Problems Anonymous(complete)

Chapter 8

My hair was in a high messy bun, stains ran throughout my yellow smock, and my white sweater tied around my waist. I carried plates high above my head, and rushed to jot down orders, and deliver them all to the right people. We had been extremely busy these past few days, and bags had started to form under my eyes from sleep deprivation. It was Friday, but it felt like I had practically been here since Tuesday. I hadn't seen Austin since then, which felt weird, considering we saw each other almost everyday now.

People say if you're still up at 3 am, you're either in love or lonely.

Or, you have a never ending shift at a 24 hour dinner, and that, I can tell you is worse. I had been up at 3 am countless times before, because I was here.And 12 am.And 1 am. And 2 am.And 4 am. And you get the point.

"Maisy, table 8 is still waiting for their coffee!", my manager, Jerry, barked.

"Ok", I mumbled, as I struggled to juggle glasses of juice to a group of kids at a booth. I turned around, accidentally spilling some all over the floor.

"I'm so sorry!",I apologized to a customer, even though I hadn't gotten any on them. I bent down and mopped it up with some napkins, then returned to the kitchen. The head cook, Ray, shot me a glare. While I was busy being clumsy, orders had piled up.

This job was overwhelming, put in the nicest terms.

"I'm sorry Ray.", I apologized again as I took some plates in my hand.

"Maisy", a tired voice came from behind me. It was the other waitress, Sarah, an older, plump lady who looked just as tired as I was.She took the plates from me.

"I got them. But can you take table 4 for me hon?", she shot me a weak smile. I nodded and took out my pad and pen. Table 4 only had one person at the booth, so it was kind of like she was giving me a break.

I approached the table.The person had their menu up, probably examining all the options.

"Hi, welcome to Denny's, can I get you started with something to drink?"

He put his menu down. I gasped.

"What are you doing here? When did you even come in?"

He ignored my questions.

"Ya, I'd like a tall glass of I want my friend back.", he cheekily retorted. I rolled my eyes.

"Austin, I'm working", I turned on my heel to tend to another table.He followed.

"You can't keep this up forever!"

"Shut up!", I hissed.

"You hate your job!", he started to raise his voice.My manager shot me a look, but I shook my head, signaling I had it all under control.

"Get out, you're going to get me fired!", I whisper screamed.

"We had a deal.Do what you want to do! And keep up your health! Look at you, have you even eaten?! You're breaking it!"

"No I'm not!", I lied, as I maneuvered around him to serve meals to customers.

"Look, hate me now, but this is for your own good."

"What-"

He took the plates from my hands and set them down.

"Attention everybody!", he stood up on a chair, ad my face turned beet red. Everyone stopped moving to turn to him.

"This establishment is over working their laborers and this woman won't have any more of it!", he pointed to me.

"She quits!", he got down and grabbed my waist, maneuvering me outside.We passed Jerry, who was fuming. We came out into the late afternoon daylight, and I had to squint, I hadn't seen it in so long. I pushed him away from me.