Husband With Benefits

"Well well, the newbie is here just in time for the evening hour rush. Move fast, newbie."

Lena, the senior waitress winked at her as she passed by while rolling her eyes at the other waitress who was calling out to her. Dressed in a white t-shirt and blue jeans the dress code of the cafe, Nora quickly picked up the large tray with numerous glasses of coffee and rolled her eyes at the manager," Look here, I am able to balance this tray without spilling a drop, that qualifies me to be taken off the newbie block."

The older woman tsked and added another glass of coffee to the tray," Nope, you are a newbie until we have more new blood sign up. This is for table seven. Brace yourself they are caffeine addicts and regulars. Just pass the cups randomly and they will handle it themselves!"

From then on, it was a busy day for Nora who stayed on her feet the entire time, rushing around, getting orders and dodging runaway coffee cups. Lena and Maya, the two other women, continued to tease her and critique her technique throughout the shift, giving her no time to think about the assignment now hanging over her head like a sword.

Finally, as the evening rush quietened, Maya patted Nora on the back and sighed," You are doing well for a rookie. I thought you had no experience."

"I've never worked for money, but sometimes I used to help out at a cafe near my old place."

"Ha! So you lied in the interview! We told you we wanted newbies, and you downplayed your experience so that you could get the job?"

Nora smiled awkwardly at that, unsure now if she was being scolded or teased. This was a feeling that she had come to experience a lot lately. It was because these people had accepted her into this role so easily. All her life, Sara had overshadowed her and only now did Nora realize that she'd been more affected than she realized.

While Nora tried to think what she should say, Lena interceded," Come on, Maya. Don't tease the poor girl! We both know we needed someone experienced but couldn't afford them so naturally Nora is a God-sent."