Freezing: the bitter air swept through the café windows, the heating not working yet. You shuddered violently, slamming the panel shut.
It had just turned 10AM, customers began filing in and lining up at the register. You knew this shift was going to be disastrous, being the only one scheduled that day. Working at a café was overrated- with low wage and exhausting hours. Maybe it just wasn’t for you. It’s not like there was a choice, though, having to decide between staying warm and eating most nights. It wasn’t easy, but it was better than nothing.
That’s what you repeated to yourself, greeting regulars with a grin that never touched your eyes and a pitch in your voice that could reach the ceiling if it wanted to. ‘Gotta keep the customers happy’ is what your manager drilled into your head at orientation.
The lack of sleep and the constant overworking was prominent: dark circles that seeped into your skin and a crease etched into your forehead. Sometimes the other employees would joke to you about the manager giving you long hours, knowing that if he heard anything about it his head would most likely erupt off of his neck like an overdue volcano.
These thoughts keep you occupied until lunch hour, which is when the café becomes overloaded with orders.
One, two, three, four..
They just kept coming.
Brain on autopilot, hands scrambling to pack the paper bags and send them on their way without fuss. Unfortunately, the area you stayed in was filled with people that could argue with a brick wall if they really wanted to.
You handed out the paper bag, reading out the name to see no one there. You recited the name again, louder, yet no one came forward.
“Is this yours?”
You gestured to a woman, who rolled her eyes in response.
“Great.”
You put the bag to one side, packing the rest of the lunch regulars on their way. The café had now returned to how it was this morning, empty.
That was until the door chimed, a man rushing forward to snatch the bag from the counter.
You had encountered sandwich thieves and bagel thieves often, but today was not the day to mess around. Being tired and awfully cranky, you snatched the bag back, shooting him a stern expression.
He snarled and tried to tug it away, attempting to run off with it. You knew poverty was vast in the town, yet this could risk you being fired.
“Leave the lady alone.”
A pale hand on his shoulder grappled him away, the man scurrying out of the café. Shocked, you turned to look at the woman who had just saved your job.
“Thankyou..”
“And they say working in a café is easy work.
What’s a pretty girl like you doing down here?”
Piercing green eyes met yours, a soft smirk playing on the woman’s lips. You panicked slightly, losing your trail of thought.
A soft sigh.
“Uhm..”
Fuck.
“I’ll have a chai latte please, darling.”
You shake your head, as if to clear your thoughts. She watches you, amused, your hands scrambling as the coffee pours into the cup.
“The name’s Wanda.”
W-A-N-D-A
She takes the coffee appreciatively, sipping it and sighing. “Delicious, darling.”
Wanda sends you a wink, letting you know you’ve done a good job.
“Thankyou.”
Heat rises to your face at the small praise and you nod at her meekly, hands fidgeting behind your back. You expect Wanda to leave, but she doesn’t. She stays, eyeing you curiously.
“You didn’t answer my question.”
“I.. I’ve lived here my entire life. I’m not a big fan of this area but, you can’t pick and choose I suppose.”
Wanda nods at you, listening to every word that comes out of your mouth. She looks down in thought for a second, her neatly manicured nails tapping the edge of the cup.
“If you had the chance to, would you live somewhere different? Lead a different life?”
You watch her for a second, not really knowing how to answer. Awful bills and this café job was all you’ve ever known.
“I suppose so.”
Wanda seems pleased at this, her eyes drifting for a second. You catch this and turn away slightly, not knowing what to do with yourself.
“That’s interesting. Very interesting, in fact. I’ll be seeing you around a lot more then.”
She nods at you firmly before shooting a small smile your way, exiting the café. You are now left to think about that strange encounter.
“I’ll be seeing you around a lot more then.”