I Googled common drinks and recipes until my eyeballs feel drunk, but there’s no way to know what will happen until I actually try.
After pulling my apron over my head, I tie it around my waist. Mina is already behind the bar getting everything ready. I study her for a moment. She moves with the kind of grace I’m jealous of, and can only hope to replicate tonight. She’s been so welcoming. I hope she still is if I spaz out tonight. Both she and Brenna trained me well, and we’ve all already exchanged cell numbers. Brenna texted me earlier to tell me she knew I was going to do well. I feel very welcome here, but I hope I don’t disappoint anyone.
With my tattoos, piercings, and tendency to blurt out what I’m thinking, I know I’m not your average, everyday barista, but I’m a hard worker, and I’m determined to prove it.
“SC!” Mina flags me down, a smile on her pretty features. She’s the kind of beautiful that could almost make me feel insecure, if I weren’t confident in myself. Worse, she’s the kind of beautiful person who isn’t even the least bit arrogant about it. She’s self-possessed and witty, and I think I’m a bit in awe of her.
Crossing the room, I wave at her in greeting. She’s filling the case with cakes, pies, and cookies, so I do what I can. I fumble around awkwardly before I finally manage to fill the biscotti container.
“You doing okay?”
“I’m nervous.” I roll my neck back and forth hoping to relieve some of the tension, but I’m not sure it actually helps. “I’ve waitressed but never actually made anything.”
Mina leans against the bar. It’s early, so no one is ordering anything yet, and we have a few moments to ourselves. She locks her blue-sky-day eyes on me, and when I don’t see anything but kindness there, it’s enough to help my next breath come a bit easier.
“My first gig was a disaster,” she says. “I was bartending in Virginia, and I had no idea what I was doing.
“I know you’re just trying to make me feel better…”
“I dropped an entire bottle of Grey Goose.” She frowns. I cringe. “Yeah, it was just as bad as you’re thinking. I didn’t get fired, but only because they seriously needed someone.” She giggles. “That was a few years and a few towns ago. Point is, everyone is nervous at a new job, especially a fast-paced one like this.”
“Thanks, Mina.” I give her a real smile, not the thin ones I’ve been hiding behind lately. “I really appreciate it. I’m still thrown from moving back here, and I think my confidence in well, everything, is kinda shaken.”
She hooks her blond hair behind her ears and holds out her fist for a bump. “No worries, SC. You’re gonna be great.” I fist-bump with her, hoping she’s right.
Mina takes inventory of the supplies while I finish stocking the cups and glasses. It’s weird, being on this side of a bar, even if we only serve coffee. The last and only time this happened, it was after closing and I was kissing a bartender. Somehow, I doubt tonight will end the same way.
I don’t have time to wonder about what tonight holds for long though, because the crowd arrives. The volume in the room goes up with the amount of people, some who arrive solo, and others in small groups. I stand with Mina and watch, and for a moment it’s all I can do not to gawk.
If I thought I’d left diverse folks behind in Nash, I was wrong. There’s a guy in black eyeliner talking to the DJ, and two girls who are obviously together. I see several college-type preppy guys, and a group of businesswomen in pearls and chignons. A throng of teen girls has claimed one table, while teen guys are holding court at another. Then there’s the group of friends putting two tables together while they write down their songs, a few families, and two older couples. They’re all as different as night and day but here they are, in a coffee shop, brought together by karaoke of all things.
Blinking, I grin. I think
After pulling my apron over my head, I tie it around my waist. Mina is already behind the bar getting everything ready. I study her for a moment. She moves with the kind of grace I’m jealous of, and can only hope to replicate tonight. She’s been so welcoming. I hope she still is if I spaz out tonight. Both she and Brenna trained me well, and we’ve all already exchanged cell numbers. Brenna texted me earlier to tell me she knew I was going to do well. I feel very welcome here, but I hope I don’t disappoint anyone.
With my tattoos, piercings, and tendency to blurt out what I’m thinking, I know I’m not your average, everyday barista, but I’m a hard worker, and I’m determined to prove it.
“SC!” Mina flags me down, a smile on her pretty features. She’s the kind of beautiful that could almost make me feel insecure, if I weren’t confident in myself. Worse, she’s the kind of beautiful person who isn’t even the least bit arrogant about it. She’s self-possessed and witty, and I think I’m a bit in awe of her.
Crossing the room, I wave at her in greeting. She’s filling the case with cakes, pies, and cookies, so I do what I can. I fumble around awkwardly before I finally manage to fill the biscotti container.
“You doing okay?”
“I’m nervous.” I roll my neck back and forth hoping to relieve some of the tension, but I’m not sure it actually helps. “I’ve waitressed but never actually made anything.”
Mina leans against the bar. It’s early, so no one is ordering anything yet, and we have a few moments to ourselves. She locks her blue-sky-day eyes on me, and when I don’t see anything but kindness there, it’s enough to help my next breath come a bit easier.
“My first gig was a disaster,” she says. “I was bartending in Virginia, and I had no idea what I was doing.
“I know you’re just trying to make me feel better…”
“I dropped an entire bottle of Grey Goose.” She frowns. I cringe. “Yeah, it was just as bad as you’re thinking. I didn’t get fired, but only because they seriously needed someone.” She giggles. “That was a few years and a few towns ago. Point is, everyone is nervous at a new job, especially a fast-paced one like this.”
“Thanks, Mina.” I give her a real smile, not the thin ones I’ve been hiding behind lately. “I really appreciate it. I’m still thrown from moving back here, and I think my confidence in well, everything, is kinda shaken.”
She hooks her blond hair behind her ears and holds out her fist for a bump. “No worries, SC. You’re gonna be great.” I fist-bump with her, hoping she’s right.
Mina takes inventory of the supplies while I finish stocking the cups and glasses. It’s weird, being on this side of a bar, even if we only serve coffee. The last and only time this happened, it was after closing and I was kissing a bartender. Somehow, I doubt tonight will end the same way.
I don’t have time to wonder about what tonight holds for long though, because the crowd arrives. The volume in the room goes up with the amount of people, some who arrive solo, and others in small groups. I stand with Mina and watch, and for a moment it’s all I can do not to gawk.
If I thought I’d left diverse folks behind in Nash, I was wrong. There’s a guy in black eyeliner talking to the DJ, and two girls who are obviously together. I see several college-type preppy guys, and a group of businesswomen in pearls and chignons. A throng of teen girls has claimed one table, while teen guys are holding court at another. Then there’s the group of friends putting two tables together while they write down their songs, a few families, and two older couples. They’re all as different as night and day but here they are, in a coffee shop, brought together by karaoke of all things.
Blinking, I grin. I think
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