, depends if they decide to enter or exit. I was lucky to get a ten dollar tip on a twenty dollar check, which was pretty cool. I was lucky to even get a penny left on my table, too. People are assholes.

'So, Nina, you gonna explain the makeup defect or did you expose your inner demon and fight someone?" Monica stood behind me while putting her tables dirty dishes away, still putting her concern all on me as I did the same. I can't deny that what happened was terrible and hostile, but I can't acknowledge it happened, especially to people at work.
Monica's attitude changed as she saw my face turn into a different crease for I do that when I'm into deep thought. Her shoulders slouched and a look of disappointment shattered over her.

"I hope you're not getting yourself into trouble.." she started wiping off the clean dishes with a dry, yellow rag in fast, circular motions. "Maybe I should just take the rest of your shift today. I'll talk to Bob."

"No, Monica, that won't be necessary I can handle it. I'm just a little tired, that's all." I tried to assure her with my tone trying to sound as persuasive as possible. She gently put her dishes down, throwing her dish towel to the side in an agitated manner.

"Hell yeah you're 'tired'; you look like you haven't slept in days."

I didn't answer that question and I think that's all she needed.

"That's it, you're going home. You need to ice that, whatever that is that you don't wanna tell me, and get some rest." She walked away with her poodle skirt fluttering in the air. I huffed some of my hair that fell in my face after my hair has been tied up for a couple hours now. My baby hairs always pop out because my hair is naturally wild.

I take my apron covered from eggs and ketchup marking in the hamper. I turn towards the door to pick up the extra plates that other servers haven't had time to catch up on yet. The doors rings again behind me and since I'm off, I don't have to worry about greeting the customers. I wipe the table off with a sanitized rag on the booths and table top, wiping off every gross crumb left behind. I wait to hear the high pitched, but welcoming voice of Monica's because she always greets the customers. I never heard that voice. Bob gets mad if we don't go to the door right away so if she doesn't come to greet them, I would have to. Like expected, Monica never showed up. I might as well do it since I'll be going home anyway. I hurry to the back of the restaurant so I won't have to greet customers with dirty plates in my hands. Monica is struggling with getting her tables food all on one tray, focusing on how one could fit tightly on each side.

"Monica, you want me to get that?" I ask as I look at her struggling to make sure these plates of food don't plummet to the floor.

"No, sweety, I'm okay. Could you greet the customers upfront and seat them for me?" She asks when she finally figured out the locations for her plates, circling the whole tray. I nodded telling her it was no problem and I decided to speed walk to the front. I make it to the front, but go straight towards the menus while starting to greet the strangers. I look in the shelf to see what menus aren't folded inside out and ones that aren't all dirty or covered in dust over the plastic covers.