I gulped. Deanna was bold. If I didn’t say anything, she’d take him for herself. I shook the thoughts from my head. It was crazy talk. He was just some guy who stopped in for a burger.
“Thanks. I appreciate the help. It’s busy tonight!” I exclaimed.
“October always is.” She nodded. She’d been working here for three years, while I was going on eight months. “All the way up to January. On the plus side, most holiday diners leave good tips. So, go, earn your tip, and give the hotties their food.” She waved at the tray full of burgers and fries.
My hands were sweaty, and my chest was heaving as I walked to the back booth.
“Hello again!” I said cheerily. “I see you got your refills.”
“Yes, the other girl got it for us. You’re slacking, Scout.” The blond with the long hair smirked.
I swallowed and ignored his comment. I handed each plate to their intended person.
“All right boys, enjoy.” I put my hand on Desiderio’s shoulder. He looked up at me with surprise. I grinned. “Just let me know when you want that pie. It’s on me.” I removed my hand quickly as if his leather jacket had burned me. My heart pounded as I walked back to the back room to get a drink of water and relax.
What’s wrong with me? Why did I touch him?
“Are you ready for your check?” I asked politely after their food was cleared and another round of beer had been served.
The man in the middle stretched his arms out behind the booth and sunk down in his seat. “Actually, we’ll take another round.” He motioned to the empty pitchers.
I held back a deep sigh. Tables came and went. Tip after tip came, but still, those five stayed, ordering beer. The longer they stayed, the more my irritation grew. They were loud and obnoxious. Every time I went to check on them, I received another gross comment with no tip in sight.
Deanna commented on it when we had a slow moment. “You got some lingerers, huh?”
I nodded and glanced their way. “You know how many tables I could have turned?”
She gave me a sympathetic smile. “Sometimes, it’s like that.” She checked her watch. “Shift’s almost over. In a bit, you’ll be home, in a hot shower, forgetting all about those men.”
I definitely hoped so. I was exhausted. With fifteen minutes left, I went to the booth with their check in hand and slammed it on the table.
“My shift is over. So, you can pay your check now, or I’m going to give you over to the next girl.”
“What’s she look like?” one of them said, getting a laugh from the table.
I folded my arms and waited for an answer. The blond with long hair sighed and took out his wallet. He looked at the bill and pulled out a small handful of fifties and tossed them on the table.
“Let’s go, boys. We got a hangover to nurse tomorrow.”
The men stood. I thanked them while collecting the money. I cashed out for the night and went to the back room to change and count my tips. They had actually tipped me pretty damn good.Really good.I crossed myself and looked up at the ceiling, thanking a god I didn’t believe in for the tip.
I changed out of my skirt and back into my baggy jeans, then slipped my Chicago Cubs jersey on, leaving it unbuttoned. Grabbing my backpack, I waved to Deanna and the others still working and then stepped out into the cool air. I took a deep breath and smiled.Finally free.
At least until tomorrow.
I stepped off the curb to head to my car when a voice stopped me short.
“Scout, wait!”
I spun around and froze. There, leaning against the diner with his friends, with one hand holding a cigarette and the other outstretched toward me, was Desiderio.
