"Chiron, you should have let me come in earlier," Annabeth sighed as she pulled her car into her parking space. She parked her car and switched her phone from bluetooth back to the phone. Annabeth grabbed her purse and stepped out.
"You have classes," Chiron replied. "The others were able to hold the fort down, especially with it being a slow morning. Everyone who doesn't have the flu is coming in at some point today if they are not already there. I also called some back up."
"Do you want me to bartend tonight?" Annabeth questioned as she walked towards the front door.
"I want you to run the bar. Fill in whatever holes you can," Chiron answered. Annabeth stopped in shock and stared ahead. "Annabeth. Can you do that?"
"Of course," Annabeth promised. A huge grin came to her face. "I can. I promise."
"I know you can," Chiron agreed. He sniffled and cleared his throat. "If you have to shut the bar down early, I understand."
"We'll be fine, Chiron," Annabeth promised. "Try to get some soup in you. I'll text you with updates. Make sure to get some rest too."
"I will get rest and eat some soup," Chiron assured. Annabeth smiled and hung up. She glanced at the bar and saw that there wasn't a crowd forming yet. They had maybe thirty minutes before the rush came. It would be just enough time to get everyone settled.
Annabeth took a deep breath. Chiron ran the bar, and they didn't have an official manager. They were lucky enough to know what each other was doing, and if there were any problems, they usually let Clarisse deal without it. She usually intimidated everyone to fall into line.
If the position for a manager opened, Annabeth wanted it. She liked to think that she was first in line, but there was also Jason. He was pretty good at his job, not to mention there could also be an outside hire. As Annabeth stepped into the bar, she took a few moments to examine everything.
Her attention was directed towards the bar counter. Standing behind it was the biggest surprise. Reyna handed two beers off to a customer. There was a neutral look on her face, but as the customer turned their back, it turned into a small frown. Reyna was wearing the jacket that Clarisse had given her, which only added to the fact that she looked out of her depth behind the bar.
Annabeth turned her gaze to the side and saw Piper serving a table. She nodded towards Piper and then made her way towards the bar counter. Annabeth looked at Reyna, "Hey, how is it going?"
"Trying to figure out what the hell Sex on the Beach is," Reyna muttered as she turned to clean glasses. A glance behind the bar showed a mess of discarded ingredients and dirty glasses. It looked like Reyna had been practicing making drinks, and practice had not gone well.
"Vodka, orange juice, cranberry juice, and peach schnapps," Annabeth replied.
"What the fuck is a peach schnapp?" Reyna voiced her visible confusion. Annabeth hid her smile as she pointed out the bottle. Reyna closed her eyes and hung her head. She let out a frustrated noise.
"You survived so far, "Annabeth said gently. "Who else was here today?"
"Me, Piper, and Jason," Reyna replied. She rubbed her forehead tiredly before looking around. Her shoulders drooped again. "I made a mess back here. Sorry."
"Hey, you're fine," Annabeth promised. "Being behind the bar isn't easy. How has it been with just the three of you?"
"It's been okay, I guess. I can make a few drinks now, and Piper hasn't insulted me in the last hour." Reyna muttered. She lowered the glass that she had been cleaning and then looked at Annabeth. It seemed like she realized who she was talking to, and her shoulders drooped. "It's nothing."
"Piper's my friend, but if she isn't treating you right, I need to know," Annabeth said gently. Reyna shook her head. "I'm serious, Reyna."
"I think we're all just stressed out," Reyna decided with a shrug. "It's been a long day."
"Have you taken a break yet?" Annabeth questioned. Reyna shook her head. "Has anyone had a break yet?"
"No. We haven't had a chance," Reyna replied. She leaned against the bar counter and looked at Annabeth. "Jason probably needs it the most. He's been making breakfast nonstop."
"Oh no. Jason cannot be in the kitchen. Let me get things settled here, and we'll figure out the breaks," Annabeth promised. She walked away from the bar and towards the kitchen. Upon stepping inside, her eyes widened.
The kitchen was a mess. The once pristine counters were covered in eggshells, not to mention all the eggs were on the ground. Egg cartons were littered around the floor, and she counted about ten different pans that were dirty. Jason had his earbuds in as he cracked more eggs into a frying pan.
