Maripolite

Untitled Part 8

It was about nine-thirty.

It was Sunday morning.

She was in the Guillotine Restaurant & Bar taking a gentleman's order.

He had no idea what he wanted.

"I'll... have the... eggs benedict, no; no I am not quite sure. What do you suggest?"

Nathalie replied, "The eggs benedicts are quite good, I'm sure you will enjoy it."

"Are you sure because the pancakes look tempting"

"Quite sure", Nathalie wished he would just order something. This rundown place did not pay her enough to put up with this besides he was probably going to be a very bad tipper and there were other customers waiting. Paul would be down her back any moment for it.

Nathalie tried her best to be patient as the dirty, greasy man slithered his way through the old menu to pick something that probably tasted like everything else. Just for this torture, she would suggest that the cook put some extra cigarette ash on his order.

"Ah yes I think I will have the pancakes with a side of eggs benedicts, two muffins, toast and one portion of bacon bits. Oh and don't forget the coffee, a whole pot please."

Oh that's all Nathalie thought the whole menu "Yes, Sir." she said "I'll be right back with your order", Nathalie walked away, fake smile securely fastened to her face

She remembered getting her first break around two that day and she sat at one of the stools at the bar to count her tips – one hundred and twenty-five dollars – it was not nearly enough to pay the hospital, she could not afford to pay and the longer her daughter stayed in the comma the greater the debt would grow.

She was worried and she did not know what else to do, her insurance had refused to pay because it was self-inflicted and she had nowhere else to turn, Nathalie sighed and looked up, the rain outside had started falling around midday, it started slow and now it was pouring it reminded her of her life, it just got heavier and heavier, she wondered when it would slow down, a break would be much appreciated, she really, really, badly needed a break.

Nathalie lay in bed recounting the circumstances that had lead to her losing her job. She looked over a the clock it was after ten she couldn't remember the last time she had slept that late and she was sure that Charles had not reminded his staff to wake her up deliberately. "What now?" she asked herself as she rose to start the day.

She had woke up late that morning the first time since she'd had that job her first thought to call ahead knowing how her boss could be,

"Hello, Guillotine Restaurant & Bar can I help"

"Hi Seith, Nathalie here can you please let Paul know that I'm a bit late but will be in"

"Hmm... yea"

"PAUL" Seith screamed as he took the phone away from his mouth, Natalie heard the noise of the restaurant through the phone and wished she did not have to talk to Paul directly.

"Yes...eh...Hello" Paul said as he answered the phone

"Hi, Paul, Nathalie here...."

"No Jackson, two grilled burgers one well done and one medium rear" Paul screamed to the short-order chef at the restaurant cutting Natalie off.

Nathalie waited until he came back to the phone "Yes who is this" Paul asked

"Nathalie, Nathalie here, I.....ah..... just wanted to say sorry for being late. I mean with all that has been happening with my daughter and all I have had some late nights and stuff and I just happened to wake up late and I will be in, in a short while. I will work the late shift if I have to"