C is for Carter

“Well, alright, that sounds good,” Rebecca said, her peppy smile returning. “I have a table that’s almost done with their food, would you be okay taking that one?”

“That’s fine,” I said, sighing.

“Okay,” Rebecca said. “I have fries to take out. I’ll let them know you’re taking over.”

“Thanks.” I sat in the office chair that seemed like it had been in the diner since it was built. It might have come with the wood paneling and the file cabinets that didn’t shut all the way anymore. It creaked and sank as I sat in it, and for the millionth time, I had to remind myself that it did that no matter who sat on it, and it wasn’t some sign that I had snuck too many fries of my own while at work.

I pinched the bridge of my nose, hoping to stave off the tension headache that was beginning to form. I needed to just gut out the shift, ignore Ashton, and go home for a glass of wine and a video call to Harleigh. Her girls were about to have a party for their first birthday, and Harleigh was excited to see her friends for the first time in a couple of weeks. I was excited too, and I tried to let that fuel me as I stood back up, shook off the frustration, and headed back through the doorway into the seating area.

My first stop was at the soda fountain. I filled a glass with a dark cola and dipped back into the office to take a big sip and set it down on the desk. The caffeine might help stave off the headache, and I needed all the help I could get. I went back into the seating area and headed directly to the table that Rebecca was now leaving, gesturing to me.

As Rebecca walked away, heading two tables down to where Ashton was sitting, I could feel his eyes on me. He tried to get my attention, and I pointed to Rebecca.

“She’s going to be right with you,” I said curtly and then turned to the table she had given up for me.

“Oh, come on,” Ashton replied in a huff.

“Hi, I’m Rebecca,” I could hear her say.

“I know,” Ashton grumbled.

“What can I get for you today?” Rebecca continued, undaunted.

With that, I turned my attention to the table that I was standing in front of, getting refill orders and heading to the counter to fill them. I successfully managed to avoid Ashton the entire time he was there, though it wasn’t long. When I noticed he had left, I grabbed Rebecca and asked if he’d paid or was just in the restroom.

“Oh, he’s gone,” Rebecca said. “Just came in for a coffee and a slice of pie.”

“I bet.”

“Hmm?” Rebecca asked, not catching the inference.

“Nothing,” I said. “Thanks for helping me out. I owe you a ten from the table I took over.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Rebecca said.

Rebecca smiled and touched my shoulder, then headed back to another table of hers. I glanced at the clock on the wall and breathed out slowly, releasing the tension.

“One more hour,” I said to myself.

When I got home, the first thing that came off was my shoes. The second was my bra and the work shirt. Slipping on an old T-shirt and changing into pajama pants, I felt a little gross not showering yet, but I just didn’t feel like standing anymore. The sandwich I brought back from the diner was calling my name, as was my desire to call Harleigh and chat with my best friend.

I changed socks and put on slippers, grabbed a glass of wine, and sat down on the couch, turning the television on and putting on a clip show of people doing stupid things on mute. I always enjoyed having something on the TV, mostly just so that I didn’t feel so alone all the time. If there was something flickering in the room, I didn’t feel so bad curling up on the couch with my phone and ignoring it, but if I didn’t have anything on, it just felt sad and lonely.

I took a bite of my sandwich and put the phone on a little desk tripod I’d bought specifically for these calls. Then I pressed the little picture of her face on my home screen, and it dialed her number for the call.

“Lauren,” Harleigh called out, elongating the vowels as she held the phone in one hand and used the other to make one of the babies’ hands wave to me.

“Hey, girl,” I said. “Hi, little princess.”

“How are you doing, babe?” Harleigh asked. “I feel like it’s been forever since we talked.”

“Two days, but yes, that counts as forever in best-friend time. I miss you.”

“I miss you too,” she said. “How is that sandwich? I miss taking those home all the time too.”