Sorry for the late post here. I actually contemplated just waiting till tomorrow to get this post done. This weekend was busy for me as we did an Island Getaway theme and I was doing a lot of cooking and baking. Just finished now, so hopefully I can get this story out and make it sound good. Here we go with Chapter 6 of What Would You Do.
Chapter 6
Tessa glanced at her cell phone to see an update from her parents. Susie was responding well to treatment and they should be able to bring her home later that day. Sighing with relief, she typed a quick reply before tossing her phone in her bag and closing her locker. Fighting back a yawn, she clocked in and headed to the front of the diner to get ready for the breakfast crowd. After her parents had left she had been unable to fall back asleep.
“Good morning Tessa? Late night?” Looking up she saw her boss, Edgar, standing nearby, watching her. Managing a smile she shook her head.
“Nothing like that. Susie got really sick in the middle of the night and my parents had to rush her to the hospital. I couldn’t really sleep after that.” Concern filled his green eyes.
“Do you need to take a personal day?” Again, Tessa shook her head.
“I just heard from my mom. Susie is responding to the medication and they’ll be home later tonight. So, I might as well be here instead of sitting at home and feeling useless.” Edgar managed a smile, placing a hand on her shoulder.
“Alright. But if it gets too hard and you need to leave, let me know.”
What Would You Do
Edgar didn’t need to worry. The diner was busy as soon as they opened the doors and Tessa didn’t have a spare moment to think about Susie or how sick she was. The crowd today seemed to always be out of coffee and she spent most of the morning just trying to keep up with pouring coffee in between orders. Because of how busy things were, Edgar stuck around to help out. His manager, Daniel, was also busy rushing around. They were both pulling double duty – helping in the kitchen and up front. Edgar started another coffee, shaking his head as Tessa came back with an empty pot and grabbed a full one, disappearing back into the dining room.
“Still think I was exaggerating when I said we were understaffed?” Daniel paused near the owner on his way to the kitchen with a tub of dirty dishes. Edgar chuckled.
“No, I agree. We could use some more help. I’ll put an advertisement online and a poster in the window after the rush.”
Chapter 6
Tessa collapsed on a bar stool, brushing some of her hair out of her face. It had been in a braid, but some had come loose as she had bustled about the diner. Meredith, the waitress supervisor, joined her.
“I think it’s gotten busier since you started, young lady. What did you do? Tell the world to come eat here?” Tessa laughed, accepting the glass of water that Edgar poured for her.
“I swear, it’s not me.” Daniel came to join them, looking just as exhausted as Tessa felt.
“Well, whatever it is, we will take it. I had someone tell me we should expand and make our dining area bigger. What do you think, Edgar?” The owner laughed, handing Daniel a glass of water.
“After what I saw today, I might consider it. For now, I’ll settle with a few more staff. Let me put out that advertisement. Can you put the sign in the window?” Daniel nodded as he chugged his water. Tessa frowned. She wished she could put in more hours, but as soon as summer was over, she would have to go back to part time. Daniel saw the look on her face.
“Don’t worry Tessa. We just need more people. We will still give you as many hours as we can. I know you’re trying to help out your family with bills. Besides, anyone who would replace you would have to work as hard as five of you.” Meredith nodded her head in agreement, checking her phone.
“Madison just said she can’t come in today.” Daniel frowned.
“That’s the third shift this week.”
“The tenth this month.” Edgar, who had paused at the office door, turned to Meredith.
“That’s too many absences. I’ll call her and tell her she no longer has a job here. Guess I’ll need an extra waitress.”
What Would You Do
It was around one in the afternoon when Adrian walked in. Tessa saw him and gave him a friendly smile, though she secretly hoped that he would go to Sheryl’s section. There were a lot more open tables. Adrian selected a booth in her section. Fighting back a sigh, Tessa headed over to his table.
“Good afternoon. Can I get you started with anything to drink?” He looked up at her, his green eyes burrowing into her blue.
