Kickstart My Heart (Burgers and Brew Crue #1) - Lacey Black Page 0,26
where Walker has my next seven on a new tray and ready to go. “All set,” he says, plopping an olive into a martini.
“Thank you,” I say, grabbing the round tray and heading back.
I make a few more trips to the bar over the next two and a half hours. Apparently, this group eats first and then conducts a meeting of some sort. Marla and I hang around and refill glasses whenever needed, but for the most part, our job is winding down. In fact, our shift is winding down too, and it’s nearing four o’clock.
“If you need to leave, I can finish up. I’ll bring your half of the tip tomorrow,” Marla offers.
“Okay,” I reply, grateful she’ll allow me to leave when I need to. Though, I do feel bad sticking her with the cleanup. However, it’s not like I can stay. Mrs. Fritz needs to leave as soon as she can on Wednesdays, which means I need to head out at four.
I refill the water pitcher when I hear Manda over with Marla. She’s one of our replacements for the dinner shift. “I’m not helping, Mar. If she’s not here to clean her table, then I’m taking the tip.”
“Oh, knock it off. You know that’s not how it works,” Marla chastises the younger server with purple and black hair.
“Just sayin’,” she argues, disappearing into the kitchen.
Well, that settles that. There’s no way I’m going to leave at four. Not only will I not risk the tip, but I don’t want to seem like the employee who doesn’t do her share.
I pull my cell phone out of my pocket and dial Mrs. Fritz. “Hello?”
“Hi, Mrs. Fritz, it’s Mallory. I’m stuck at work for a little longer. Can you drop Lizzie off on your way to Bingo?” I ask, hoping the offer still stands.
“Oh, sure, but I can’t stay long. I always get there early enough to secure a good Bingo seat.”
I smile. “Okay, not a problem. I can meet you at the back door. This way, you won’t even have to get out.”
“That’s perfect, dear. I’ll see you in a few minutes.”
Signing off, I slip my phone back into my apron, my mind spinning. Now, what am I going to do with my daughter while I finish up my shift?
“Trouble?”
I startle, spinning around to see Isaac standing behind me.
“Oh, uh, yeah. It’s Lizzie. My babysitter has somewhere to be, but I’m not finished with my shift yet.”
When I interviewed for the server position, I was upfront about my single mother status. While I explained it wouldn’t be a problem during the day, I mentioned my sitter often makes plans for the later afternoon and early evening. Isaac assured me he would be flexible and understanding, even going as far as to mention he and his siblings were raised by a single mother himself.
“Will she stay with me if we go up to my office? Then you can finish up down here.”
Lizzie went to Mrs. Fritz easy enough, but Isaac? I’m not sure.
“Why don’t we try? If that doesn’t work, we’ll come up with plan B. You go back in the dining room, and I’ll holler when they get here.”
I nod and sigh in relief. “Thank you, Isaac.”
He gives me a polite smile. “No problem, Mallory. I understand. Remember, I grew up in a diner, waiting for my mom to get off work when she had no one to watch me.”
I do remember him telling me. He sat in a booth in the far corner more times than not.
I hurry back to the dining room and jump right in refilling water to those requesting it.
“I thought you needed to go? It’s after four,” Marla says.
“I have a temporary solution to a problem and can stay a little longer,” I assure her, collecting empty glasses and cans as I go.
“Can I get the check now?” the man at the head of the table asks.
“Sure thing. Just give me a minute,” I tell him, hurrying over to servers’ station.
Manda is there, watching my every move. “I thought you were leaving.”
I just shrug, typing away on the monitor. “I’ll be out of your hair soon enough.” When I print the bill, Marla checks it over to make sure we didn’t forget anything. I glance at the total again, shocked that one business could spend that much money at a burger joint. But then again, this isn’t just any burger place.
Isaac peeks around the corner and waves. “I’ll take them the bill,” Marla states.