A Day in a Life

Chapter Twelve

Saige

“ C AN YOU PLEASE turn the music down?” I ask.

“Randall,” Sissy hollers. “Can you turn the music down? No one can hear Saige because she doesn’t have the ability to talk louder than a freaking whisper.”

I don’t think Randall can hear Sissy amid the sizzling of burgers, bacon, salmon, and steaks on the hot grill.

I protest. “I can talk loud.” I try to say it as loud as I can, but I have to admit, a small breeze could carry my voice away.

“No, honey, you can’t. You don’t talk, you whisper. It’s fine. Customers love you. They find you pleasant. That’s all that matters. Stop apologizing.”

“I didn’t hear an apology. Did you, Brook?” I ask my coworker.

“Not a single one. Sissy’s hearing must be going. Maybe it’s because she plays her music so loud. Do you know how many times I had to ask my last customer to repeat what he was saying?”

“See, I’m doomed,” I point out.

“Darn straight,” Brook says. “I can talk over my sister’s screaming baby. That’s a feat of epic proportions. I can talk loud and proud. That baby’s always crying. Saige, however, is destined for failure.”

“Randall,” Sissy hollers again. “Turn the freaking music down. Way down.”

“What?” Randall yells.

Brook flashes Sissy a cheesy smile.

“I’ll tell you what, if I want to get anything done around here, I got to do it myself.” Sissy walks off with a huff.

“Hot date tonight, Saige?” Brook asks with a wink.

“Yep, super steamy.”

“Again? Really? How long have you been seeing your bathtub?”

“Going on a while now. It’s a forever kind of love. Besides, if the new girl would stop calling in sick every other shift, we wouldn’t have to take up the slack.”

“What’s that got to do with your relationship with your bathtub?” Brook demands.

“Everything. He makes my feet stop aching after a long shift. He’s the best.”

“Your bathtub’s a he?”

“Of course. He’s my man. Don’t need anyone else.”

“You got problems, sister.” Brook rolls her eyes.

“He doesn’t interrupt when I speak, he never tells me what to do, he’s a great listener, and he never cheats on me.”

“I guess that’s more than I can say about my man. I broke up with Tom last night. He was seeing another girl.”

I freeze. “What? Are you okay?” I give her a tight hug.

“Eh, I’ll be fine. I was sick of him anyway. Always had to pick up after him. He was driving me nuts.”

“I’m sorry, Brook. You can borrow my man anytime.”

“Ha! Love ya, you weirdo.”

“Love you too, weirdo.”

“Get back to work, you two. I’m not paying you to be lollygagging around,” Sissy hollers.

Brook makes a funny face. “Have you ever lollygagged?” she asks me.

“Never. Not once in my life. I don’t trust lollygagging. It’s against everything I believe in.”

“Same. Quit insulting your best workers, Sissy. How could you?” Brook tilts her head with attitude.

Sissy gives us the evil eye, hits the bell on the counter, and hollers, “Order’s up!”

As Brook and I grab our orders, Sissy laughs under her breath. “You two! Gonna be the death of me.”

While I love our friendly banter, the truth is, Sissy has been life for me. Really. She helped me feel alive again, even though she doesn’t know it. Randall and Sissy’s restaurant was the first place I applied for work when I arrived in Key West. They gave me the job, then asked if I could start the next day.

I’ve been here ever since. I love the work environment. I feel surrounded by friends who have become more like family to me.

Most importantly, I never feel alone.