chapter 2 - 134

"Thanks again! You rock!" Josie swung open the glass door, a bell chiming in response. The sky still soaked in greens and blues, Josie entered into her new place of employment with an especially chipper tune to her voice. Of course she knew these next couple weeks were just a trial, she wasn't unrealistic, but hope was at the top of her mind for the first time in months. This could really work and if all went well, she could find herself swimming to a professional level.

"Good morning, Josie, I'm so glad you could make it." Daniel extended a hand which Josie eagerly met. "Today will be reserved for training, although I imagine you don't need much, you came highly recommended!" Daniel's cheeks pushed his eyes closed as he smiled his signature smile.

Josie followed Daniel over to the register, behind the counter of baked goods were the usual equipment: espresso maker, ice crusher, blender, etc. Wiping the glass was a woman slightly taller than Josie, though a fair bit chubby. Her belly wasn't quite pronounced, but evidence of plumper arms, legs sticking together and a barely noticeable food stain on her breast pocket pointed to a guilty pleasure of the occasional pastry or dessert.

Daniel pat the woman on the shoulder and drew Josie in closer for a proper introduction. "This here's Vicky. She's been here for about a month, and'll be showing you the 'chains and sweets' as they say." Josie shook Vicky’s hand absentmindedly, trying to decipher if the man simply misspoke or genuinely thought that was a real saying.

Vicky took back her hand for a nibble of cinnamon roll, leaving a tiny bit of glaze on the corner of her mouth, "You'll do great here, we have a pretty laid-back environment and we are very fortunate to have such pleasant customers." Vicky took a chair and sat at the iPad and register, "Everything is pretty much automated or self-serve. Say I want a cheese Danish," the woman's stubby fingers pressed a couple buttons. "All I gotta do is a couple clicks," a motor roared and the glass case slid back from the top row, "and presto! We don't have to contaminate it with our hands, and the customer leaves happy!"

Was that really all there was to it? Josie frowned to herself; what about the hussle? Was she really just a glorified cashier?

"Now we don't get it as easy with the drinks, but Daniel is always working to improve the process behind the scenes." He winked from across the room. "Your job will be making them." Thank goodness, this was more her speed. Coffee was hard, sure, but this had been most of her twenties, a few cappuccinos or americanos couldn't phase her. "We have a number system, so you can place it on the counter when you're done, and move on to the next one. Do you have previous experience with this equipment?"

She nodded and started it up, "What can I make you?" Josie bounced on the balls of her feet, her ponytail flipping behind her as she prepared a drink for her new coworker.

"He hee, I like your attitude! How 'bout a hot chocolate with extra whipped cream and a drizzle of chocolate." It was late-Spring, but she didn't push the point. Josie found most of the ingredients within her reach, a machine already prepped for hot milky chocolate. In a snap, she was finished, and a 20 oz hot chocolate struggled to keep a tall whipped tower, the chocolate forming rivers down it's snowy peak. Vicky nearly blew it off as she grabbed a large cup.

"Mmmm, not bad not bad!" She titled the cup forward revealing a white moustache of sugary cream. Josie sighed with relief as the woman chuckled, "You're gonna fit in just fine!"

********

The day came and went with customers infrequently filing in and out. For a place with an owner willing to pay top dollar to the staff, it sure was deserted, although Josie had never heard of this place until yesterday. Perhaps it was too soon for word of mouth to take hold. but she couldn't complain; Vicky kept her busy with a variety of hot chocolate orders, adding in heavy drips of caramel and syrups to tide her over, though it never seemed to fully satiate her.

"You did good, kid!" Vicky wasn't much older than Josie, but she still appreciated the praise all the same. She wiped the sweat from her brow and sat, untying her apron with one hand and filling in her timesheet with the other while Vicky continued on, "Can I interest you in some leftover cinnamon rolls?" Vicky grabbed two the size of a small cake, each drizzling with icing, melting onto her finger tips. "I swear these suckers are to die for," She shoved the bag to Josie who looked up hesitantly. "Now I won't accept a 'no', you deserve a treat after working so hard today. And since we'll be working together, I need to know if the recipe needs improvin'." Vicky's eyes shifted, "Daniel believes they're perfect, but if you ask me, you can never have too much icing." She put her palms to her belly and chuckled once more.

Josie tried to hide her disgust, instead her mind drifted to the night ahead, a small smile emerging. This was her first of many in this new chapter of her life, a chance to dedicate herself, to see what she was truly capable of. The thought of her new, true self left her heart pounding in yearning, dreaming about the freeness of her body as it breached the waves filling her with purpose. Just a few more minutes until...

"Josie, can I talk to you for a second?" No, he was going to ask her to stay and work overtime, wasn't he? Of course this was too good to be true, he obviously wanted her to—"Have a good night! You did great today!"

..He didn't want anything? He didn't want anything! Finally, time to herself, Josie knew this was a match made in heaven. She didn't need the full 14 days, this job was perfect, and she was going to become an amateur swimming. Her dream.

********

"Ugh, I knew I should have eaten before practicing." Josie clenched a fist to her flat stomach, an audible gurgle leaving her in hunger. She picked up her bag from the lounge and proceeded out.

"I HAVE to eat." She looked into her bag, remembering the rolls Vicky was kind enough to gift her. Was she that desperate? She worked hard, didn't she deserve a nice little treat?

Josie rolled her eyes, groaning in disgust, "I ain't that desperate." Josie covered herself with her other arm, trying to silence her stomach as it protested her words. "She's nice," she hated to think ill-will of anyone... "—but damn that woman is a pig." Josie yanked out the bag and tossed it.