"Tina! We need two more loafs in the oven!"
"On it, Mom!"
Tina scrambled in the kitchen, today was a very busy day. She could feel her head lagging behind her body, as if she was constantly trying to catch up with her own self. Her mother called it a migraine, Tina called it practice.
She repeated her mantra as she placed the bread in the pit. One day it will be mine. One day it will be mine. One day it -
"Tina!" Her grandmother this time. "Get in here girl!"
"Coming, Nana."
Her grandmother's room was small and tidy. To an outsider it might seem cluttered, but the old lady was a veteran at organization and Tina doubted she misplaced a single thing. Her nan knew better than to trouble her at rush hour however, so Tina was curious.
"Remove that apron and freshen up. Anne just quit."
"She what?" Tina forgot herself, yelling louder than she intended. "I'm sorry."
Her nana swiped the comment away with a gesture. "The girl was a child. I told you when we hired her."
"Why?"
"Why was she a child?"
"No." Tina ran a hand through her curls. "Why did she quit?"
"Oh, something about not wanting to waste her life in a small-time joint like ours." She shrugged. "I think someone hurt her feelings and she had enough. I could barely make sense of her ranting. She just left a while ago I was sure you'd hear her wailing."
"Well, I didn't." Tina started pacing as much as the small room would allow her. "We have to find a new waitress then. I can't go, Nana, who will operate the kitchen?"
Another wave of the wizened hand. "Tomorrow. For now you go and be with the costumers. I'll call Ron to replace you in the kitchen."
"Ron?" Tina couldn't hide her incredulity. "Nan, the man's incompetent!"
"Just do what you're told, missy!"
One day it will be mine. One day it will be mine. One day it will be mine.
"Yes, Nana."
She washed, got ready, and was serving people ten minutes later. It was the usual crowd, she recognized many faces, and remembered many of their usual orders. Talk was efficient, fun, and easy. How could Anne not handle this atmosphere was beyond her. Tina would need to talk to her later. After all, Anne begged her for this job, and now she just quits in the middle of the day?
"Pardon, miss. But are you the owner of this establishment?"
The voice came from a middle-aged man who sat with his daughter. Tina hadn't served them yet. "Why would you think that, sir?"
The man shrugged. "Everyone seems to know you. And your eyes, well you might find this odd, but your eyes seem to demand ownership of everything you see."
Tina chuckled and nodded. "You got me there, sir. Not yet. This place is my mother's still."
"And you can't wait to sink your teeth into it, eh?" His daughter giggled. "Got a lot of ideas on how to improve it?"
"Yes, sir." Tina did not know why, but she felt at ease talking to this gentleman. "More than anything in the world."
"See, daddy? I told you she's nice." The daughter was practically jumping on her seat.
Tina took a careful look at the girl. "Sandra?" She turned to face the father. "Sir, I'm sorry for not recognizing you. I've been to your house -" she stopped at an upraised hand, then remembered. "Your... your daughter just quit working here, sir."
He made a dismissive gesture. "She'll be back. You know my Anne's tendencies." He clasped his fingers. "Why not have your own place, Tina? Is your mind set on working here?"
"N-no it isn't." Tina was utterly confused. "I don't..."
"Just... think about it, eh?" Sandra nodded unhealthily and her dad smiled. "I know your work ethic. And I know your creativity - I believe you deserve a shot."
"I-I will, sir."
"And I will talk to Anne about this business as well." Tina was nodding when her mom put two plates of pudding on the table. "Your daughter is doing an excellent job, ma'am."
"Yeah." Her mom kissed her cheek. "Not sure what I'd do without her."
As she left, Tina could hear Anne's dad whisper, "Cool runnings."
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