Assignment 10

As I slid the periwinkle-coloured saucer and matching mug across the counter to the man who stood waiting, I grimaced a smile at him.

“Thank you for your patience.” I’d been saying it all day, thanks to the new hires. “Sorry for the wait,” “thanks for waiting,” “I hope this is the longest you’ll have to wait today.” Well wishes and fake smiles. Truthfully? I didn’t give a shit how long
it took. I was getting paid the same. But these dumb assholes standing in line with their sour faces and glazed eyes couldn’t tell the difference. And we weren’t allowed to let on that we were just as miserable working here as they were to buy their overpriced swill.

“Large flat white, please.”

“A small black coffee.”

“What kind of milk replacements do you have?”  

“A medium Americano, please.”

“Extra-large latte, with a shot of caramel. And extra whip.”

“Is this one very sweet?”

“Double espresso. Just inject it into my veins.”

The indie folk music trickling from the speakers in every corner harmonized with the sound of the machines humming and buzzing and hissing. I always loved using the
coffee grinder. It was the loudest goddamn thing in the room, and—

Shit. I ducked, wincing when I put my hand directly in some syrup that had dripped onto the floor. Don’t come in here, don’t come in here, don’t—

“Hey Kiera.”

Double shit.

“Ivy! Hey.” I quickly grabbed a pen from my back pocket and stood, smiling and holding
up the pen. “Found it.”

“Great. Were you ever going to call me back?” Ivy’s cold blue eyes gave her anger so much more intensity. “I’ve been trying to get ahold of you all week, and—”

“Keep your voice down,” I muttered, darting a glance to the lineup of people standing
at the register to make sure they hadn’t overheard.

“Keep my… Keep my voice down? Did you seriously just say that to me?” Ever the
righteous queen, Ivy’s hands splayed on the counter and she leaned toward me, red
curls falling over her shoulder. “Get your ass on the phone and call Mom. Now.”