Page 78 of The Fire Walker
Jessie
Four hours wasn’ta lot of time in the grand scheme of things, but it felt like forever. I was kept busy with customers, chatting with some of the regulars who asked where I’d been and if I’d enjoyed my time in LA. Thinking back over everything, it seemed like years had passed since I arrived there with Georgie. Poor Georgie, who was probably humiliating my replacement rightnow.
It felt strange not having to go into the office or have my cell phone ring every five seconds with another ludicrous order from Queen Bee herself, and I did feel a little sad at the fact I wasn’t in a position at Galaxy anymore, but I would give it all up again in a heartbeat. Dee was worth it ten times over. Happiness never cameeasy.
“He’s a dreamboat.” Ana winked at me as she brushed past with a customer’sorder.
Smiling, I called out, “Handsoff.”
“How’d it go down with Galaxy?” she asked on her way back. Ana and I had this thing where she listened to my bitching about Georgie and Galaxy, and I would listen to her bitch about her auditions. She was trying to get a permanent gig in a Broadway show and was always telling the most outrageous stories about the crazies who turned up to every open call that was advertised in the Voice. She had a head of bright red hair and an overpowering personality, but that girl knew how tolisten.
When Zoe had come to see me last week, I’d practically run off to plead with Georgie to give me the time off. I never made it back to the cafe to fill the guysin.
“No dice,” Isaid.
“What, they firedyou?”
“No, Iquit.”
“Jessie,” she shrieked. “Why are you only telling me thisnow?”
I laughed. “I’m too smitten tocare.”
“Don’t tell me I’m going to have to put up with your lovey-dovey bull formonths.”
“Consider this yourwarning.”
She feigned annoyance. “Oh,man.”
“Any auditions while I wasgone?”
“No.” She rolled her eyes. “Not even a commercial. There’s absolutely nothing worthwhile on atall.”
“There’ll besomething.”
“Yeah, when I go break the legs of the lead in Wicked.” She gave me a wink and disappeared outback.
With a smile, I turned back to clear off one of my tables that had just been vacated. Scanning the cafe as I collected the empties, I was relieved to be home after the roller coaster of the last couple of days. This place had become like a second home. I’d been welcomed like a friend the moment I started my first shift four years ago and had never felt out of place. Everyone here had their quirks. Ana with her Broadway ambitions, Ed with his penchant for crisp linen, Des with his thing for making abstract images in the foam of lattes, and me with my crazy workaholic lifestyle. We all kind of belongedtogether.
“You need a hand, Jessie?” Ed asked as I balanced my way behind thecounter.
“No, I’m okay.” Dumping the glasses in the sink, I dunked my hands in and began cleaningthem.
“He seems like a really niceguy.”
“Who,Dee?”
“Yeah.”
I gave my boss a bright smile. “Thanks.”
“So you quitGalaxy?”
“You heard that?” Iasked.
“You can’t not hear Ana,bella.” Ed winked, leaning against the counter. “What are you going to do with all your freetime?”
“I’m not sure yet,” I said truthfully. “My ambitions haven’t changed. I would still like to do something withmusic.”
