Sofia’s mind wondered briefly what she could do with some chocolate sauce, but she’d need a partner for that to happen. With this even crazier schedule, dating, never mind a serious relationship, wasn’t happening. The last thing she needed was to enter work looking flush from thinking some erotic thoughts. Of course, maybe if her mother thought she was sick, she’d go easy on her today.
“I’ll have a piece set aside for you. See you tonight.” Sofia ended the call before Charlene could try talking her into going. She really wanted to see Charlene and tonight was going to be it.
As she turned and looked towards the entrance, she noticed there were more people lingering around than she had expected. Sofia really should’ve called her from home instead. She hoped no one accidently heard her. Time would tell.
Instead of going in the front door like she normally did, she tried to sneak in the back and go through the kitchen. Her father was hustling around as usual. She walked over and he leaned back, stopping long enough for her to kiss him on the cheek.
“You’re here early,” he said.
“Emily needed someone to cover her shift.”
“Ah. That’s my girl. Always watching out for the restaurant.”
He was being so sweet, and that only made her feel more guilty. “Where is Mama?”
“In the dining room. She is preparing for the dinner party tonight. Awe, that’s right, you don’t know about that yet.”
Not everything, she thought. “Who is coming?”
“Sal’s friends. They have been here before. Do you remember the Lawson family?”
“Charlie and his wife Rosslyn?”
“Yes, but it is the entire clan tonight. All of Charlie’s brothers are coming too. They had come once before for a lunch meeting.”
“See all the fun I miss by not working days?” Sofia said laying out the groundwork for when she approached them to switch shifts.
“I am glad you feel that way. Your mama has something she wants to talk to you about.”
Sofia was afraid of that. There was no avoiding the chewing out that was about to commence. But the one thing she knew, her mama wouldn’t do it where the customers could hear. So, she forced a smile and said, “Then I’ll find her now. And don’t forget to stir the gravy.”
She heard her papa grumble as she left the kitchen. He easily got distracted and no way was she letting it burn on account of her. Sure enough, when she entered the dining room her mother was setting up the table in the far corner. No better time than the present.
“Hi Mama. Papa said you wanted to talk to me.”
“Yes. We have an issue.”
And it is with me.“I’m sorry.” She figured she might as well get that out of the way. Why wait until she heard everything she already knew?
“It was about to happen. Change is inevitable.”
“Very true Mama.” But she knew her mother didn’t handle change well. For a recipe, yes, in life, no. “But I’m willing to help out as much as I can.”
Mama turned to her and smiled. “You will?”
She’d probably spoken too soon. Sofia wanted to make her mother happy, but not at the expense of her own happiness. “Mama, I said as much as I can. That’s all I can do.”
Her mother slumped in a seat. “Oh, what am I going to do? I can’t lose her. She is the best waitress I have besides you?”
Sofia blinked and tried to see what she had missed. Obviously, the fact that they weren’t speaking about her. She didn’t want to judge anyone else, but she knew her mother was talking about Emily. “Did she tell you what’s going on?”
“Her husband’s company switched shifts on him without notice. He was forced to take it or lose his job. Since they can’t afford daycare, she now has to switch to working nights. That means I need you here with me to open up and do all the prep, breakfast, and lunch customers. I know this is short notice, but we have no choice. We can’t lose Emily and she can’t afford not to have this income either.”
This was unbelievable. Was it possible that all her worries were for nothing? She was going to be able to have it all, work the restaurant and chase her dreams? It was almost too good to be true, but her mother wasn’t one to joke about such things.
Sofia reached out and placed a hand on her mother’s shoulder. “Don’t worry Mama. I’ve been hoping to take the morning shift too. This works out perfectly.”
“You wanted the morning shift? Why?”