Tremble

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“EXCUSE ME... CAN I get another coffee over here?” snapped the twenty-something blonde with the Bluetooth attached to her ear. She’d been sitting in the corner of the diner, talking loudly, making sure everyone around her knew she was important. From her boasting, I understood she was some type of investor, and a successful one at that. To me, she’d been nothing but a royal b***h.

“Is there anything else I can get for you?” I asked quietly, refilling her cup for the fourth time. She’d been in the diner for almost an hour and had nearly bitten my head off after I’d asked if she wanted something more than coffee. But, Rose wanted me to keep asking. Just in case the woman changed her mind.

She smiled coolly. “Actually, yes. I’d like the Asian Chicken Salad. I want the meat grilled, though. Not fried.”

“No problem. What kind of dressing would you like?”

“The kind it comes with,” she replied almost rudely.

I forced a smile to my face. “Sorry. Sometimes people want to change it. That’s the only reason why I asked.”

“I would have told you if I wanted a different dressing.”

My eye twitched. “Of course.”

Bitch. Leave already.

Startled, I looked up from my order pad. “Excuse me?”

She raised her eyebrow. “Yes?”

“Sorry, I thought I heard you say something else. It must have been my imagination.”

She checked the time on her cell phone. “Must have been. Look, I don’t have much time to wait. So, I’d appreciate it if you could hurry on my order. In fact, I’ll take just take it to go instead.”

“Sure.”

They’ll hire any i***t to work here...

This time it felt like I’d heard her as clear as day. I hadn’t seen her lips move, but the voice had sounded like it was next to my ear. Weirded out, I stepped backward, right into Susan, knocking her tray of water glasses over. I groaned. “Oh, God! I’m sorry!”

Susan bent down and began picking up the glasses. “It’s fine, Nikki. Fortunately, it wasn’t anything important. Just a little water.”

As I bent down to help her, the evil blonde customer’s voice popped into my head once again.

They really should fire this klutzy t**t.

I stood up and glared at her. “What did you just call me?”

She gave me a startled look. “Call you? I have no idea of what you’re talking about.”

“Oh, my. Are we having problems over here?” Rosie, the owner, asked as she approached us.

My face turned red. Everyone in the restaurant appeared to be staring now. “Sorry. My fault, I bumped into Susan.”

Rosie smiled. “Don’t sweat it, honey. It’s just water. I’ll help you, Susan. Nikki, why don’t you go and seat those other people who just walked in.”

Relieved that she wasn’t mad, I relaxed. “Sure.”

“What about me? Could somebody please place my damn order so that I can get the hell out of here?” the blonde snapped, tapping her long, painted nails against the table furiously.

“Yeah. Of course. I’ll do it before I seat the new customers,” I replied.

Susan put her hand on my shoulder. “Don’t worry, Nikki. I’ll take care of them.”

Obviously, my waitress can’t handle multitasking.

“Thanks, Susan.” I turned back to the woman, dying to say something about her rudeness, but knowing that I couldn’t. Rosie hated asshole customers, but she also wouldn’t tolerate her staff being rude either. She preferred to handle all of the heated situations. Still, this woman was really pushing my buttons.

The blonde smirked. “Let me guess, you already forgot what I ordered?”

“No. I was just going to suggest the House Salad. It takes less time to make and fewer calories than the Asian.”

Her mouth dropped open. “What in the hell is that supposed to mean?”

I smiled innocently. “I’m just saying... you’re in a hurry. The extra calories in the salad dressing might bog you down.”

“Just order me the damn Oriental Salad.”

“You mean the Asian salad?” I replied.

“Good, God. Who f*****g cares? You know what I mean.”

“Excuse me,” Rosie interrupted, having had enough. “Ma’am, that’s no way to talk to one of my waitresses.”

The woman reached into her purse and threw a couple of dollar bills onto the table. “Screw this two-bit diner. I don’t have time for this bullshit.” Then she slid out of the booth, grabbed her briefcase, and stormed out of the restaurant.

Susan snorted. “Bye, Felicia.”

“No kidding.” Rosie sighed. “I’m not sure what that was all about, but sometimes, it’s just better to let customers like that leave.”

“I’m sorry,” I muttered. “It was probably my fault.”

“No.” Susan lowered her voice. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. That’s just Faye Dunbar and everyone knows she’s an annoying cunt.”

I burst out laughing. Susan didn’t swear much, so it was hilarious to hear such vulgar language coming from her lips.

Rosie chuckled. “I have to agree with you there. Snobby, rich b***h with some major superiority issues.”

Susan and I agreed.

“More people just walked in. I’ll take care of them, too.” Susan headed toward the front of the restaurant.

“Why don’t you go on break, Nikki?” Rosie suggested. “You’ve been running yourself ragged all morning.”

I nodded toward my section. “I have a couple of tables still needing my attention. They’re just finishing up dessert.”

“Then do it after they leave. You’ve been working your tail off today. Eat something. I bet you’re hungry.”

I actually was. “Thanks.”

Rosie went about her business and I checked on my customers, trying hard to forget about Faye. I still wasn’t sure how I was able to read her mind, but I knew it wasn’t my imagination. I’d heard her clear as day. It was creepy.

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