Chapter Four:

| Hollis |

The last several evenings at Ringo’s were really starting to wear on the Franchise staff’s nerves. With a multitude of Fall festivities right around the corner, not to mention the nearby strip mall advertising massive sales in almost all it’s stores, everybody and their mom began stopping in for a quick bite and a refreshing drink. When one wave of patrons left, another seemed to pack in. It was impossible to get caught up.

Hollis as always kept everyone from killing each other, employees and customers alike. Although her primary responsibility was tending to the constantly packed bar, she’d duck in and out of the kitchen to run her grateful wait staff’s hot food whenever she had a spare moment.

“Can you grab table fifteen’s mozzarella sticks and buffalo wings, Hollis? They’ve got a ceaser salad and personal pizza too.” Bubbly college student Morgana Dahl called over her shoulder as she watched the resident bar tender slip through the swinging door leading into the kitchen.

“Already on it!” She shouted, fighting through a crowd of servers to get to Morgana’s order. “S’cuse me, running food here.” With the agility of a cheetah, Hollis moved in to balance the tray on her shoulder in five seconds flat and re-entered the front of the house by bumping the door open with her hip.

“Thanks dude, you’re a life saver!” Morgana’s expression brightened from where she’d just taken another set of customer’s orders as Hollis quickly walked through her line of vision to serve table fifteen.

“Don’t mention it, gorgeous.” Hollis winked at the now flushed waitress before turning her attention to the giggling group of people anticipating their dinner. “Sorry about that long wait. You wouldn’t believe how busy we are.” Hollis apologized as she dished the piping hot fare on the table, and was waved off as a show of understanding.

“We get it, it’s 9 P.M on a Saturday night. It’s not like we’d get faster service elsewhere. Besides, the pizza is to die for!” A friendly Creole gentleman in his early forties smiled kindly at Hollis, and his company nodded in agreement. She grinned merrily, setting Parmesan cheese and chili pepper flakes in front of them briskly.

“Well, I won’t hold you up. Enjoy your meal!”

“Will do!”

********************

For the next two respective hours, Hollis toggled between taking care of drink orders, assisting Ringo’s servers, and even answering a few phone calls inquiring about wait times. One of them had been Dalton, the last call she took in fact.

“Ringo’s, my names Hollis. How can I help?” She whipped out her notepad and pen just in case, sighing in mock agitation when she heard her brother’s voice.

“Hey Holl!,” he’d chirped in a surprised tone. “Didn’t expect YOU to pick up. Nina and I are about thirty minutes out. How busy is it at Ringo’s?”

“Busy enough that I’m talking to you instead of bar tending. Seriously it’s a madhouse. Just like it’s been all week. You swinging by?” She’d laughed, turning to face the chaotic establishment. Even on the busiest days, Hollis loved working there.

He hesitated for a second, no doubt consulting with his long time girlfriend. “...We’ll probably just head home, then. I’ve got a steak that should be unthawed in the fridge. If we’re asleep by the time your shift ends, have a good night and stay out of trouble. Try not to die!” Dalton couldn’t resist giving his sister shit, laughing out the last sentence.

“Whatever. I'm hanging up, asshole.” Hollis tossed back cooly, slamming the old fashioned phone back on it’s receiver. Just then, the on duty manager poked his head around the corner with a raised eyebrow. While not the most intimidating person in the world, Hollis knew when Evan meant business, and this was one of those times. His normally upbeat demeanor had been replaced with an urgent, curt one.

Crap. He probably heard me. Hollis thought, only mildly worried.

“My brother,” she explained quickly. “He was calling to see if we were busy. I don’t call customers assholes, promise.” Trying to look innocent, she cocked her head and smiled sweetly.

“I don’t even want to know.” Evan Richardson shook his bald head, resting his gaze on the clipboard he held in his hands. “Glad I found you though. It’s dying down, and you’re at forty five hours for the week. I’ve gotta cut you loose.” He was sorry to do it, she was one of their best employees, but the owner would have his head for having to pay Hollis any overtime as it was.

Mentally ticking off all the unfinished tasks in her head, Hollis went to protest but Evan continued quickly before she got too far. He knew the pride she took in running the bar, and wanted to bring her comfort in knowing he’d be closing it down.

“Stop worrying, Bogard. I’ll take care of shutting down your station tonight. Jimmy’s back there now, so we’re all set. I’ve got you on the schedule next Thursday through Sunday. Enjoy your long weekend, you deserve it.” Evan instructed her to separate whatever remaining tips she’d earned from her till and clock out immediately after.

“Man! We’re losing Hollis everyone.” Samuel or “Sammy” as he was known by most everyone in Ringo’s called into the kitchen, where several staff members congregated while waiting on their food. Everyone playfully groaned, making Hollis laugh audibly as she finished her final duty of the evening.

Making out with $203.78 on a busy night was pretty decent, especially considering her hourly pay wasn’t half bad either being what it was in the industry. Pocketing the tips, Hollis removed her apron and strode out of Ringo’s feeling like she could breathe for the first time in almost a week.

“You’ll get along fine without me. See you Thursday!” With one final wave, she let the doors close behind her with an amused smirk. Whether or not they did wasn’t her problem, by Evan’s order. With nothing left to do and not feeling like crashing Dalton and Nina’s private alone time, Hollis figured she’d pay a visit to Chelsea’s for a ice cold brew.

********************

| Whitney |

So far, Whitney hadn’t gotten much of a chance to rest since driving into Auburn late last night. Shortly after devouring the delicious authentic lobster rolls and heavenly slice of peanut butter pie, Kendra had invited some of her classmates from Central Maine community college for a long overdue study session.

