My Healthy obsession

A seed of hope

Chapter three

Monday mornings were usually the busiest day of the week also the busiest morning at the cafė and it always felt rushed, I had gotten halfway out of bed before I remembered I'd forgotten to charge my phone.

"s**t," i muttered. how did I forget?, a groan slipped past my lips as I reached for the charger on my nightstand. Five percent. I plugged it in before disappearing into the bathroom. The cafė usually opens on Mondays by 7:30am and everyone is expected to be in by seven, which meant being late wasn't an option.

Standing under the cold shower helped erase all traces of sleep better than any coffee ever could. By the time I stepped into my room, I was fully awake, active and ready for the day. I turned off the shower, wrapped a towel around myself and stepped out of the bathroom. I made my way to the bedroom, the Wooden floor felt cold beneath my feet. I closed the door behind me and rubbed the towel over my body until my skin was dry enough to dress. I tossed the towel by the chair next to the wardrobe and pulled the doors open reaching for my uniform that was hanging exactly where I'd left it yesterday.

I slipped into the high waisted black trousers that accentuated my curves without feeling too snug, while the cream shirt settled neatly against my waist and shoulders. I tucked it in, straightened the collar and gave myself a quick once-over before moving to the mirror to pull my braids into a long ponytail, that's when I noticed the dark circles again, they seem noticeable today. I let out a quiet sigh, reached for the foundation sitting on my vanity and dabbed a little beneath each eye then blended it in with my fingertips. I stared at the mirror again, "better" I muttered to myself.

I picked up my apron, unplugged my phone from the charger and checked the screen. 30 percent. 'Great' I'd need music for the long walk to the café.

I headed downstairs, the apartment was too quiet. I glanced toward the living room out of habit, maybe he was home and needed an alone time watching the tv. Empty. I grabbed my bag, slipped on my shoes, locked the front door behind me and started the walk to the café.

The café was already alive by the time I got there. The smell of freshly brewed coffee drifted the air before I stepped inside. Someone was steaming milk behind the counter, the espresso machine hissed every few seconds, and the display case was already filled with croissants, muffins and cinnamon rolls. "Its just another Monday, stay positive Ellie" this has become my daily mantra, it works most times. Making my way to my station, I tied my apron around my waist, after sanitizing my hands, I reached beneath the counter for my notepad and a pen.

"Morning, Ellie."

I smiled over my shoulder at Sarah. She was already balancing a tray of coffees on one arm while lightly scolding James one of our coworkers to stop leaning on the counter and get back to work. "Less leaning, more cleaning boy." At fifty three she was the oldest front of house staff but still manages to put us all in line without sounding harsh.

"Morning to you too, Sarah." she flashed me a quick smile before disappearing toward table eight.

i shook my head with a smile of my own, let out a slow breath, tucked my pen into my apron pocket and picked up my other pad.

i'd barely taken three steps through the café when a couple seated by the window caught my attention with a polite wave.

"Excuse me."

I walked over with a smile. "Good morning, what can I get you today?"

"two cappuccinos, please. And two of those blueberry muffins."

"Coming right up." I scribbled their order on my notepad and made my way to the counter, where the barista was already working through a line of drink tickets.

"Two cappuccinos, “I called, entering the order into the register, before reaching into the display case for muffins.

The next few hours flew by in a hurry, one table became another , empty mugs would disappear replaced with fresh ones , and every few minutes someone was thanking me on their way out. The café never stopped moving, neither did I. Somewhere along the busy Monday rush, maya my best friend and coworker resumed but I was too engrossed in work to notice she had begun her shift, it wasn't until Sarah called my lunch break that I noticed her by the staff room door. She grinned the moment our eyes met. "Sweet ellie" I smiled back. "I thought you weren't working today." I began untying my apron.

"Slept through my alarm." She rolls her eyes with an exaggerated groan. "ugh...I hate Mondays."

I laughed and looped my arm through hers "you're lucky Sarah didn't have your head "

" oh she tried." Maya chuckled as we headed into the staff room. "I got the lecture even before I got the chance to clock in"

The room was big enough for just a table and four mismatched chairs. Maya dropped into a chair and set a paper take out bag on the table. Neither of us said anything for a moment, the silence became awkward. Then....

" you look exhausted, ellie, are you okay?"

I looked up " it's been so busy today at the café of course I'm exhausted." I replied helping maya unpack the food she'd brought, and sliding one of the sandwiches onto a paper plate.

She shook her head. "No that's not what I meant."

I glanced at her. "I'm talking about you, you seem.....stressed lately, is something bothering you?"

I forced a small smile, while I busied myself with opening the packet of chips she'd handed me. "I'm good, really."

"are you sure?"

I nodded. " yeah, it's just... life has been a little hectic, that all."

she held my gaze for a few seconds, as though trying to decide whether to press the issue or drop it. in the end she did drop it. She took a bite of her sandwich and smiled.

" you know what I've been craving lately?" I looked up "what?"

" those cinnamon rolls you brought in a few weeks ago." My lips curved into a smile "the ones Sarah hid from everyone?"

she laughed "yea, those ones Ellie, they tasted so... good," she set her sandwich down. "I'm serious....have you ever thought about taking your baking professionally, owning your own café?"

I let out a small laugh. " a café?"

"Why not?" I shook my head "I don't know, I'm not as good as you think I am" I reached for the bottle of water and took a long sip hoping it would hide the embarrassment creeping onto my face.

she frowned "don't say that." She leaned forward resting her elbows on the table. " you always light up whenever you bake , it's the happiest I've ever seen you."

I looked down at my hand. " I just bake because I enjoy it."

"and you're good at it."

"I've still got a lot to learn"

"exactly." She pointed at me. "which is why you should learn." I looked back up. " what do you mean?"

"Culinary school, or a few baking courses to start with, you don't have to dive into it fully, build your skills and get certified you've already got the talent, Ellie." I smiled shaking my head. " it's not as easy as you think maya."

" it isn't , but it'll be worth the try." I didn't say anything, there are a few times I've thought about this and didn't dwell much on it because I wasn't convinced I was right, but I think I am now.

"I'll think about it." I take another sip of my water

"that's a good start." Sarah's voice drifted into the staff room "break's over, ladies."

maya stood. "Come on, those tables won't clear themselves."

I laughed and followed her out, tying my apron around my waist as we stepped back into the café floor.

The rest of the afternoon slipped by so fast, by the time I left the café, the sun was already beginning to sink, I slung my bag over my shoulder and started the walk home. Maya was right, it was time I had that conversation.