Summer Job

‘I can’t believe you got a job.’ Jamilla moans, as she swipes through her socials whilst lounging on Lizzie’s bed. ‘You’re gonna miss most of summer.’

   ‘I need the money,’ Lizzie replies as she pulls a crisp, white shirt over her head. ‘You know how hard the pandemic hit my parents’ business. If I don’t save enough to help them with uni fees, I’ll have to defer a year. Ouch!’ Lizzie cries out, as one of the buttons on her shirt catches on her top bun. ‘A little help here?’

   ‘You’re such a dork.’ Jamilla laughs as she rises to her knees and reaches out to help. ‘Next time try undoing the buttons.’

   ‘Only dorks say dork anymore.’ Lizzie, free from the shirt, hugs her best friend since pre-school, before pushing her back onto the bed. ‘Ya dork.

   ‘I feel a bit sick to be honest. Don’t know what I was thinking. What do I know about fine dining?’ Lizzie throws herself onto the bed.

   ‘You were thinking about being around gorgeous Jamie Green. You’ve been crushing on him since year ten.’ Jamilla nudges Lizzie’s bottom with her foot.

   Lizzie sighs. ‘He is gorgeous, isn’t he? If only he wasn’t dating stupid Mel.’

   ‘You’d what? Stop being such a chicken and finally tell him how you feel?’ Jamilla sits up and smiles at her.

   ‘Well … maybe … yes.’ Lizzie turns on her side. She looks up at Jamilla. ‘Yes I would. If he were single.’

Jamilla’s smile turns to a grin. ‘Well, now you have your chance, he broke up with Mel two weeks ago. She’s dating Ben Collins.’

   ‘What?! How do I not know this?’ She reaches out and grabs Jamilla’s legs.

   ‘Because you’re always studying. If you took your head out of your books once in a while, you’d see the way Jamie looks at you during Math class.’ Jamilla pushes her hands away.

   ‘He does not!’ Lizzie blushes. ‘Does he?’ Her eyes plead with Jamilla to tell her the thruth.

   ‘You know it,’ Jamilla assures her.

   ‘Lizzie! Time to go,’ Lizzie’s mum calls out.

   ‘Oh no. I think I’m gonna vomit.’ Lizzie places a hand over her mouth.

   ‘Stop being dramatic.’ Jamilla pulls her up from the bed. ‘I’ll come with you, your Mum can drop me at the corner on her way back.’ Jamilla places a comforting arm over Lizzie’s shoulders. ‘We can plan what you’re going to say to Jamie.’

***

‘Got all that?’ The restaurant manager asks Lizzie.

   ‘Sure. Yeah. Not really. No.’ Lizzie replies, her head swimming with rules.

   Spoons before forks.

   Forks before knives.

   Knives face inwards.

   Serve dishes from the left.

   Take dishes from the right.

   Or was it serve from the right and take from the left? Lizzie had no idea it would be this complicated. She looks down at the table setting before her. What was I thinking. I can’t do this.

   ‘Don’t worry. I’ll be here to help and you know Jamie, right? Didn’t you go to the same school?’

   ‘Um, yeah.’ Lizzie tucks a loose strand of hair behind her left ear. ‘I mean, yes. We went to Padua. Had some classes together.’

   ‘Great. Jamie’s brilliant. The customers love him.’

   I bet they do. Lizzie risks a glance at Jamie. He’s taking drink orders from a group of ten on table three and is laughing at something one of men says. She sighs. He really is gorgeous.

   ‘Excuse me!’ A customer calls out.

   ‘Okay, that’s your signal. Go over and see what he needs.’ The manager nods towards table eight.

   ‘Sure.’ Shit. I hope it’s something easy, Lizzie mutters to herself, her stomach churns as she walks towards them.

***

‘No. I ordered the lamb, my wife ordered the fish and the wine we chose was the Pinot Noir not the Pinot Grigio.’ The man hands his menu to Lizzie. She sees him roll his eyes at his wife.

   ‘Right. I’m sorry, sir. I’ve got it all now. Your meals won’t be long.’ She presses send on her keypad, knowing the order will now print out in the kitchen, just as she entered it. I hope I got it right.

   ‘You okay?’ Jamie asks Lizzie, as she joins him by the bar. From here they can monitor their tables and sneak a drink. Table service is thirsty work.

   ‘Fine. Misheard his order. He talks too fast.’ Lizzie takes a long drink of her water. ‘It’s so busy tonight. I thought last week was crazy, this week’s worse. There are lots of great restaurants on the Peninsula so why does it feel everyone is eating here tonight?’

   ‘Don’t worry, you’ll get used to it.’

   Jamie’s cheerful reply soothes Lizzie’s frazzled nerves. She could stare into his eyes all night. Do you think he knows?

   Jamie nods towards table five. ‘This is the second time that family has been in this week, and its only Thursday.’

    ‘Be nice though.’ Lizzie puts her glass back behind the counter and leans against the bar.

