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"The same thing I have every day," he said, smiling and seeming in a chipper mood since I had gotten his order correct.
"I can't remember what it is," I said.
"I have one cup of Sprite with my hamburger and then I have one cup of coffee once it hits the nine."
"Once what hits the … oh, the clock?" I asked, understanding once I saw where he was aiming his gaze.
"At twelve-forty-five you have coffee?"
"Yes," he said.
"Okay. I can do that. Do you want your Sprite right now while you're waiting on your burger?"
"What does Misty do?" he said.
"You tell me," I said. "I didn’t get to ask Misty that before she moved."
"She gets my Sprite right now."
"Okay, you can sit right there. I'll go grab your drink and let the kitchen know about your burger."
I went to the kitchen window and placed the ticket for Cal's burger on the track.
"I saw Cal come in," Mister Jim said from the grill. "Isaac's out there if you need a hand."
"Oh, it's fine. Cal's warming up to me, I think."
"How's it going for you out there?" he asked. "Did the man with the hat leave you anything?"
"Yes, sir, four dollars, I think. Three and some change."
"That's good," he said. "I was worried because he stayed for a while after he ate."
"Oh, it was fine," I said. "I'm kind of glad to not be too busy on my first day doing it alone."
"Isaac said you were doing great out there."
"Thank you," I said. "It's a lot faster-paced than my old restaurant. I'm doing my best to keep up."
"My mom told me you moved into Mrs. Blankenship's extra bedroom."
"I did," I said. "Temporarily. It was really nice of her to offer."
"What happened with your place?"
"That room was a scam. The guy took my money. It wasn't even his house. He was over there with a friend of a friend when he gave me the tour."
"Oh, man, I'm sorry. So, you just lost your money?"
"Yes. I was about to leave Seattle because there was nothing else on the market that I could afford, but your mom introduced me to Mrs. Blankenship. I told her I'm just staying for a couple of weeks… really, I'd like to stay ten days, at the most… just until I find another place."
I walked out after that. I had been filling up Cal's drink as I spoke to Jim, and I left once it was full. Jim had been listening to me while I spoke, but I left once I was done with the drink. Neither of us said goodbye—that was just the way conversations worked in a kitchen. I took Cal his drink and set it in front of him.
I had only been talking to him for a minute or two when I noticed someone coming our way. I saw the movement from my periphery, and I smiled as I looked in that direction.
My smile faded when I realized who was approaching. It was a tall, dark, handsome man. It was the same guy who was rude to me on the first day. I actually dreaded seeing him. I secretly hoped that he'd never come into the restaurant ever again.
"This one's open," I said to him, referring to Isaac's section. He was getting dreadfully close to my open stool, and I gestured to the spot where he would be seated with someone else.
