Getting hot at the coffee shop

9

The rest of the day went about as well as I had expected. Leo was in a permanently bad mood with me but absolutely lovely to the customers. He still asked me to fix things as if I should know what he was talking about and chastised me every time I told him I didn’t know how to do it.

“Have you been paying attention to anything today?” He asked loudly at one point, in front of a guy around our age.

I helplessly looked at him as he seemed to be waiting for an answer as well.

“I have watched every single thing that you have done! You are the worst trainer I have ever had. You act like I’m supposed to come in here and immediately know how to do everything without ever having been shown how to do it. You have a terrible attitude and take every opportunity you can to be a jerk to me. The customers love you only because you eat them up to their face while complaining behind their back. I don’t understand how you keep this job.”

I hadn’t meant to go off on him but it felt good to get it off my chest. He had to know I wasn’t going to keep taking his snarky comments the whole day.

Instead of retorting, he turned to the customer and smirked.

“Can you believe this? It happens every time a woman gets hired somewhere. They always come in thinking that just because they have a pretty face, they’re not going to be expected to work. Then they dress provocatively expecting that that will get them more tips.” He laughed coldly “and they think we’re the weaker of the sexes while we’re actually out here working while they’re playing dress up.”

My face reddened. I felt completely attacked by his words, especially the way I had dressed. Almost as though he had read my mind. I waited for the guy to say something in my defense but instead he just stood there nodding in agreement.

“I get it man. We have a few like that at my job too. They cozy up to the boss and barely have to do anything while the rest of us are actually earning our paychecks.”

Leo looked back at me, a smug look on his face while I stood there in shock. The absolutely misogynistic comments that came from the two of them infuriated me. I had never been privy to such a conversation and never thought I would be the subject of one. Quickly untying my apron, I snatched it off and stomped away to the bathroom for the second time that day. I heard the two of them continuing their conversation and laughing as I made my way away from the two of them.

Once inside the bathroom, I checked under the stall doors to make sure nobody was in here this time. After seeing they were empty, I once more placed my hand on the sink and faced myself in the mirror. My face was bright red.

“Breathe” I told my reflection. “He’s not worth it. Neither of them are. Some guys just hate women and can’t help themselves.” I didn’t believe that last part but I gave myself a pep talk anyway.

“You need this job. You have bills to pay. You aren’t going to let him upset you and make you feel like you’re the problem when it’s actually him.”

Feeling my heart slow down, I splashed some water on my face and dabbed it dry. Feeling a little better than I had a few moments before, I made my way back out.