Page 53 - 2024-2025 Creative Writing

Working at a Café

“One escargot with your most extravagant wine!” the woman with

medium-length brassy hair growled at me as she chewed on her gum. I

could feel the mint going up to my brain and freezing my thoughts. Her

cherry-red dress flowed over the tile floor. Her high heels clacked in the

distance. There wasn't much noise now; just the other customers

chattering and the faint sound of jazz music creating the perfect moment

to zone out. I hadn't slept last night because my whining baby sister

woke me up with a nudge every few minutes.

Fingers snapped right in front of my eyes, and I stuttered out of fright,

“W..w-what would you like, ma’am?” It was the woman complaining

about her order being cold. She had taken out her gum, but now the

restaurant was filled with the intoxicating sweet aroma. As she was

leaving, the friendliest-looking kid hopped up to her and asked to refill

the cup with juice. She mumbled something to him, and the child went

back to his seat frowning.

Most of the customers had left, and most of the staff were starting to

clean up the tables. Some of them pleading to go. I had to mop the floor,

which was already reflecting my figure. I took a deep breath and started

to work. By the end of it, I was thrilled to leave; however, my body

ached everywhere, so I sat on one of the chairs and just sunk down to

rest a bit. My eyes blinked one by one, fading away all the thoughts I

had.

10B Azzaya Mundur