Happiness Doesn't Wait

Blake

I look at the whole place that we've decorated. I'm proud of the design I've made and it truly looks magical.

I stand tall with my hands behind my back as I watch the last of the workers organize everything. I decided to close the restaurant early so we could decorate the place and so, the last of the workers are saying their goodbyes. I walk through the spaces where all the tables are at with careful concentration. It all has to be perfect.

When I see that I'm left alone in the large area, I walk to where the kitchen is at. I smile at the chefs saying their goodbyes to me. As usual, Tina stays behind to look at the finishing touches of the kitchen. She's become very good at speaking English now, but I still talk to her in Spanish so she can feel more comfortable with us.

"Everything alright? I think you should go rest so you can be ready tomorrow," I say to her with a gentle smile.

Tina returns my smile and nods. "Thank you, sir." I give her a nod and watch as she puts her apron away.

I take one last look at this area of the kitchen and walk to where the lobby starts. Here, I smile at a few waiters and waitresses that are getting ready to leave. I've noticed that nearly everyone here seems to know each other and they have a very friendly relationship with each other. I always see them smiling or talking. That's the most important among coworkers. Keeping a good relationship so they can help each other out.

"See you tomorrow, chef!" Maddox says to me with shining eyes and a happy wave. I give him a kind nod and watch him leave towards the back.

There are still a few workers but the sound of a faucet grabs my attention. I go to where this sound is and see a pretty girl with her light brown hair down under her shoulders. Her button nose noticeable as she puts her hair behind her ear and her tired eyes concentrate on finishing the dishes.

I hesitate before going up to her. The memory of the way she told me that she was going to eat with Cam comes back, and I'm afraid to know what's going on in her head. I'm afraid that I'm not enough for her....

But I still command my legs to go to her. I slowly walk up to her with a small smile and say, "Hello."

Abi looks up at me and smiles. "Hey. I thought you'd be gone already."

"I should say the same about you," I say as I start to feel more comfortable with her. I look at the pile of dishes she's finished already and gently say, "Let me help you."

"No. It's okay. If you have to go, it's okay. I don't want to bother you. Plus. Your mother needs you."

I give her a soft chuckle. "I want to help you. You look tired and I want you to finish quickly. Plus. My mother has Carol."

"Carol? From the facility?" she says without looking up from the sink.

"Mhm."

"Oh okay. Then she will be okay."

We fall silent again and it feels as if we are on square one. I quietly dry the dishes she's finished, but I try to read her expression from the corner of my eyes. I wish I could read her eyes so easily like I used to. All I see is exhaustion.

I clear my throat and carefully say, "So...how have you been? I haven't seen you in a while. I....I miss you."

Abi looks up at me with those tired eyes. "I miss you, too. I've just been so busy. So....many things on my mind, you know?"

"Is everything okay? Can I help in anything?" I say this when I notice a shine of fear run through her light brown eyes.

She quickly hides that shine and shakes her head. "I'm fine. You....I..." Then her eyes look at something behind my shoulder. From the corner of my eyes, I can see Cam stop in his steps from afar. His eyes grow wide when he sees us and he quickly runs back to the path he came from. I hear a crashing sound and a waiter say, "Dude! Are you alright? What where you're going?!"