The Swap

ANDY’S POV

“Get your shit together Andy, we don’t run this restaurant with such clumsiness” My boss, Mr. Clifford, bangs on the counter as he dishes out his words.

“Yeah… I’m… I’m sorry it won’t happen again” I stutter cleaning up the spilled cup of coffee on the ground.

“It better” He mutters before he walks off to his office and I let out a deep sigh.

That was close.

Working three jobs at the same time would tell on anyone, but it’s what I have to do to put food on the table. Till things start to look up for me, I have to be thankful for what I have now.

I scoff at myself. Who am I kidding?

This is hell! Sometimes I just wish I could rip his head off and shove that big head of his down the toilet. But he’s my boss, and my money comes first.

If I ever get out of here or get a better job, I swear I would flip the finger at him before strutting out of this damn sorry excuse of a restaurant.

They call this a restaurant, I call this Hades. But this place is the only place that would guarantee my livelihood. Well at least for now.

I do hope so though.

I close in an hour then I have to go to the pet shelter. Then by night I should meet Angela at the casino.

I’m dreading the next few hours already.

I let out a slight groan as I add a little pressure to my neck, to ease the strain.

My phone buzzes in my pocket and I pull it out.

“What’s up?” I chirp

“I need a favor from you” Angela said over the phone.

“Angy, you know-“

“Just this one time. Please, please” She whines and I let out a tired sigh

“What’s up this time?”

“I need you to stand in for me at a gala tonight” She states

“Angela, that’s not a favor, that’s a whole contract” I respond resting my elbow on the mop I was holding.

“I know, but I can’t go and you know how madam Stephanie can be, she would rip my head off” She rants.

“Why can’t you go though?” I furrow my brows picking a torn receipt off the ground.

“I may have a…date?” She squeaks the last part.

“A date?!” I gasp into the phone not realizing I raised my voice, turning the head of the people in the restaurant.

I flash an apologetic smile before walking further away from the crowd.

“You got a date?” I whisper yell into the phone “And you didn’t tell me?” I add.

“It just happened like ten minutes ago and I was so lost in his green globes I totally forgot I had to waitress at a gala tonight” She explains.

“Angela…” I complain

“Please…do it for your bestest friend in the world” I could literally see her pout.

I roll my eyes and let out another tired sigh “The things I do for love” I mutter into the phone shaking my head.

“Is that a yes?” Her voice a slight glee.

“Sure…” I respond and she squeals happily. “But on one condition” I add.

“Anything”

“You better tell me everything by tomorrow morning, or I would be the one to rip your head off”

“You don’t have to worry about that” She responds.

“What time is the gala?” I ask.

“It starts at 10pm but we have to be there by 8:30pm, Madam Stephanie wants perfection” She explains

“Okay…. And the dress code?”

“I got that covered, the dress is in my wardrobe on the left. It’s a black leather dress and the shoes are on the rack. Oh and don’t worry about your night shift, I already convinced Natalie” She states.

“You really had this figured out” I nod “This date didn’t just happen ten minutes ago….did it?” I squint my eyes.

“Maybe…. Maybe not”

“Angela”

“Okay fine….it was a week ago, but I didn’t think he was serious, I thought we were just flirting, and then he call minutes ago and I freaked out” She rants

A customer walks into the restaurant and takes a seat.

Saved by the chimney.

“Whatever, I gotta go, you still got a lot of explaining to do!”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah, but don’t forget to make the stand in call” She quickly states.

“Okay…bye Munchkin”

“Bye Marshmallow”

The line goes dead and I rush towards the man.

I pull out my note and pen before I speak “Can I take your order?”

“Yeah” He responds “I’m actually waiting for someone…I mean, my girl, and I don’t know what she would want to order yet….so I’ll just wait for her” He states.

“Okay… I’ll come take your order later then” I respond with a smile and he nods

“She would be here any minute though” He quickly adds before I walk away, I send him a small smile and nod before walking away.

I get back to the counter and wipe it clean for the umpteenth time today. It’s not even none yet and I’m already so tired.

Maybe I just need to get laid.

This gala better be good, and I hope the pay is good too. Cripes! I forgot to ask Angela about the pay.

I pull out my phone to send her a text when the chimney dings again.

I look up to my best friend in all of her glory in a blue sundress and her hair wavy and curly.

Our eyes make contact and she sends me a shy smile before walking towards the same table I had just left a minute ago.

She’s the friend he was waiting for.

Well he’s cute. I would give him. But why didn’t she tell me they were coming here.

I grab my small note from the counter before walking towards them with a smile.

This tiny little weasel!