noise as the occupant desired but made it so beings inside could see out, while beings outside couldn't see in.
Cali took the banquette facing out, and Tay guided Mae to the banquette on the side where their plates sat. They seemed to realize that right now, Cali needed to eat more than to explain. It was another testament to how much they cared for her. Finally, knowing her stomach needed time to adjust to the sudden onslaught of food, she set her utensil aside and decided to jump right in.
"The reason I went to Vavis Prime was to sign the necessary documents to make me the new owner of The Brink."
"What?!!" Mae shrieked. "Cali, that's so great! I can't believe it. I didn't even know Triz wanted to sell. Not that I would, because, duh, why would he tell me anything. I'm just a waitress."
"You are more than that, and you know it, Mae," Cali immediately informed her. "You're Lead Bartender. I've always depended on you to make sure things ran smoothly when I'm not here. But that is going to change."
"Change?" Mae whispered, dropping a protective hand to her distended stomach. "What do you mean?"
"I mean that as Manager, you are going to have to decide who you want to replace you as Lead Bartender. I still plan on bartending, especially once that little one comes." Cali pointed to Mae's belly. "You will take off as much time as you need, with pay, of course, when that happens."
"I… What?" Mae's shocked gaze looked from Cali to Tay. "Cali, I never expected…"
"I know, but you more than deserve the promotion. I'm not planning on making any major changes right now. We'll go over the differences in your duties, hours, and pay, which besides an increase in actual credits, includes living quarters if you choose to live there. If not, I increase your wages to cover what you currently pay."
"Cali…" This time it was Tay's voice filled with disbelief.
"I'll need to move some personal things out, and then the apartment will be all yours. Anything you don't want, or isn't your style, can be put in the storage room. Also, we can seal the door that connects it to The Brink if you have concerns with having it there with offspring."
"I… I don't know what to say," Mae said as she grasped Tay's hand.
"Say?" Cali frowned, her gaze traveling between the couple. "Is there something I'm missing here? I thought you'd be thrilled."
"I am," Mae quickly told her. "It's just…" Her gaze shot to Tay.
"Just what?"
"Tell her, Mae," Tay encouraged, his arm going around her, pulling her close. "Cali will understand."
"Tell me what?" Cali didn't understand what Mae thought was so bad she couldn't tell her.
"I… I lied when I was hired," Mae told Cali, her eyes full of regret.
"About what?"
"I never finished my academic training like I said I did on my hiring form. My parents died, and…" Her quivering chin dropped to her chest. "Oh Gods, I'm so sorry, Cali."
Cali reached out to capture one of Mae's trembling hands. "You have nothing to be sorry about, Mae. Triz has always been something of an ass about education. While I think it is important, experience and a person's willingness to learn are too. You have all those things."
"But you do so much with the numbers and ordering and…"
"And I'll teach you how to do it," Cali reassured her. "Just like Triz taught me. I'm not expecting you to know everything immediately, Mae, or not make any mistakes. I made more than my fair share when I first started. You are an awesome bartender that is always coming up with some amazing new drink. I want you to keep doing that."
"I can do that."
"Good, the rest will come and, Mae…"
"Yes?"
"If you do want to finish your academic training, then I'll help you with that too, but know it won’t affect your job here."
"Th… thank you, Cali."
"Also, I want you to know how sorry I am about your parents. How long have they been gone?"
"Ten years. It happened during a temblor on Gala. The multi-being building we lived in collapsed. I was in the open, public space playing with friends. We all lost our parents."
"How old were you?"
"Twelve," she admitted quietly.
"That's so young, Mae," Cali whispered. She'd known Mae was Galaian, a species similar to Earthans but with a much longer life span. While Galaian young matured at the same rate Earthans did, they usually remained with their parents until they reached