Page 10 of Broken

When I reach Swirl and Grinds, I go to open the door but pause at the sign in the window.

‘Help Wanted, Inquire Within.’

Sin will kill me. Jericho will probably shit a brick. Am I really going to throw in the towel four hours after starting a new job? A bell tinkles as I walk inside, and the aroma of coffee makes me close my eyes for a moment. It’s busy given its lunch hour. The queue is long. One woman is serving, taking orders and trying to make drinks at the same time.

For a while I was a barista in college. I didn’t need the job, but I enjoyed the work. I’m not overly extroverted, but I like chatting with new people.

My career goals changed once I graduated and became a full-time architect, working my way up through the company I interned with. All the way to owning my own firm.

I shake those thoughts away. I’ve never been one to shy away from an opportunity. Instead of standing in line, I walk right up to the counter, where there is a hinged bar for staff to go through. A man is making food in the kitchen behind the counter.

I lean forward and catch the attention of the harried looking woman.

“I’m doing the best I can,” she says. “If you can wait in line.”

“I’m not here for a drink,” I reply. Well, I am but right now that doesn’t matter. “I’m here about the job. You could use the help.”

She turns her head while still making the drink and eyes me. Her hair is black and pulled back in a braid over her shoulder, she has funky purple glasses pushed up on top of her head.

“You have experience?”

“I worked in a coffee shop in college for two and a half years.”

“No offense, but you are a long way out of college.”

I’ll let that slide. She’s clearly stressed. Someone shouts at the back of the queue to hurry the hell up. Rude asshole.

“Look, how about I come back and help clear this, you can see for yourself whether I’m worthy. If not, no worries. But at least you can clear the line.”

She glances at the growing crowd of people and back at me, struggling to decide. Maybe she isn’t the manager or has no authority to agree, but more shouting makes up her mind.

“Aprons are back there. You know how to work the register?”

I glance at it. It’s a touch screen with the menu on a digital display. How hard could it be? I nod, as I lift up the counter, grab an apron and walk to the register.

“I’m Calli,” I tell her.

“Ruby, please don’t let this be your first impression of me, I’m about to lose my mind.”

“I got you,” I grin at her.

And I start serving customers, taking orders, ringing them up, and passing them off to Ruby to prepare. It takes a while, but we eventually get the line down to manageable. The angry guy makes a comment about getting decent people to work here. Ruby whirls like she is about to rip his head off, but I cut her off.

“Thank you for the observation. We’ll take that suggestion very seriously. Here’s your change.”

I dump it on the counter instead of into his outstretched hand. He mutters something under his breath as he scoops it up, and I smile sweetly rather than engage further. I’m pretty sure he wants to storm out of here, but he has to wait for the coffee Ruby is making.

After another ten minutes, the line is gone. While Ruby makes the last to go drink, I head out from behind the counter and clear tables. I bring everything back as Ruby slumps against the counter.

“Girl, you saved my ass.”

I glance behind her. Whoever is working back there never once stepped out to help.

“That’s Angelo, owners brother. He cooks food, he doesn’t speak to people,” she says it as if she is imitating him. “So, thank you again. You say you’re looking for a job?”

Well, I wasn’t really but, I’ve had more fun here in the last thirty minutes than I’d had all morning at the real estate office. I nod.

“You’ll have to fill out an application.”

---