   ‘What would?’ Jamie asks.

   ‘Being able to afford to eat out every week, especially as a family. I can’t remember the last time my family went out for dinner and I don’t think we’ve ever been to a place as nice as this.’ Lizzie does a quick scan of her tables; checking to make sure no one needs her.

   ‘From what I hear, you don’t have to go out ‘cause your dad’s an awesome cook. Trained as a chef did he?’ Jamie finishes his drink.

   ‘No. But he does watch a lot of cooking shows and he’s always making up new dishes. You should come over for dinner some time. He loves showing off for my friends.’ Lizzie immediately wishes she could suck the words back in. Her cheeks flush with heat.

   ‘I didn’t—.’

   ‘So, we’re friends now.’ Jamie gives her a shoulder bump. ‘Cool. Let’s check the roster and see when we’re both off next.’

   The service bell dings and they look towards the pass. ‘Back we go.’ Jamie says. He smiles at Lizzie before turning away. The rest of the shift is a blur to Lizzie. When her mum picks her up, she’s grateful she made it through the night without spilling anyone’s meal in their lap.

***

‘Mick! Table six needs their drinks order asap, a big announcement coming apparently. And the Morris’ have arrived, can you get their special reserve bottle ready.’ Lizzie calls out to the bartender as she rushes past.

   ‘When did you get so bossy? Think I liked you better when you were all nervous and mousy,’ Mick replies.

   ‘I was never mousy.’ Lizzie removes hair from her face with a flick of her head and keeps walking. ‘Here you go. This will keep her busy.’ Lizzie hands the mother on table seven a paper bag. Lizzie can’t help but judge the parental decision to bring, what she guesses is a five or six-year-old, to a fine dining restaurant and expect her to sit quietly. What were they thinking?

    The mother extracts the bag’s contents. ‘Wow! This is great. Usually it’s a printed picture and a few blunt pencils. We may even get to enjoy dessert tonight. Have you seen this, Luke?’ she asks her husband, who is hastily trying to remove cutlery out of their daughter’s reach.

   ‘Thanks, Mrs Kennedy. They’re proving to be popular.’ Lizzie smiles. The packs were her idea, after having to manoeuvre around free-ranging children for the last three weeks, she decided she needed to do something. Using her burgeoning graphic art skills, Lizzie created entertainment packs for children of all ages. Tonight is the first night the packs are on offer and three have been handed out already.

   ‘I’ll take five of them,’ Mrs Kennedy says.

   ‘Five? Of the packs?’ Lizzie looks across at the box of packs at the bar and back at Mrs Kennedy. ‘They’re not for sale. They’re for our diners.’

   ‘When it comes business, Lizzie, everything has a price. Speak to your boss.’

***

   ‘Gosh. That was full-on. My feet are killing me.’ Lizzie is sitting at the bar, sipping mineral water whilst willing the feeling to return to her feet.

   ‘Private functions can be hectic. You did great though.’ Jamie places a hand on her back. ‘You were rocking it by the end of shift.’

    ‘I don’t know how the chefs do it. The dishes never stopped coming out. It’s a rush trying to keep up with it all.’ Despite the ache in her feet, Lizzie feels energised.

   Jamie takes a seat at the bar beside her. ‘I hear your packs are selling well. That’s pretty cool.’

   ‘I know, right? After Mrs Kennedy bought some, Sandra began selling them for ten dollars. She’s ordered another twenty this week.’ Lizzie wipes the cold glass across her forehead. ‘I’m so hot.’

   ‘Hope she offered you a cut.’ Jamie reaches over the bar and pours himself a lemonade.

   ‘No, but she has paid for some supplies.’ Lizzie turns to Jamie. ‘I didn’t think to ask. Should I?’

   ‘Hell yeah. You’ve got to back yourself. Your graphic skills are awesome. And so are you.’ Jamie quickly takes a sip of his drink but fails to hide the blush on his cheeks.

   ‘What’s that?’ Lizzie’s head is spinning. Did he say I’m awesome?

   ‘We’re closing up,’ Sandra calls out.

   Jamie steps down from the bar stool. ‘Come on. I’ll give you a lift home. We can make that date for me to come for dinner. I’m dying to try your dad’s cooking.’ Jamie holds his hand out for Lizzie.

   Taking it, Lizzie feels a warm glow spread from her hand and travel up her arm. Could he like me too?

   ‘Good night you two, you did great.’ Sandra pats Jamie on the back as he walks past.

***

‘No thanks, Mr Keenan, I need to leave room for Lizzie’s mud cake. It was delicious though, my mum would’ve loved it.’ Jamie starts collecting plates from the table.

   ‘Does your mum enjoy cooking?’ Lizzie’s mum asks, as she too starts clearing the table.

   ‘When she has the time for it. Curries are her favourite, the hotter the better. She can spend all day making a curry from scratch.’ Jamie starts stacking the dinner dishes in the dishwasher.

