I was so shocked that I sat down there unmoving wondering how long this somber attitude would last. It didn’t take long for her to return to her bitter self.
“It’s just sad that this great hair is lost on you. You don’t deserve it. You ungrateful piece of nothing.”
I still feel a pang in my heart every time I think about that night. I really don’t know why she hated me that much. Even on her worse days, I could never be as pretty as she is. I just knew I couldn’t be around her anymore. I had to leave. Though I was scared out of my mind about being on my own without my father. I knew I had to.
My stomach grumbled again to remind me of my empty belly. I round the kitchen counter and began opening cabinets and refrigerator to remove ingredients to make a sandwich. I start to hum to myself while I let myself think of some recipes I have been longing to try. I can't wait to get back to experimenting with new delicacies. Cooking is my favorite thing to do. Pity I have no one to share them with. I finish making my sandwich and take it to the living room. I stare outside through the window and sigh peacefully. This is a quiet residential neighborhood. I could see people returning from work. A young couple catch my attention. I had seen them go into their building just a couple of blocks away from mine. Only to come out later with matching running shorts. Obviously getting ready for their evening run. Evident on their faces is love and excitement. I want that. That feeling of oneness with someone. Where we both love each other and mutually choose to be with just each other. Unlike this latest trend of undefined or open relationships, I want the real thing. A simple monogamous relationship that will lead to marriage and kids and white picket fence. Maybe I was getting in over my head, but I know what I want. And there is not going to be a compromise. I haven't held out for this long to settle for the next best thing even if I am very lonely. And being here in this big city with no family and friends just makes it harder for me. I just hope I can at least gather the courage to make friends here. Living here alone without anyone is as depressing as it sounds. But something tells me that it won't be long before I find my soul mate and love of my life. Who knows? We might even meet at the bar one and that will mark the beginning of our epic love story. I sighed wistfully while I polished off the rest of my sandwich and went in to take a quick shower.
Within a few minutes, I am dressed in a jacket with a simple white shirt and jeans. Rick had mentioned that we would wear a uniform, so I am going to have to change anyway. I saw the uniform when Rick interviewed me at the bar. It was a small red top with black shorts. Something I never may have agreed to if I had not been so desperate. But at least I have a job. That was a start. I would take whatever I get here and try to save up enough to pay off part of my student loan while still making my rent. It is a minimum wage plus I get to keep my tips at the end of each night. It would be a miracle if I could still make my rent and pay my bills at the end of each month, though. From what I had seen of Whiskey Peak, the bar I would be working, it seems cool enough. And it attracted all kinds of crowds, young folks, and old folks. I just have to make sure I got along with the right people. I slapped on mascara and put some light lip-gloss. We want to be worthy of a second look on the first day now, don't we? After a brief debate on whether to leave my hair or put in a bun, the latter won as I thought about the efficiency and all. It was just neater to have it in a bun. I take another quick look at my face in the bathroom mirror, satisfied with what I saw, I give a wink of approval.
Now is the time to go.
I walk back into the living room, checked if anything was out of place. I hate it when things are not organized. I go into the kitchen and quickly tidied up what I used to make my sandwich earlier. After all that, I checked my watch again and it was 4:30. The bus leaves at 4.35. I had better get to the bus station if I want to catch it. I grab my purse, check its contents to be sure I’m not forgetting anything important. I open the door and step out into another empty hallway. Where are these people? I wonder. I press the bell for the elevator and stepped in. The bus arrived late but I still made it. It was fifteen minutes from my place so I knew I would be able to make my shift in time. The bus dropped me off at about five minutes before time. I walk to the bar down the block and when I got in front entrance, I hesitate and take in a deep breath to acknowledge how my life is about to change. I grab the doorknob, pulled it open and entered the bar.
Chapter 2
As I stepped into the bar, it took about a minute for my eyes to adjust to the dark lighting in the room. The whole bar feels like I have taken a step into a western movie. The décor was unashamedly meant to be ugly in an interesting way. Nothing fancy. There were tables and chairs scattered around in the wide space of the room. I could hear music coming from an old cranky jukebox and I also spotted a state-of-the-art karaoke machine in the corner. Guess, some people must really like karaoke for Ricky to have splurged on the machine. I feel so out place. I took a minute to take in the sight of where I would be working for the foreseeable future. Directly in front of the door is the bar. Two male bartenders stood behind the counter wiping glasses while the few early drinking customers sat on the bar stools across from them.
The clock on the wall told me it was already ten minutes past five. I had better report to Rick, so I can begin my shift. I made my way through the chairs, managing to draw as little attention as I could. Rick's office was on the left side of the bar. I walk briskly to the door and even though my head was bent I couldn't help but notice the piercing gaze of a blond bombshell who stared at me from the other side of the counter where she was talking to one of the bartenders. She looked like she should be in magazines or something. She was dressed in the bartender's uniform of a red top which she tied at her small waist and a skin-tight short. Well, thank God there were pretty girls at this bar, I just hope it would make up for my being plain. Maybe I would luck out and just be left alone. It is just weird that she keeps staring like I am an alien who just dropped out of a UFO.
