When The Clock Strikes (ONC 2020)

7| Risks

"I need a double burger meal with no pickle on the fly!" I called to the cook in the kitchen. When he didn't acknowledge me, I repeated my statement.

"Yeah, yeah. It's comin', princess," he replied with a thick New York accent.

Sometimes, I really hated my job. Well, New Years was over and today was January 2nd. Even though I was still feeling depressed because of what happened with Adam, I was back to work and trying to start the New Year fresh.

I would like to say so far so good, except I got the unfortunate privilege of working with the biggest asshole in the restaurant. I found myself wondering if I should also get a new job if I was truly starting fresh. Unfortunately, I didn't really have that luxury since I was responsible for my apartment now. It was definitely easier when there we're two incomes involved. Not only that, waitressing wasn't always a steady money.

"Excuse me, miss? Miss!"

I looked over to table three and cursed under my breath when I saw my regular temperamental customer. Karen. I walked over to her table and I noticed she hasn't touched the grilled chicken salad I brought out to her. Great. Just great.

"Yes, is there a problem?"

She curled her lip and she poked at her chicken with her fork. "This is supposed to be blackened chicken. Does it look blackened to you, dear?"

For a moment I simply stared at her. I remembered when she ordered the salad very clearly. She never even mentioned the word blackened. It didn't matter anyway, because in this business, the customer was always right. And I hated it.

"I apologize for the trouble. I can have the cook make you a new salad and I can discount your bill for you."

Normally I wouldn't have just offered to discount the bill unless it was absolutely necessary. But since money was super tight right now, I needed to make sure I was making good tips. And anyone who had an issue with their order, never tended to leave a good tip.

"I would appreciate that," the customer replied with a snarky tone.

I picked up her plate from the table and started walking to the kitchen window. As soon as I set it down, Javier, the asshole cook, gave me a look.

"What's wrong now?" he barked.

"This is supposed to he blackened chicken. I need a remake please."

After he sucked his teeth and rolled his eyes, Javier took the plate and did as I requested. I glanced at my watch and groaned. Three more hours to go until I would be headed home. I was counting the minutes.

"Remake up!" Javier called out as sat the double burger no pickle on the counter.

"Thank you," I breathed as I came and picked it up. I carried it over to the family of four and set it down in front of the father. "Here you go, sir. Again, I'm so sorry about the mistake. I hope you enjoy your meal and be sure to let me know if you need anything else."

"No problem," the man said with a smile. "Thank you."

See, it was customers like that that made me not completely hate my job. I walked to the makeshift break room area where employees kept their snacks and drinks. The only thing I brought with me today was a bag of pretzels and I probably would have passed out already without them.

I ate more of the salty snack before taking a sip of my Coke. My inner voice told me to stop drinking soda, but there was something about it that made it difficult to say no to.

I threw my now empty pretzel bag away before I washer my hands and returned to the floor. I started walking towards the family of four to check on them when a voice I never thought I would hear again stopped me dead in my tracks.