5.2-Tips

Lola

I tuck the money away. Shocked, that cookie made her day and mine. After proudly scrubbing the table, I head for more orders. I see Tobias by the window. He looks nervous about something pacing back and forth, fiddling with his glasses.

“Hey there, Lola. Can we talk in my office,” Tobias asks, looking troubled.

“Sure. Let me drop these off first, and I’ll be right there,” I reply evenly, balancing my plates.

Tobias is a great boss. He never gives me crap about being late; I hope this isn’t about my tardiness. After setting out my orders, I walk to the manager’s area, a little worried. Stepping into his office meekly, he asks me to close the door.

“Please have a seat Lola,” he motions to the black chair across his desk.

“Am I in trouble?” I sit, feeling nervous, while Tobias takes on a solemn expression.

“No, but I got a complaint recently, and we need to address it,” Tobias says, sounding disappointed, and my jaw drops in shock.

My mind is racing, and my palms start sweating from what this could be about. I rub my hands on my apron slowly, and Tobias sees my trepidation. I’m shocked and unable to ask him questions as I stammer.

“Let me clarify. It wasn’t necessarily about your performance but more an incident,” Tobias says, and I close my mouth.

“I’m sorry, I’m a little confused,” shaking my head, feeling put on the spot.

“I’ll try to explain,” Tobias says, clearing his throat and looking away. “It’s about your boyfriend’s inappropriate behavior towards you. More specifically, his crude petting,” he finishes sounding glum.

I swallow down the lump, trying to gather myself. My heart pounds its way into my throat, and a whimper escapes as I find it hard to breathe, panic taking over. Feeling self-conscious, I shift in my seat, staring at Tobias.

“I’m so sorry, Tobias. I tell him not to do that. Especially when I’m here at work,” I stutter incoherently.

“Lola, please take a deep breath,” Tobias instructs sweetly and demonstrates.

I focus on the floor, taking alternating inhales through my mouth and nose. When I’m calmer, I peek up at Tobias and see he doesn’t want to be doing this any more than I want to hear it. I sit up, look at the papers on his desk, and prepare myself to listen to the rest.

“Lola, in my place of business. I would prefer not to see or hear about him doing those things again,” Tobias says but isn’t being specific.

I don’t need him to be. I know precisely what Nathan did. I don’t need to know how he saw it. I wouldn’t want to relive it, nor do I need Tobias reciting the actions for me. I already feel violated enough.

“I apologize again, sir,” I whisper, straightening my dress.

“You’re a great server Lola; folks always ask for your section. But I can’t have your boyfriend being obscene in my family restaurant,” he says professionally.

“I understand if you’re firing me, sir,” saying it before he could.

Tobias sighs loudly, shaking his head. That look of disappointment I know too well. I see it in Nathan, which sends a chill down my spine.

“No, Lola, nothing like that, only a warning. I will ban him if I catch it myself,” he assures me with a nod.

I’m relieved, expelling a breath I didn’t know I was holding. I intake fresh air and feel my ears ringing from the shock of not being fired. I still have my job for now. I hope I  can keep it.

“I understand, and I’m sorry, Tobias. It won’t happen again,” I promise, still bowing my head.

“I hope not, Lola,” Tobias smiles softly. “Why don’t you take a break? I’ll cover your tables.”

I smile tightly at his offer and nod, unable to speak. This lecture about Nathan’s behavior was no surprise, but it wasn’t pleasant. I leave his office, ashamed we even had to have that conversation, biting back my tears.

I run to the bathroom, feeling the checkered walls closing in as my pulse races. I splash cold water on my face, a few handfuls at a time. Spreading it around my neck dampens my collar, but I don’t care. The shocking cold helps snap me back into focus. I stare blankly at the reflection to center myself. When that doesn’t work, I close my eyes and calm my nerves enough to return to work.