   ‘You don’t have to do that.’ Lizzie remarks, as she gets the cake and its accompaniments ready for serving.

   ‘I don’t mind,’ Jamie replies good naturedly.

   ‘Have you tried one of Jamie’s mum’s curries, Lizzie?’ her dad asks.

   ‘No,’ Lizzie replies.

   ‘Not yet,’ adds Jamie. ‘She’ll be making one this Sunday, our neighbours are coming for lunch.’ He looks at Lizzie. ‘You should come over, hang out with us for the day. The Tuckers are awesome. You’ll like them. They’re here every summer. Our two families hang out all the time. My sister, Charlie, has been dating their son, Nathan, for two years. Mum’s already making wedding plans with Mrs Tucker.’

   ‘Sure, sounds fun.’ Lizzie lowers her head to hide her blush, missing the knowing look exchanged between her parents.

***

 ‘Come on, Lizzie, the day’s half over.’ Jamilla places her hands on Lizzie’s shoulders and gives her a gentle shake. ‘You’ve been at those for hours. It’s supposed to be your day off.’

   ‘Just a few more minutes. I’m nearly done.’ Lizzie remains focused on the monitor. Her hand directs the cursor around the screen.

   ‘That’s what you said an hour ago.’ Jamilla picks up her bag. ‘I’m going to get the bus.’

   ‘Wait! One more … there. Done! Lizzie spins her chair around. ‘Let’s get out of here.’

   ‘About time.’ Jamilla drags Lizzie from the room. ‘If we run we can catch the ten past bus. Come on.’

   ‘I’m coming.’ Lizzie runs after Jamilla. ‘Bye, Mum!’ she calls out.

 

Safely seated on the bus the two friends take a moment to catch their breath. ‘Phew. That was close.’ Lizzie says.

   ‘Very. Now remind me again what that was all about?’ Jamilla pulls her lip gloss out of her bag and applies a fresh layer to her lips.

   ‘That was more money for uni. One of the diners at the restaurant liked my packs and asked me to do twenty for her daughter’s birthday party. She’s paying me three hundred bucks.’

   ‘Wow! That’s cool but you need to have fun this summer too. Between the restaurant and your design stuff you’re always working.’ Jamilla places the lip gloss back in her bag.

   ‘No I’m not,’ Lizzie says, though she knows Jamilla’s right. She wants to earn enough money to take the pressure off her parents and she likes working, especially at the restaurant, where she gets to spend time with Jamie.

   ‘I know that look. You’re thinking about Jamie, again.’

   ‘No I’m not.’ She blushes and pushes Jamilla gently. ‘He’s just so …’

   ‘I know. I know. He’s so gorgeous.’ Jamilla rolls her eyes. ‘Have you kissed him yet?’

   ‘No. He hasn’t made a move and I’m way too shy to do it.’

   ‘Summer’s almost over. You better do something soon or you’ll be heading off to uni and he’ll be here, single and looking gorgeous.’

   ‘He’s coming over before work tomorrow. He’s going to give me a lift in.’ She rests her head on Jamilla’s shoulder.

   ‘Well there’s your chance. Kiss him already.’ Jamilla lowers her voice. ‘He’d be mad not to want you. You’re the best.’

   ‘Aww. I didn’t know you felt that way about me.’ Lizzie laughs and reaches up to kiss Jamilla.

   ‘Get off me.’ Jamilla, laughing too, pushes Lizzie’s face away. ‘I am way to cool for a dork like you.’

***

‘Thanks Mrs Kennedy. Sounds amazing. I’m sure I can make it all work. I’ll see you next week.’ Lizzie places her phone in her lap.

   ‘Who was that?’ Jamie asks.

   ‘A customer from the restaurant. The one who first bought the entertainment packs. Remember? I’ve been flat out trying to keep up with demand the last couple of weeks.’ Lizzie twists around on the couch towards Nathan and tucks one leg under the other.

   ‘Yeah, I remember. You were so excited when they started selling.’ Jamie places a hand on Lizzie’s thigh. 

   ‘Mrs Kennedy owns a marketing business and has offered me a casual job, as a graphic artist. Said I can work from home or at their office. That I can work around my uni classes, do as many hours as I can fit in. She said I can go part-time when I’m ready, if I can make it all work.’ Lizzie pauses to catch her breath.

   ‘That’s amazing. Congrats. Look at you go.’ He rubs her thigh.

   ‘I remember being scared and stressed at the end of the school year. Not knowing if I could afford to go to uni and starting at the restaurant. Thought I was in way over my head. Now I have two jobs and won’t have to defer.’ Lizzie is buzzing with excitement.

   ‘And a boyfriend?’ Jamie leans towards her.

   ‘A what? Oh.’ Lizzie looks at Jamie. She bites down on her bottom lip.

   Jamie leans in closer and gently presses his lips to hers.

   She puts her arms around his neck. This day could not get any better. ‘And a boyfriend.’ She whispers in his ear. They kiss again.

   Best.

   Summer.

   Ever.