I ignore her until I get to the office entrance. The door is slightly ajar, so I just give a little knock before entering.
"Hi, Rick," I say when I saw Rick with his neck hunched in front of his computer screen. He looked up with a smile when he heard my voice.
"Well, if it isn't my favorite redhead!" He greets and he looks at his watch. "a few minutes past five. Not bad. I'm liking you already, red."
I really don't know why he insisted on calling me red but hey, he gave me a job even when I don't have any experience, so he could call me whatever he wanted. It's all fine with me.
“So, you settled in already?”
“Yeah. I drove down this morning and I even managed to unpack and put some order in the place before coming down here.” I quickly add, “and thanks for connecting me with that agent. I got most of the stuff already in the house for cheap. I really appreciate it”
He waved my thanks away with his hand as he came around the table. His whole 6 feet and 7 inches encompassing the whole room. Even though he looked larger than life, Rick had this air of safety around him. His size never intimidated me like most huge people when I meet them for the first time. I know I am genuinely in safe hands.
“Don’t worry about it, Kid. It’s the least I could do. Give it time. You will learn to fall in love with Boston just like I have.”
“Hopefully. I do like the weather though.” I say with a twinkle in my eyes. We both know the Boston weather is terrible. Rick laughs but his loyalty for his city still lets him say.
“Then wait till its spring. You will love it.” He rubs his hands together and wink at me. “So, how about you meet the rest of the gang. Almost everyone is here tonight.”
He walked out of the office swiftly, his long legs quite faster than I could keep up with.
In seconds he was already at the bar and I quickly walk over to stand beside him.
"So, Jane, this Martin, and Chris." Rick pointed at the guys at the bar before a customer called for his attention. Chris, blonde hair and a killer s
mile. Well-toned body. This one knew how to charm a woman. Martin, long dark hair, green eyes with a lean boxer bod. He, on the other hand, had that brooding artist look about him that girls found appealing. They made a great pair. Almost as if Rick did it intentionally so every customer could choose which of the two contrasting personalities they would prefer to hang with. Chris nodded and flashed a quick smile at me as he grabbed bottles from the bar behind him. While Martin just managed to raise his head and spared me a glance from the top of the drink he was mixing, stared for some seconds before mouthing a friendly “hi”. They were both busy as customers were starting to fill in the bar. A couple of girls are presently taking turns flirting with the guys. They are probably my age, but they look like they are used to having fun. Obviously celebrating something today, I think. Maybe one of them got a promotion as they are still dressed in their office clothes.
When Rick finished talking to the customer and returns to me to continue the introductions. “So, Martin and Chris handle the bar. You would have to get your drinks here. Don’t worry, they would show you the ropes as you go. I know you have no real experience in this so just take your time and ease in, okay? It's not that hard and you look like you have got a smart head on your shoulders so this shouldn't be so difficult, yeah?" He turned to the guys. "She will be working with you guys as a bartender but for now she will be waiting tables. Just make her feel welcome, okay?"
"Sure thing, boss," Chris said with a wink in my direction.
"We've got you," Martin adds with a nod as he tried for what seemed to pass a smile.
“Good.” Rick knocks on the bar counter rapidly and nod before he turns me in the direction of the door adjoining the bar on the right side.
“Coming in!” He announces but made sure he paused till he heard a small voice beckon on him to proceed. He pushes the door open to reveal a roomy dressing area with lockers. Inside this changing room are three ladies all with striking features. Rick introduces them one after the other.
The first is Jennifer, the bombshell by the bar earlier. Although she preferred to be called Jenny. She is slim, blonde hair and brown eyes. Her tattoos are kinda artistic, and she has a lot of them. I can see what seems to be a dragon tattoo drawn all over her arms. The early twenties, I think. And she looked at me as if she was trying to find out all my terrible secrets just by staring at me. It made me feel super uncomfortable.
“So, Jenny. This is Jane. She will be joining you guys on the floor today as our new waitress.”
“Thank God, Rick. You took your sweet time filling that position.” Jenny says with a slow smile while she popped the gum in her mouth and then wink at me. “Great to have you here, Jane-y”
“It’s just Jane.” I retorted hating the tone she used to call my name. “Not Jane-y” I added that because I don’t want her to think that I was trying to seem all uptight.
Rick just laughs at the exchange between us before he directs me to another lady whose back is turned to us. She was applying a mascara when Rick called, before she finally faced us. Slim, blonde and brown eyes. She was even prettier up close.
“Sam, this is Jane. The new girl. So, you be nice to her okay.”
"I am always nice, Rick," Sam says sardonically as she gives a short laugh that lightened up her face but was gone before we could even blink. Now that I am up close, I see a resemblance between her and Jenny. Maybe they were sisters. Or cousins. They even had similar dragon tattoos on her arms.
“Nice to meet you, Sam.”
“I’m sure it is.” She dismisses me and faced her boss. “Rick? Jenny and I are going to have to leave early today. We have that family thing I told you about earlier?”
“Oh, that’s tonight?”
“Yes.”
“Yeah, sure. We will manage tonight.”
“Thanks, Rick.”
