The Lost Duchess

2. New Regular

Somehow it took forever to get to my bike, but I've got to get to work. I grab my bike, unlock it, shoulder my backpack, and start pedaling toward my job as fast as I can. The gods must've decided to take mercy on me today because I make it with five minutes to spare. My manager looks surprised as I rush past him to the bathroom still trying to catch my breath. I pull my backpack off and pull my work clothes out and quickly switch into them. My ponytail needs to be readjusted, rushing around has knocked it out of place. I shove my other clothes into my bag and toss it to the side of the sink while I straighten my hair out. It feels like it's been twenty minutes by the time I'm done, but I'm finally ready to start my shift.

"Liara, good to see you on time!" my manager calls out when he sees me come around the corner. "Make sure you're clocked in alright?"

"Sure thing Connor," I head out to the computer and punch in my number, checking the number of customers we have at the same time.

There aren't many people here, but I'm not surprised. It's only 4:30 on a weekday so we won't have too bad of a rush tonight. I can finally relax at least a little bit tonight before I go home and start everything over again tomorrow. Hopefully without Lisa for once. I don't have any tables yet, so I start with the cleaning duties laid out for the staff. The morning shift didn't even touch it, but nothing new there. Halfway down the list, I finally get a table. My luck seems to have turned a bit because it's only one person. I wash up and make sure I've got everything I need in my apron before I head out front with a smile on my face.

"Welcome to Jack's Stop, my name is Liara and I'll be your server today," I may have spoken too soon, my customer is a teenager. I never seem to have good experiences with tables around my age. I hope my slight annoyance isn't showing as I hand him a napkin with utensils in it. "Do you need a minute to look over the drinks?"

"Nope, I'm going to try the tea and also a fire soda. I might need a minute to look at the rest of the menu though," he keeps glancing at the menu, almost as if it's going to change on him if he looks away too long. He seems nice enough though.

"Alright, I'll be right back with those for you." I put a couple of straws on the table next to him and walk towards the kitchen. Once I'm behind the door I tell Connor not to worry about the guy out there. Connor tends to worry about teens because one particular table a year ago trashed the place. He trusts my judgment though and goes back to the office. Nyle, one of the cooks, makes some small talk with me while I get the drinks, giving the customer a few minutes longer to look over the menu before I head out again. "Here's those drinks for you, do you need a little more time?"

"I think I know what I want, just had a couple of questions," he holds the menu up timidly pointing to one of our appetizers, "Does this come with genuine Kosyoch spice or just the imitation?"

"Unfortunately, it's just the imitation. I still think it's good though," I lean a little closer after making sure my manager isn't around and half-whisper, "If you'd like to try it, I wouldn't mind covering it for you just in case you don't like it."

"Oh no, I couldn't do that. I'll still pay for it, I was just a little curious," he seems nervous about something, and I notice something really odd. I can't hear his thoughts either. I'm getting everyone else in the restaurant except him. He interrupts my own thoughts by speaking up again, "I'll take one order of the spiced wings and a grilled cheese."

"Alrighty then, those will be out in a few minutes," he nods and I walk away to put in the order and run to get him some preemptive refills on his drinks. As I'm grabbing the refills, I try and focus on his area in the dining room. Nothing comes up though, just like earlier with Darrett. As I contemplate the odds of encountering two people on the same day that I can't read, I pull the cups out from under the fountain to keep them from overfilling.