Scott's Shift

More Than One Pay-Off

"Teas are always served sweet unless explicitly requested 'unsweet' and don't worry. Those two are here almost every night. You'll meet many of our regulars." Gracie filled me in.

The evening was starting to fade into late night and the rush was slowing down.

Gracie led me through the closing shift duties around 10:00 after all the customers from the last rush had left. "You can always tell time by the amount of people in the restaurant," she bubbled, "and when there is absolutely no one left to wait on, we close out."

She walked me through the easiest closing shift I had ever experienced at a job.

Three simple tasks before clocking out; we sweep, we mop, we kill the lights.

Their wait system is efficiently designed to make closing easier. As tables are leaving, a staff member is collecting the used dinnerware and taking it to the back of the house so dishes do not pile up.

As people are cashing out, the waitstaff are counting their money, separating their tips, and closing down to one drawer.

By 11:00, I ended with just over two hundred dollars in tips from my first night. I guess the town feels sorry for the new girl.

I called Uncle Nate and waited outside for him to come get me.

"So, how was training with Gracie?" that low, rumbling voice chuckled as Scott suddenly appeared, locking the building for the night.

"She was, um..." I fumbled for the right words as his eyes glinted in the street light.

He groaned softly. "Yeah, I know what you mean. Let's just say she hasn't had anyone new to gossip with in forever. She has a very hard time making new friends."

"That's alright, because I haven't had the best luck either," I sighed.

"Oh, now. You did just fine tonight. Would you like to try again tomorrow? All the best tippers will be in on account of it being Friday."

"Yeah, that sounds great. Hey, I meant to talk to Gavin about working around my class schedule for the semester."

"He would be the guy to talk to since he is the daytime manager, but are you even going to be doing morning shifts?" Scott asks.

"I think so, but I really don't know what Gavin planned. He put me on your shift because I had orientation today that went from noon until four. I couldn't make it here before that, so he gave me five o'clock with Gracie." I confess.

I look at my phone to see the time and I yawn. Uncle Nate is running late.

"Hey, do you have a ride coming? I was going to leave when I locked up, but I can wait with you if you would like? Just so you aren't here by yourself this late at night." Scott smiles.

"Yeah, thanks. My uncle should be here soon. Sorry to keep you from going home. I would understand completely if you have to get going. But thank you, I feel safer." I reply.

"So, Evie, what time can you be here tomorrow? Want to call it five again?" he asks.

"Five, it is. Will I be with Gracie again?"

"I can arrange that if it makes you more comfortable." he grins.

His eyes gleam in the sudden headlights pulling into the parking lot. I twirl around to see Uncle Nate driving the Fastback.

"Uncle Nate! What took you so long? Where's your truck? Why is this beast out of her cage?" The onslaught of questions flows from me before I can really register what I am seeing.

"Well, what took me so long is that I had to fill her up with gas. My truck is at home in the driveway. And, she's out of the garage because tonight I'm getting rid of her." he smirks at me.

"Getting rid of her? You mean you are actually selling the Fastback? Aunt Thelma is going to be so upset! Is this why you waited until now, so late at night? If you are picking me up in the Fastback, then selling it, how are we getting home?" Again, the questions flow from me before I have time to process.

"Pumpkin, slow down. No one said anything about 'selling' and Thelma knows what I am doing. She is not mad." he draws a long, steady breath.

"Your aunt and I have been talking all week long about having you stay with us. We made you a deal. We would let you stay with us if you went to school and worked on your degree or if you got a job. We want you to do something with your life."

"Uncle Nate, I don't understand, are you guys mad at me? Are you kicking me out? I did get a job and I had orientation with the college today!" I start to panic.

"Pumpkin, hey. Calm down, Sweetheart. Here," he fumbles the keys to the Fastback between his fingers. "Take these. Aunt Thelma and I are giving you the Fastback. We are proud of your ambition and initiative. We asked you to do one or the other and you did both.

So, you can have the Mustang. Besides, I have the truck and Aunt Thelma has the car. I spent the week getting it in pristine condition with all new parts and Aunt Thelma spent the week transferring the tag, title, and insurance into your name.

The car is 100% yours. You can drive yourself to work, school, and wherever else you need to go." he smiles.

"Uncle Nate, oh my! I don't even know what to say!" I blush as I take the keys to the Mustang and hop in the driver's seat.

My own car!