Tobias says I’m not fired, but my anxiety got the better of me. As the day passes, I shake off the encounter feeling it was the best thing Tobias could’ve done. I shudder to think what Nathan would’ve said if confronted. It wouldn’t be the first time he got thrown out of a restaurant.

Though today was tiring, both physically and mentally, I survived. I’m finally ready to clock out and head home. I grab some dinner to-go and wait for Nathan at the breakfast bar.

With headphones in my ears, listening to music, I look up recipes online to try when I feel like cooking. Dangling my feet over the stool, I feel like a kid sucking on a milkshake. A few of my co-workers wave goodbye as they leave, making me smile.

I get lost in my deep dive of food when seven-thirty eventually rolls around. I’m reading up on a pie recipe when I finally get a message.

Nathan - Hey, babe, my truck broke down again.

Me - Well, that sucks. I’m sorry.

Nathan - I’m sorry too. I’ll be over later if it’s not too late.

He even wires me some money for a ride, making me smile at his thoughtfulness. But heading home is an annoying fiasco. Mia had already left, and I missed the bus having to call a ride service. It costs more than Nathan sent, making it a good thing I got an excellent cash tip.

When I arrive at my apartment, I strip out of my uniform in the bathroom and start the water. The warm stream comforts me, washing away the grime of the day. The pleasant aroma of my strawberry body scrub overpowers the stank of working hard, making my skin immaculate.

Once clean, I feel rejuvenated, allowing the heat to consume me. Upon opening my eyes, I witness the steam changing my shower curtain from a dirty duck to a clean one. I giggle like a little girl seeing it in action.

I got this cute novelty item recently for a few reasons. One, because I needed a new one. Two, the gimmick made me smile. And three, Nathan hated it.

Of course, he did. But I didn’t care, only hanging it up with pride. It makes me happy, and that is all that matters. After a long hot soak, I write my thoughts, having much to say to my journal, starting with the good.

I got an excellent tip from a sexy businesswoman today. She also left me with a smile I wore all day because of it. Sadly it went to waste almost immediately when Nathan couldn’t pick me up from work.

All the same, I didn’t want to see him after my talk with Tobias. That lecture was uncomfortable, and hopefully, Nathan doesn’t get too upset when I bring it up. The last thing I need is more bruises if and when he flies off the handle.

After tucking everything away, I dress in a comfy oversized shirt with cute undies and settle on my worn couch. I eat my sinfully delicious Beef Stroganoff watching TV for once. It’s eight-thirty, and Nathan should be here soon, or so he said.

I eventually get bored with the program and turn it off. I grab my new smutty novel instead and flip to my bookmark. Picking up where I left off, the protagonist has just met a mysterious man, but she hesitates. Questioning her current situation with her cheating husband, she takes the plunge and kisses the handsome new stranger.

Just as it gets spicy, the words start to blur. I blink a few times, and suddenly it’s one o’clock. I stretch out my arms, and the book falls to the floor with a thud. I pick it up, replace the bookmark, and store it on the bookshelf.

Reaching out, my wrist is sore from sleeping with my brace. The stiff couch also hurt my neck, making me groan in discomfort. Rubbing out the knot, I wash up, brush my hair and teeth then head to my room.

Nathan doesn’t have a key, so if he showed up, I didn’t hear him knock. I yawn, picking up my phone off the nightstand. I rub my tired eyes, counting six missed calls and a few messages from Nathan.

9:32 - Triple-A took forever. Still, want me over?

9:57 - Babe, answer your damn phone.

10:14 - I hope you’re not mad and just in bed.

After setting the alarm, I threw my phone back down. I’m not angry, just too tired to be upset, yawning again. I lazily crawl under the covers, sinking into the soft mattress. The empty coolness of the bed soon warms with my body heat comforting me like a cloud.

I nuzzle into my pillow, feeling my head heavy. I’m not looking forward to another morning shift. Five o’clock will come quickly, and I can’t miss the bus this time. I close my eyes drifting peacefully back to sleep.