Midnight Run

Chapter Fifteen

Nora didn't get any sleep after her disappointing conversation with Kingston, and her eyes were bloodshot when she got to Books and Brew the next morning. Luckily, she wasn't opening with Laurel, so there wasn't any added drama at the coffee shop, but when she checked the schedule, she realized with a sigh that Laurel would be there when she came back on for the second half of her shift. Maybe I can talk to Todd about switching the schedule, she thought hopefully. After all, he did say scheduling would be one of my new duties.

The store hit an unusual lull around ten that morning, and Nora took advantage of the time to look over the schedule binder and see if she could find a way to avoid Laurel as much as possible. There were more employees at Books and Brew than she'd realized, and it seemed like everybody had a complicated list of conflicts that kept the schedule nearly gridlocked the way it was. It looked like the only way Nora could avoid Laurel and her drama was if Todd switched shifts with her, and she didn't think that was something she could ask for yet; she'd only been in the job for a few days. Better wait at least a month before I pester Todd, she told herself, trying not to be too disappointed.

She called home during her break between shifts, and was secretly relieved when her mom answered. At least that means she's still okay, Nora thought with a sigh.

"How are you feeling?" She asked, dodging around a pile of trash on the sidewalk as she walked.

"Fine, sweetie. Just a little bit more tired than usual, that's all. How's the new job?"

Nora grimaced. "Okay, I guess."

"What is it?"

"Nothing, Mom. Just one of the other girls there isn't really happy about my promotion."

Her mom snorted softly. "Then she should have worked harder, if she wanted it."

Nora's steps slowed. It had honestly never occurred to her that Laurel's cruel treatment of her could stem from jealousy. "I guess," she said slowly.

"You're a good worker, Nora. Always have been, and I'm sure the people at that shop have noticed. Well, obviously, your manager noticed. But I'm guessing you make the other girls look bad, even before you got this promotion." Her voice filled with pride. "You've always been so focused."

She wanted to contradict her mom, but thinking back over her time at Books and Brew, Nora wondered if she was right. Other than the few times she'd been late after a run, she was always early for her shift, and she was usually the last barista to leave at night, even before she became assistant manager. "Thanks, Mom," she finally said. "I guess that's her problem then!"

"Darn right!" Her mom started to cough right after she spoke, and the raspy sound made Nora glance at the phone in concern.

"Are you sure you're feeling alright?"

"Don't worry about me, sweetie. Just keep focusing on your work. Are you still running?"

The change of subject didn't surprise Nora; her mom had never liked the focus to be turned on her, even before the heart attack. "Yup," Nora said, smiling wistfully at the thought of Kingston. "I joined a midnight running club, and it's actually a lot of fun."

Nora could almost hear her mom shaking her head. "I'll never understand your definition of fun. Sticking your hands in the dirt is fun. Running? Not so much."

Nora chuckled. "To each her own, I guess."

"Absolutely." There was a pause. "Look, sweetie, I'm sorry to cut you short, but I think I'm going to take a quick nap before your dad gets home."