Clare

Yawning and rubbing my eyes, I walked out of my room to the living room where my books had been arranged on the dining table beside Josie’s open kitchen in preparation for my early morning study hour.

However, when I flipped the switch and turned on the light, what I saw on the couch made me stop in my tracks as all the grogginess and sleepiness I was feeling abruptly slipped away.

“Oh, shit.” The words tumbled out of my lips as the image of Josie wearing nothing but her underwear and straddling another woman on the sitting room couch while they made out with fervor danced around my mind.

“I’m so sorry,” I apologized, turning away as Josie scrambled off the woman she was making out with who was at least wearing shorts and a bra.

Five minutes later, Josie was dressed and her friend was wearing a long shirt as we sat on the couch. I stared at my palms, trying to avoid staring at Josie’s flushed face and swollen lips while wishing that I could go back in time and avoid coming to the living room to study.

Thankfully, Josie’s partner seemed unbothered that I’d caught them making out as she introduced herself with a wave. “Hi, I’m Della and you must be Clare. I’ve heard a lot about you from Josie. Nice to meet you.”

I forced a smile as I waved back at her without looking up. “Hello, it’s nice to meet you too. I’m…ah really sorry to interrupt you. I just wanted to study a little. Next time, I’ll just study in my room.”

“No, no. Just study in the living room. We…got carried away. Next time, we’ll either do this in my room or at her house.” Josie rushed to reassure me.

I looked up to find her staring at me earnestly. The sight of her concerned face filled me with warmth because it made me realize how kind Josie actually was. If it was someone else, they would have gotten mad at me, an unwanted tenant, for interrupting their time together.

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Even when I’d caught my own mother making out with my stepfather by accident, she’d gotten mad at me because my stepfather had suggested that they continued while I watched. As punishment, she had also given me the silent treatment for an entire week, no matter how many times I apologized to her.

“Got it, thank you. Well, I won’t interrupt you anymore. I’ll take my history book and go study in my room today.” I said.

“Wait. You were looking for a job, right? I talked to Della about the coffee you made me this morning. She’s the owner and manager of the diner I work at. She is willing to give you an interview opportunity.” Josie said.

“You can come over for an interview tomorrow afternoon after school and make me and the staff a cup of coffee based on our preferences and if they’re good, then you’re hired.” Della said with a smile.

For a second I didn’t know what to say because I’d not only gotten a job earlier this evening, and I started work tomorrow. “I’m so sorry. I would have loved to work at the diner, but I just got a job as a bartender at the Lounge, and I have signed all the paperwork to make it official.”

“Oh, wow! Congratulations, Clare!” Josie said, looking very happy for me.

“Congratulations! You must be really good because the Lounge is very picky on their bartender hires.” Della complimented me with a smile as well.

I couldn’t help blushing at their praise. I had always loved being praised, especially by my mother. It was why I’d worked so hard to learn how to do everything she could do as a herbalist. I thrived on the praise I got from her when I helped her to germinate a difficult herb or helped her to make a difficult potion or concoction. Unfortunately, after my stepfather walked into our lives, I hardly ever got any praise from her until she died.

“Thank you.” Since I was pleased with their praises, I was willing to go out of my way to help them. “Um, if you really need someone to make drinks in the diner, I could come over in the morning to make large batches of different commonly ordered coffees and teas. When do you open?”

Della seemed surprised at my words but Josie smiled and answered me, “We open at 6:00am but I don’t think you should take this job. You won’t be getting back from the Lounge until late in the evening and then you’ll have to wake up earlier in the morning to help us make drinks, which will cost you sleeping time and possibly affect your studies.”

When she put it that way, I realized that she was right, so I nodded. “Oh, then, maybe next time. I guess.”

Josie nodded, smiling at me as she stood up. “Well, I’m going to get ready for work with Della. I brought home tomatoes, spinach and ham so you can make yourself some sandwiches for breakfast.”

“Alright, thank you!” I answered with a smile.

“Nice to meet you, Clare.” Della said as she followed Josie back to her room.

“Nice to meet you, too.” I answered.