Friday Night Fun Crew

2. Fun Crew

Two hours later, when we'd made it through the dinner rush, I finally got my wish.

"Hey team," TJ said through the headset. "I'd like to formally recognize this as the day Kate finally earns the headset."

Amanda and Dev let out whoops from the front, as Fanny called out congratulations from the dish washing sink. TJ handed the headset over reverently, as if it was some magical object, and when I settled it onto my ears, Rasha's voice came over the earpiece to congratulate me. I barely had time to thank her before the drive thru alert pinged and Rasha took the customer's order.

TJ shot me a double thumbs up from the garnish station as the customer ordered two trios and a happy meal. Before the order popped up on the screen, I'd already toasted the buns and laid out the wrappers. TJ nodded with approval and, just like that, the night vanished into a routine, supported by numerous sing-alongs . Except this time, I was the one with the headset.

After the last car had rolled through the drive thru, the last burger trays were washed, and the grills were cleaned, we all trooped back to the break room, tired but triumphant.

"Way to keep the order times down tonight, team," Rasha said, "I'm impressed."

"And way to rock that headset, Kate," TJ said, offering both me and Amanda the remnants of the last batch of fries.

"Thanks." I couldn't help but smile, proud that I'd steered the kitchen through the close of the night shift.

"And? What do you think of Friday night fun crew?" Amanda asked me, as she tugged on her sweatshirt.

I took a contemplative sip of my Coke. "I'd do it again."

She couldn't hide her smile. "Even one of your precious Fridays?"

Behind us, TJ and Rasha launched into a last-minute, spontaneous duet before they shut off the radio.

I couldn't hide my smile either. "As long as the fun crew's here, even on a Friday."

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