Rick then takes me to the last lady in the room. She is apparently running late as she fumbled with her hair.
“Hi, Rick. I promise I was just ten minutes late. It won’t happen again, I promise.” She begged dramatically even I feel like laughing at the cute puppy eyes she is flashing at Rick.
Rick sighed. “We will talk about this later, Becky. This is Jane. She is new here. Could you show her the ropes today?”
“Sure thing. I’ve got it.” Becky responds. “Thank you.”
“We will still have to have that talk, Becky.”
“Yes, boss!”
Rick just shakes his head in exasperation. I guess they both knew she was forgiven and that they would never have that talk. Well, it looks like Rick is a great boss. Thank God for that.
“Hi, Jane. Welcome to Whiskey Peak.” She says with a smile after she finally secured her hair in a bun like mine.
“Thanks, Becky.”
“First time in Boston?”
“Yes. First time out on my own.” I don’t know why Becky was so easy to like and talk to. I just know that we will make very good friends.
“Oh, you are in safe hands. Rick is the best. I’ve been here for just four months but trust me, I’ve had crazy bosses and Rick is a kind one. A great way to start your job experience.”
“Is this a good time to mention that I don’t have a lot of experience bartending also?”
Becky smiles cheekily. "I didn't know a lot about it too when I got here. I used to work in a small pharmacy, but the drugstore had to shut down a few months ago due to low sales. I'm so grateful Rick took a chance on me even when I had no experience bartending. You just have to learn fast and work hard."
“Yeah, sure. I can definitely do that.”
"Wait, there is something else isn't it? What are you worried about, Jane?" I must give credit to Becky. She is very intuitive. I still have some reservations.
“I am not much of a people person. I prefer being alone with my books and stuff.”
"Don't tell me an introvert is about to start a job as a bartender in Boston? What are you doing here?" It may have sounded like a mockery if I had not seen the harmless sweet smile on her face.
“I know. Just stepping into this place and I already feel uncomfortable. I just needed to get out of a situation and this was the first job I could find. I dropped out of college but couldn’t get out of student loans. My debts are outrageous.”
"Ouch. I understand exactly how you feel. I'm still paying off a mine too. Even I never thought I could handle it too. I'm not much of an outdoorsy person. It has always been me and my brother since my parents died when we were six. We have had to take care of each other while we went from foster home to foster home. I just learned to get along well with people to survive and you are going to have to learn to. This is just a job. Remember that and you will be fine. Just put in your hours. Make excellent tips and you can go home to curl up to a good book on your sofa or whatever makes you happy. I am helplessly hooked to those dumb reality tv shows." She finally closed her locker and opened the next one beside hers.
“So here is yours. We change here and take breaks.” Becky said with a wink. She brought out a pair of uniform and handed it to me. “They are all the same size but I’m sure you will not have any problem. You look like you could pass for a Victoria secret model.”
I really did not know what to say to that. I’m sure she was just trying to be nice to the new girl. I know I don’t look anything like a model, but I had other issues to think about than correcting that notion. I took it from her and swiftly rushed to change while Becky adjusted her mascara with a compact mirror.
"Just so you know. It's not so crazy here unlike other bars in town. Rick runs a tight ship. Most folks here are regulars but of course, we do get some crazy randos from time to time but nothing we can't handle." She wiggled her brows. "I have made it known around the bar that I hold a black belt in Karate."
“Waittttt?? Is that true though?”
“Of course not.” She retorted with a laugh. “But they don’t know that. The rep has spread, and they know better than to try any shit with me.”
/> We both burst out laughing. Becky is turning out to be a real sport.
"Are you ready? Let's hit the bar. Customers will be filling up. I have to show you to your tables." I made sure to adjust the shorts which were surprisingly even shorter than I thought. I hated wearing clothes this revealing but as Becky said, this is a paycheck I desperately need so I have to just live with this. At least for now.
“I’m ready. Let’s do it this.” I said trying to feign joy. Becky saw through this and just burst out in a bubbly laugh that I couldn’t help but join in.
“Don’t worry. You’ll get better at this.”
We walk out of the changing room back into the bar. Becky was right. It was now filled up with customers, mostly men, drinking and making small talks while soft rock music played from the jukebox. It was like a movie from a movie. One I never ever thought I could be part of. Suddenly, I feel like racing like a bolt of lightning out the door and forget this ever happened. But I manage to talk myself out of it in good time. I could spot Jenny and Sam carrying drinks to customers in trays while Martin and Chris moved efficiently behind the counter.
"So, that's where you will be handling." She pointed at some set of tables around the right side of the bar. I couldn't help noticing some parts of the tables are quite dark and, in a corner, not directly within the gaze of other people. But I chose not to mention this, I'm not going to be the whiny new girl. If these are the tables allocated to me, then I would do them without a single word of complaint.
Becky starts to talk about how to take orders for drinks. And how to spot if someone was just trying to rile me up by inventing an impossible drink. She also mentioned that it was usually easier to get tipped well by a drunk or tipsy customer. So, I should keep on recommending new drinks and topping their drinks. To my surprise, when Becky mentioned they could order come fries and rings on some particular days when the cook came in.
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