FOTD, Eggnog 11, Passionfruit 28: Tending
Title: Tending
Main Story: In the Heart
Flavors, Toppings, Extras: FOTD (abrade: to wear off or down by scraping or rubbing), eggnog 11 (wishlist), passionfruit 28 (But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep - Robert Frost), malt (day in the life challenge), butterscotch, fresh strawberries (a sea shell).
Word Count: 382
Rating: PG for some cussing.
Summary: Thea needs a break.
Notes: Manager based on an ex-manager of mine. All names have been changed to protect the not-terribly-innocent.
The sand is rough beneath her feet, the air salty at the back of her throat, wearing away the calluses and the taste of smoke.
"Thea?"
The sea smells fresh, not at all the brine of vinegar but the crisp, clean smell of water. The breeze cools her flushed cheeks; the roar of the waves relaxes her, hypnotizes her.
"Thea?"
A sea shell lies under her fingers. She traces its whorls and spikes, the smooth and pebbling texture soothing the pads of her fingers. There's no one around for miles, just her and the sea and the peace...
"Thea!"
Thea started and opened her eyes, to find her manager Eloise standing before her, arms crossed, one foot tapping. "Thea," Eloise said, crossly, "I've been calling your name for five minutes!"
This was unlikely-- Eloise was given to exaggeration and a quick glance at the clock told Thea she'd only gone on break three minutes ago. Nevertheless. "I'm sorry, Eloise," she said, and sat up, stretching. "Did you need me for something?"
Eloise frowned at her for a moment, then said, "Yes. Get out to the bar. We just got in a horde of fraternity brothers or something and Marianne's getting slammed."
Thea groaned. "I just went on break! Can't you fill in for ten minutes?"
Her manager's frown abruptly dived into a scowl. "No," she said, "I can't. I am a manager. I have more important things to do. You are a bartender, so get out and tend the damn bar."
Protest had never availed her in the past. Thea gritted her teeth against a retort, and shoved off her chair.
Eloise talked so dismissively, like a bartender was all she was. But Thea was a student, too, with homework that needed doing and tuition that needed paying. She was a sister, with siblings who needed Christmas and birthday presents; a daughter, with parents who sometimes needed a hand with the rent. Most of all she was a woman, who needed more than twenty-four hours in the day to fulfill all her obligations; a woman who would give anything for fifteen damn minutes off her feet.
Ah, well. Some things just weren't to be.
She slid behind the bar and smiled brightly at the nearest person. "What can I get you, sir?"
Main Story: In the Heart
Flavors, Toppings, Extras: FOTD (abrade: to wear off or down by scraping or rubbing), eggnog 11 (wishlist), passionfruit 28 (But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep - Robert Frost), malt (day in the life challenge), butterscotch, fresh strawberries (a sea shell).
Word Count: 382
Rating: PG for some cussing.
Summary: Thea needs a break.
Notes: Manager based on an ex-manager of mine. All names have been changed to protect the not-terribly-innocent.
The sand is rough beneath her feet, the air salty at the back of her throat, wearing away the calluses and the taste of smoke.
"Thea?"
The sea smells fresh, not at all the brine of vinegar but the crisp, clean smell of water. The breeze cools her flushed cheeks; the roar of the waves relaxes her, hypnotizes her.
"Thea?"
A sea shell lies under her fingers. She traces its whorls and spikes, the smooth and pebbling texture soothing the pads of her fingers. There's no one around for miles, just her and the sea and the peace...
"Thea!"
Thea started and opened her eyes, to find her manager Eloise standing before her, arms crossed, one foot tapping. "Thea," Eloise said, crossly, "I've been calling your name for five minutes!"
This was unlikely-- Eloise was given to exaggeration and a quick glance at the clock told Thea she'd only gone on break three minutes ago. Nevertheless. "I'm sorry, Eloise," she said, and sat up, stretching. "Did you need me for something?"
Eloise frowned at her for a moment, then said, "Yes. Get out to the bar. We just got in a horde of fraternity brothers or something and Marianne's getting slammed."
Thea groaned. "I just went on break! Can't you fill in for ten minutes?"
Her manager's frown abruptly dived into a scowl. "No," she said, "I can't. I am a manager. I have more important things to do. You are a bartender, so get out and tend the damn bar."
Protest had never availed her in the past. Thea gritted her teeth against a retort, and shoved off her chair.
Eloise talked so dismissively, like a bartender was all she was. But Thea was a student, too, with homework that needed doing and tuition that needed paying. She was a sister, with siblings who needed Christmas and birthday presents; a daughter, with parents who sometimes needed a hand with the rent. Most of all she was a woman, who needed more than twenty-four hours in the day to fulfill all her obligations; a woman who would give anything for fifteen damn minutes off her feet.
Ah, well. Some things just weren't to be.
She slid behind the bar and smiled brightly at the nearest person. "What can I get you, sir?"