“Coffee would be great. Oh, and I will be joined by a business associate, so can I hold off on ordering for now?” Tessa nodded.
“Of course. For now, I’ll get you that coffee.” Tessa headed back to the counter and grabbed a coffee mug. Meredith looked up from stocking up a straw dispenser.
“Are you good, hun? Your area seems to be packed.” Tessa poured the coffee.
“I’m alright, though I wish people would start sitting in Sheryl’s section. She’s just standing around.” Meredith looked over and saw the woman blowing a bubble with her bubble gum. Sheryl was in her late forties, but acted like she was a teenager, and had the attitude to match. She was older than Meredith, and therefore she believed that she didn’t have to listen to her. Unless Daniel or Edgar was around. Today though, she seemed to not care. Edgar joined the two waitresses.
“I’ve also noticed that she isn’t doing any work. Do you want her help in your section, Tessa?” He saw the alarmed look on the teen’s face and chuckled. “So her customer service needs some work too. Perhaps I should spend more time here and see just how hard my employees actually work.” Meredith grinned.
“Suits me just fine. Unless you’re comparing us all to Tessa.” The group chuckled and Tessa took the coffee out to Adrian, noting that a younger man had joined him.
Chapter 6
They looked similar, like they could be father and son. The younger man looked up at her, his hazel eyes taking her in before smiling. Tessa forced a smile on her own face.
“Can I get you anything to drink?” He looked down at the menu for a moment.
“I will take the iced tea please.” She nodded.
“Excellent choice. And do we still need a few moments with the menus?” Both nodded and she left to check on another table. After a few moments, and helping a few other tables, Tessa returned to their table with the iced tea. “Sorry about the wait. Have you both decided what you would like?” Adrian handed her both menus.
“We will take the club house combo. I’ll have mine with a side salad and he will take fries with his order.” Tessa jotted down the order, took the menus and left to hand the order to the kitchen staff. Five minutes later she returned with their order, placing a bottle of ketchup next to the younger man, followed by a bottle of vinegar. He smiled appreciatively.
“Thank you. This looks great.” Tessa smiled.
“Enjoy your meal, gentlemen.”
What Would You Do
Tessa bustled about the diner, cleaning off tables, serving customers, and trying to help Meredith keep everything stocked up. Edgar had sent Sheryl home and had taken over her section. It had started to fill up after that. The owner had spoken to a few customers and found out some interesting things about Sheryl that made him question if he still wanted her as an employee. He did note that many patrons had only positive things to say about Tessa and another waitress, Bethany. The hardest working waitresses, many had said. He knew Meredith worked just as hard, but because she was mainly at the counter due to a knee injury, they didn’t get to see that part of her.
The other thing that Edgar noticed was the two men who had come in and sat in Tessa’s section. They continued to fill up on drinks, and at first he just assumed they were in a meeting of sorts. They both appeared to be dresses like businessmen. However, as he continued to observe them, he noticed that they spent a lot of time watching Tessa. Edgar had been a father, up until three years ago. His daughter, Violet, had been eight years old and playing at a friend’s house a few doors down. She had called to ask if she could stay for dinner, but because the family was going to visit his parents, he had asked her to come home. She never made it. Two weeks later police had called him in to identify her body.
Glancing at the clock, Edgar noted that the men had been there for two hours now. He approached Tessa and asked her about the men. She didn’t glance over, feeling their eyes on her.
“They haven’t done or said anything that would cause me to worry. And Meredith says that the older man, Adrian, is a regular.” Edgar nodded and let her go back to work. But he still kept an eye on the two men. Something about the way they watched Tessa as she worked did not sit well with him.
That’s it – For Now
Oh oh. Who is Adrian, really? And what about this new guy? What’s their interest in Tessa? I guess you’ll have to wait till next time to find out. Again, sorry for the late post for Chapter 6. I’m off to bed, but I’ll see you all on Monday. Have a great weekend.
