(au)
Ally.
It was my first week at a new job and a new place. My daughter, Maddie was hanging with one of my new co workers, Normani. She ended her shift and I still had one more hour, she volunteered to color with her, which I thought it was sweet. She has a daughter, with her wife, Dinah, who was a little older than Maddie, so I trusted her with my child. Maddie, was only 4. I was really honest with the boss, upfront, I have a 4 year old child and it was just me and her. I didn't have my family out here in Miami. Her other mom, was not in the picture and didn't want any part of Maddie's life, which broke my heart. I raised her all by myself, a little help with my parents and brother but they knew I needed a change. We still talk and all, but they understood.
I was cleaning a table on the other side of Maddie still keeping an eye on her. She waved at me. I smiled at the little girl and waved back. I put away my cleaning stuff on the counter where it was suppose to go. A woman, with raven long hair walked in.
"Hi, sit anywhere you like, is it just you, miss?"
"Thank you and no, I'm suppose to meet someone here, I guess she got stuck with traffic." she spoke.
I nodded and told her that's fine. I grabbed two menus and laid it on the table she sat.
"I'm Ally, and I will be taking your order, can I take your beverage while you wait, or would want to wait till she gets here?
"Um, hmm, I guess I'll take a sweet tea while I wait. I'm sure she won't be long."
"Alright, I'll be right back with your sweet tea then."
I came back right away and then decided to sweep up, while I wait for a little bit of time. I would sometimes check the door and she was staring at her phone while sipping her sweet tea. A couple came in and I told them sit anywhere you like and I'll be right with you.
I introduced myself and took their order and put the menus back on the host stand. I looked at the alone woman. She give me a shrug and I walked over to her.
"Need more time or are you ready to order?"
" I guess she's not coming, I called and left her too many messages. I'll take the fish tacos with um, can I get straight fries with that?
"Of course, do you want it grilled, blackened or hand breaded?"
"Grilled please."
"More sweet tea as well?
"Yes please. Thank you."
"Of course."
I went to get another glass of sweet tea and I put the order in. I felt sad the person she got stood up. I had 10 more minutes left in my shift. I was hoping I could join her. Just once.
I went over to Maddie's table, and told her if she would want some food here, so maybe we could join the nice woman. She nodded her head and told me what she wanted.
"Hey, so I don't do this usual but that little girl over there, is my little daughter, and if you would like some company, we would like to join you."
"Aw, that is so sweet, and kind of you, of course, and she's so cute."
"Thank you, I just gotta clock out, and make sure I got everything done, and I'll join you."
"Alright, sounds good, Hi little one, I'm Lauren."
"I'm Madison. but you can call me Maddie!"
"Mads, I'll be right back okay?
"Okay mommy."
I smiled at her and then the nice woman. I walked back to the bar, to make sure I got everything done. Normani came to say bye as she was going home to Dianh. Sarah, the nice girl who was coming in for the next shift came by and said hi to me.
"Hey Ally, how are you?"
"Hey Sarah, I'm good, you?"
"Yeah aren't you going home?
"Not yet, having lunch with my daughter and a new friend over there."
"Oh very cool! I'll bring your food out then."
"Thanks!" I smiled and sat with my daughter.
"So how's the tacos?
"Super good thanks!"
Talking to her was such a good thing that happened today. I kept staring at her as she was talking about what her life. I liked getting to know her.