“We’ll try to keep it down, but we’re rehearsing a play for drama.” She’d explained sheepishly, making Whitney groan internally.

Of course you are she screamed inside. All Whitney wanted to do was quietly reflect on the direction her life was going, but that obviously wasn’t going to happen tonight.

“No worries,” she lied tightly. “I really should start unpacking.”

And that’s exactly what she’d been doing. All night. The study group turned into a party of sorts at one point, and the rowdy girls didn’t start calming down until around 5 A.M the following morning.

Whitney had forgotten what time she’d eventually passed out, but woke up in a groggy mood much later into the evening. To her dismay, she could hear hearty chatter floating upstairs and felt the undeniable urge to go exploring. Sifting through the chestnut dresser provided with her rented room, Whitney found a flattering white blouse and pencil skirt to go with. Now all she needed was a hot shower, and she’d be on her way to wherever. Anywhere was better than here right now.

Less than an hour later, Whitney was slowly driving along a mall strip. Fascinated, she looked on curiously as people bustled around in laughter, chatting animatedly amongst themselves. Making a mental note to check out the local art shops in Auburn, she finally found a parking spot next to a bar. Peering at the name, she pushed her curly black hair aside.

Chelsea’s Sports Bar seemed relatively empty.

Perfect.

Whitney scooped up a couple books on mastering fine art techniques lingering in the back seat of her car, and made her way toward the establishment with glee. At last she’d have a moment of peace-

“Woah wooooaah!”

Whitney heard a husky female voice cry out in alarm right before she crashed into someone accidentally. Embarrassment burned her cheeks as she crawled to her knees, fiddling with her black braid.

“Ugh, crap...I’m sorry about-” She started to apologize, and quickly went silent. The girl she’d bulldozed into was absolutely breathtaking. Like, model status. Whitney watched as she pulled her medium length ash blonde hair into a bun, and melted when a bright smile was flashed her way.

“You're good, it's no big deal. Relax.” Hollis whistled from somewhere deep inside herself. The flustered woman in front of her had the longest, darkest eye lashes she’d ever seen. Waves of black curls framed her round face, and the bright pink hue of her cheeks was just adorable. Glancing up at Chelsea’s, Hollis smiled knowingly.

“Hey, let me buy you a drink or something-“

“No, no don’t worry about it...I’m just gonna get myself set up over there.” Whitney smiled awkwardly at the striking blonde woman kneeling beside her, gathering a few books that must’ve slipped out of the crook of her arm when they crashed into each other a few minutes ago. She hitched a thumb in the direction of a comfortable looking corner in the back of Chelsea’s Sports Bar, making the stranger smile broadly.

“You’re lucky. That corner spots’ a hard one to get. It just so happens I was heading that way too. Now I have to buy you a drink if I want to sit next to you.” Hollis’ faded grey eyes raked over the other girl, trying to access any injuries, and sighing with relief when none could be found. Whitney took the books back gingerly, and nodded slowly. Girls didn’t usually mess her up, but it was hard to ignore this one’s apparent charm.

“Y-yeah, sure.” She turned on her heel and walked briskly over to their desired seat, undoing her braid as she went. Hollis followed, letting her gaze trail from Whitney’s tumbling waves of curly black hair, to the way her hips swayed in the skin tight peach colored pencil skirt she wore. The scent of fresh peaches lingered behind every step she took. Slipping into that sought after cozy booth beside the dark haired beauty, Hollis immediately grabbed a menu and flipped through it confidently. Her slender finger dragged down the surface until she tapped a section lazily.

“You strike me as a margarita girl.” She didn’t really, that’s just what most women seemed to want in her experience. Whitney shook her curly haired head coyly, and snatched the menu from Hollis’ grasp with a playful smirk.

“I just got in from California last night, and my new roommate kept me up with her study group. I guess that’s what I get for looking at Craigslist to solve my living arrangement problems. Anyhow, I’ll take a dry martini.” She slid it back over and blushed at the impressed grin Hollis awarded her with.

“Well aren’t you so full of surprises, little miss West Coast.”

“You have no idea.” Whitney giggled, making Hollis join in effortlessly.

“You’re alright, you know that? What’s your name?” Hollis rubbed her chin as a childlike smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. Whitney crossed one leg over the other and called a server over. Just before he made it to their table, she leaned over and replied.

“Whitney. Whitney York. Yours?”

“Hollis Bogard. It’s my pleasure...really.”

The two girls took each other in for a moment before the waiter appeared in front of them.

“What’ll ya have?”

“Dry martini, please. And...” she gestured toward Hollis, whose smile broadened.

“Hey man, same.” She nodded at the new waiter, who jotted down their orders and disappeared behind the bar. Hollis looked over at the art books and fingered the cover of the top one.

“I’m no good at drawing...could these books teach me anything?”

Whitney sighed happily, daring herself to stare into the grey clouds of Hollis’ eyes.

“If you’re open to the possibilities, art can teach you anything you want it to.”

“Anything, huh?” Hollis bit her lip, suddenly ashamed to be sitting in front of such a pretty girl still dressed in her grubby work clothes.

“Go ahead, borrow it. Let me know what you find.” Eager for a friend in this new town, Whitney slid the heavy book over to Hollis, who took it happily. “My numbers on the back. I always write my information in my books....in case I lose them.”

With a tingling feeling in her fingers, Hollis fished her phone out and added Whitney’s contact without a second thought.

“Yeah, for sure.”

There was just something about this girl that left her wanting to know more.