“Just busy. I’m sorry, it’s a really crazy night.”
“Well can I help you?” I couldn’t help but look up at her when she said this. Her amber-brown eyes sparkled in the low light.
“No, I couldn’t ask you to do that, you must have plans.”
“Nope. I told you yesterday, I don’t really have friends.” She beamed. Usually one wouldn’t beam with a statement as this, but she did. “I’m totally free. Can I please help you?” I had been in a state of suspended motion looking at her for almost 15 seconds. 15 valuable seconds.
“Well, if you’re sure, that’d be great.” I smiled back at her, reaching down into the cabinet to grab an extra apron. She squealed and skipped around behind the counter, sliding the apron excitedly over her head.
“I’ve never worked in a coffee shop before.” She was teeming with excitement. Oh, the young grasshopper had much to learn.
“Have you ever worked anywhere?”
“Well, no…” She laughed, looking at me.
“Well, there’s not much to it. You can stick to the easy stuff – the recipes for each drink are on that laminated paper right there.” I gestured toward the opposite counter. “You’ll get used to those easy ones. Just come where Robbie is standing.” I turned to Robbie, “And you can go back to coffee and tea.” He looked at me as if I had just given him the gift of life. “Your welcome” I laughed, noting how the smile of one girl could completely turn my night around.
“Tall Chai Latte - ” Sydney stopped when she caught sight of Ashley.
“Syd, Robbie, this is Ashley. She’s an old friend and she said she can give us a hand tonight.”
“Nice to meet you” Ashley said, as she poured milk into her first created drink. Sydney looked skeptical, but she was in no position to turn down help.
“You too” She concluded, and turned back to the myriad of customers.
I looked back to Ashley beside me, only to find that she was standing by the waiting customers, giving one the drink she had just made.
“Do you like it?” She asked, after having watched the man take a sip.
“It’s great, thank you.” He replied. She turned to me and gave me a big thumbs up before returning to my side.
“Hey Ash?” I said, about to tell her she didn’t need to watch each drink get tested.
“Yeah?” her smile was unfaltering.
“…Nothing.” I smiled back.
Ashley was a natural. Soon she was right in stride with me, and we were making drinks like rapid fire. For another forty-five minutes, we worked relentlessly, but then business began to slow, and we did likewise.
