Today was one of those days where Sindy hustled tables as if the place was on fire. The faster she got orders out, the bigger tip she received, and she needed every penny. She started at six this morning and standing on her feet for almost 12 hours left her in need of a relaxing soak in the hot tub. Freedom was imminent, as table 16 was her last customer. She put on a smile and placed a menu on the table. “Welcome to Justine’s. Can I get—” It was the singer from the coffee shop. The girl with the incredible voice, responsible for the most lucrative day Sindy had seen in a long time. “Tessa. Hi.”
“You remembered me.”
“Sure. You were awesome. I was hoping I’d run into you again. I owe you pie. We have peach, blueberry, apple, and my favorite, banana cream.”
“Sold. I’ll have a slice of banana cream pie and coffee.”
Sindy scribbled on her pad. “Great. I’ll give you a minute to look at the menu.”
“No. I’ll just have the pie and coffee.”
“Oh. OK. I’ll be back with it in a sec.” Sindy hurried to slice the pie while a busboy poured Tessa’s coffee. She watched Tessa making small talk with the busboy, always a smile on her face and never at a loss for words. Sindy had hoped Tessa would come to the diner, not only to cash in on the free pie but as an excuse to see her again. Maybe start up a friendship, or, a collaboration. She took a deep breath and headed back to table 16. “Here’s your pie. Do you mind if I sit for a second?”
“Of course not.” Tessa pointed to the other side of the booth with her fork. “Please, sit.”
“I still play at the coffee shop once a week. I’d love it if you’d join me. I can play the axe until my fingers bleed, but I can’t sing, and you have an amazing voice.”
Tessa stopped eating her pie in order to give Sindy her full attention.
“I thought we played really well together,” Sindy continued. “And it was fun. Don’t you think so?”
“Yes. I do. You know music. Your timing is perfect. I can’t believe you never played with a band. Solo artists usually don’t fall into a groove while performing with someone else as quickly as you did.”
Sindy hadn’t done anything special or different. She had just played the song. “Maybe because I’ve played that song a million times, and I’m sure you’ve sang it just as many.”
“Actually, no. I mean, I know the lyrics, but that was the first time I’ve ever sang it while a guitarist played the song.”
“But, you didn’t miss a word or a beat.”
“That’s because you played it with perfect timing. Just like the original. You threw in your own rendition of the solo, which still blows my mind by the way, but the rest of the song was note for note.”
Sindy’s spirits soared. This girl was pleasant and friendly, and equally enamored about the song they shared. “So you’ll come sing while I play again? You don’t have to commit to anything. Just join me for a few songs. I’ll split the money fifty-fifty.”
“That’s not really my thing. I appreciate the offer. I really do. I’m flattered. But I have a band, and I put all my free time and energy into it.”
Deflated by disappointment, Sindy sunk lower into the booth. The extra money she envisioned coming her way disappeared with the shake of a head. “It’s OK. I understand. It would have been nice though.”
“Maybe we can get together sometime and do something else.”
Sindy had zero free time but she really liked Tessa, and she needed to make some friends. “I’d like that.”
“Great.” Tessa finished the last of the pie. “Leave your number on the check.”
Sindy jotted down the digits to her cell and ripped the paper off her pad. “If I don’t answer, just leave a message. I work long hours so sometimes I’m hard to reach. I’ll call you back, though. And no charge for the pie. I gotta get back to work. Thanks for stopping in. I’m really glad you did.”
“Me too.”
Sindy grabbed a check wallet from table 12 and made her way to the cash register. When she returned with the change, she glanced at table 16. Tessa was gone. They only had a few minutes to talk, but it was a nice break in Sindy’s hectic schedule and probably the only personal conversation she’d have all day. She noticed money sitting under the coffee cup and sighed. She didn’t want Tessa to leave a tip, but she needed the extra few bucks. She picked up the empty pie plate and coffee cup and eagerly reached for the . . . twenty-dollar bill? Sindy stared at it with confusion, than at the front door. Who the hell left a twenty-dollar tip for a cup of coffee and pie? Whowasthis girl?
