My phone rings. It’s David again and I reject his call. A minute later he texts, asking me to stop ignoring him. I was strong enough to leave, but I don’t want to have to hear promises and excuses, because undoubtedly that’s what he’s going for. Although I haven’t officially left him before, we’ve had plenty of fights and all of them ended with: ‘It will be different. Let’s give it another try’. Every single time.

“Everything alright?” asks Celine.

I put my phone away and nod.

She takes me in the back and walks me through the kitchen, where everything is made from scratch with fresh ingredients. She shows me where things go in the walk-in pantry and fridge and assures me she won’t ask me to cook anything—unless I want to. I’m sure I won’t because I’m beyond clumsy around sharp or hot things. She shows me the baking area and finally the espresso and coffee machines. I pay close attention to all the details, although I don’t think she’ll ask me to make coffee. Probably just take orders, serve customers, and clean tables.

It’s been seven years since I’ve done this and I’m a little nervous, but Celine is doing a great job of sharing all the details and reassuring me she will help me with anything I need.

“You’ll do great and our customers are easygoing so you won’t have any problems. There is the odd tourist who has a short temper or doesn’t have patience if the line is long, but I can take them on. And if anything, just keep your cool, stay calm, and if you can… smile.”

I show my teeth like a monkey.

“That should do it,” she says and bursts into laughter.

It’s now four o’clock. I think I’m ready. Let the games begin.

Twenty-Nine

I have walked more miles in these fifteen hundred square feet for the last six hours than in the previous six months in all of New York.

There were no problem customers, only pleasant clients, which was perfect for getting my feet wet. I’ve already learned the names of five of them who Celine says are regulars.

My cheeks hurt from smiling, and I’m finding myself saying ‘thank you’ and ‘have a nice day’ in my mind every few seconds. But I enjoyed it, which is surprising. The first couple of hours were tough, I’ll admit. Not that I’m unpleasant, it’s just that being this pleasant doesn’t come naturally. Making small talk, waiting for people to choose their food, repeating the orders to make sure I got them right, smiling. But I mimicked the way Celine talked to customers, and based on what she just told me five minutes ago—“People love you”—I think I did OK.

“You don’t have to stay if you’re tired,” she says after the last customers leave.

“We have to clean up,” I say stoically and start wiping down the tables.

“I imagine it’s quite a lot for your first day,” she says.