Chapter Two Mermaid Tail Cafe

I walked back down the hallway looking for a bathroom. I saw Charlene standing at the hosts' menu podium and I made my way towards her. "Um, I'm looking for a bathroom," holding up my blouse. "In the back follow me! I don't understand why they have to put these stalls in the way back of the Café."

As we were walking to the back, I heard the bells of the front door jingle. I quickly turned my head to see a young female approaching a table close to a window. Swiftly Charlene said," Go through the kitchen door to your left, the employee bathroom is right there." She turned towards the main floor to the customer who had just walked in. I slowly inched towards the kitchen as I heard those same Charlene said to me, "Welcome to the Mermaid Tail, what can I get started for you today"

I knocked on a metal door labeled Restroom. It was empty, so I quickly slipped inside and locked the door behind me. This is only one bathroom, why did Charlene say stalls? Is this what we will have to use during our shifts? Are we not allowed to use customer bathroom? I thought to myself as I took my shirt off. I put my blouse on and fastened my name tag to the left side of my blouse. Looking up at the mirror in the dimly lit bathroom, I tucked my auburn hair behind my ear. "I can do this," I whispered to myself. Exiting the bathroom while stuffing my shirt into my bag, I bumped into a woman. "I'm so sorry I wasn't watching where I was going," looking up I saw I bumped into a short woman wearing a white apron. "Its alright, that bathroom catches everyone off guard their first day. It's terrible placement. I heard you're the new girl? I'm Zoey." "I'm Aileen," I said as I was adjusting myself. "Are you one of the bakers here?" I asked her. "I'm head Baker," she said with a smirk. I take it she is full of herself? Judging her instantly. "Well I better be going to the front. Charlene is training me." Hurrying towards the front, I waved back at Zoey.

Charlene was pouring coffee for an older gentleman reading the newspaper. He smelled of stale coffee and cigarettes. Taking place next to Charlene, I smiled at the customer. Masking my face of its putrid look. He smelled awful. "Good afternoon, lovely lady," he said creepily. "Charlene, baby where have you been hiding this cute thing?"

Ugh another creep. I swallowed my pride to not tell this old man off. Why can't you be like that man on the train. I let out a light giggle while covering my mouth. I'm sure creeps like this think I'm flirty. " Good afternoon, sir. It's my first day."

"Max, you need to stop hitting on these poor girls. She won't last a week if you scare her away. I really need the help around here," Charlene laughed, patting me on the shoulder. She turned to me and said, "Come, I will show you how to do stocking for now before dealing with customers."

I followed her like a shadow to the stockroom, "Are all guys like him?" Pointing over my shoulder. Charlene looked at Max and shrugged, "Not really, you get used to Max he's, an old fart that has no filter. Our last girl quit because he was being creepy to her too. She couldn't handle him. That's why he's my regular. I handle him because I don't take crap from anyone." Charlene pointed to the filters above me,"Grab two boxes," she said. I reached above my head and retrieved the boxes of filters. It was quite a reach.

...****************...

Charlene walked me through how to stock the filters, straws, and napkins. I filled water reservoirs and prepared coffee beans for grinding. I was told to wipe down tables and bring used dishes to the dishwasher. I learned a lot during those few hours of walking behind her. I realized Charlene was a fantastic worker, worked well with others and was great to the customers.

Hours have passed, and the clock had now read 4:42pm. "We have to get ready to start closing up," Charlene said looking down at her watch. I was shocked that time had flown by that fast. "Already! That was a quick day," I said. "Days do go by fast when you are in training here. Tell me did your first day go okay," she asked. "I can't really complain. The pace is different from where I'm from. It's not a bad thing I like quite and slow. I'm from California, so it's always fast and loud." She looked at me with wide eyes, "California! I've always wanted to visit." Charlene turned, making her way to lock the door, "What brings you to Vermont?" I looked down and hesitated my answer, "I'm taking care of and helping my grandmother with her animals. She's getting older and frail and keep up with her goats is getting harder for her." Quickly spinning around, "Your grandma has goats! That's so cute," Charlene said with glee, clapping her hands to her cheeks. I nodded at her.

"I'll show you where the cleaning supplies are. We are in charge of cleaning bathrooms and the front area. All hostesses have that duty," she said as we walked to the stockroom. Charlene handed a yellow bottle of cleaning solution to me and a few tattered rags."Take this and start wiping down tables, I'll go and collect garbage bins." I did as I was told, starting from the back tables, working my way towards the front door. Charlene piling clear trash bags full of napkins and straws and what appeared to be bathroom trash as well. She put a cigarette to her lips and put the bags over her shoulders heading towards the kitchen. "I'm taking these out and having a smoke break. You can handle the rest, yeah?" I quickly nodded at her, smiling with assurance.

As I was wiping down a table, my back turned to the front door, I heard that familiar door bell jingle. That's odd, Charlene locked that door. I turned to face who had walked through the door preparing my thoughts to say Sorry we are closed, only to be met with those same eyes and toothy grin.

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