Annabeth walked towards him and pulled the earbud out. Jason jumped as he turned to look at her in surprise. Annabeth spoke, "You know that I love you, Jason. But, we are not just having eggs all night for dinner. We're going to get someone back here who can actually cook."
"I can cook," Jason argued.
"You can't even hit the pan," Annabeth countered as she swept her hand like she was showing off the mess. Jason rolled his eyes, but a smile came to his face. "Thanks for covering this, but we're going to need someone who can cook dinner. We also need our best waiter out there. After you take a break."
"Reyna or Piper can take one first," Jason said with a wave of his hand.
"You are going to take your break and then take over for Piper. She'll then take over for Reyna. Please do not argue," Annabeth said in a half pleading tone. Jason sighed and took his other earbud out. "Get food from across the street for the three of you. When you get back, your thirty minute break will start. I'll also reimburse the cost for you."
"I will," Jason relented as he raised his hands. "Should I clean up back here first?"
"Quickly," Annabeth replied. She turned and walked out of the kitchen. Her gaze moved towards Piper and then Reyna. Piper was finishing with her table and carrying empty plates towards the kitchen. Annabeth made eye contact with her. "Everything good?"
"Just insanely busy," Piper answered. "I accidentally insulted Reyna, and she's been even more quiet than normal. It was really awkward trying to teach her how to make drinks. I think she could actually be a good bartender if she learns how to string two sentences together."
"Piper," Annabeth warned as they stepped into the kitchen. Piper placed the plates into the sink. "I don't have time for this right now. Just try to be nicer to Reyna. I know you're upset and blame her for what happened to Jason. We'll have to unpack that later, but I need a cook."
"I can cook," Piper offered. Annabeth shook her head. "You're here to help at the bar. That was the only reason Jason was in the kitchen."
"We can just close the kitchen for the night," Annabeth began.
"And take that hit on the sales?" Piper questioned. Annabeth frowned and nodded her agreement. "I might not like to eat meat, but it's not hard to make a burger. I also know a really good recipe that my dad's personal cook makes for him."
"Okay. Burger night. Burgers and beer are good. Can you see if we have the ingredients for it? If not, make me a list and I will go get it," Annabeth offered.
"I'll make a list. Who is going to bartend with you? Reyna has to watch the door," Piper began.
"If we can't get someone to watch the doors, we'll have Jason ID them at the hostess stand," Annabeth answered. "Reyna and I will bartend if we can't find anyone else."
"Update me on your tables, and I'll have you check out the kitchen," Annabeth said. She heard the front door open and turned her head. A smile came to her face as two familiar faces walked in.
"I heard that you needed backup," Thalia began with a grin. She shrugged off her coat and then looked around. "We are here for the rescue."
Zoë followed behind Thalia, and she rolled her eyes. Annabeth made eye contact with her, and a small smile touched Zoë's lips. The two walked towards her. Annabeth felt a wave of relief pass through her. Two more bodies was great.
"I know Thalia doesn't bartend. Do you Zoë?" Annabeth questioned. The woman in question shook her head. "Piper has the kitchen covered, and I'm going to be behind the bar with Reyna. She probably has the most experience bartending out of everyone who will be here today."
"I thought she was security. How long has she been bartending for?" Thalia questioned.
"Since this morning," Annabeth said with a small smile. She looked at Zoë. "Are you okay to watch the door? ID everyone before they walk in and handle anyone who might try to start a fight."
"I don't mind," Zoë confirmed. "But, it looks like you're going to need another server. Do you really want Thalia to do that?"
"You're right. Thalia can just stay in the back," Annabeth joked.
"Oh fuck off," Thalia scoffed as she rolled her eyes.
"We'll help however we can," Zoë said. "I have no problems watching the door."
"And, I can be a server. I'm not that bad. No cursing. Easy," Thalia claimed with a wave of her hand.
"Alright," Annabeth said as she looked back at the bar counter. Reyna had two customers, and there was a small frown on her face. Annabeth had about five seconds before she needed to be over there. "The menu tonight is burgers only. We haven't figured out what kind yet. Kitchen will probably be down for an hour. I'll be right back."
Annabeth didn't exactly run, but it was close to it as she made it over to the bar counter. As she did, she heard Reyna speaking, "It will be just a moment. How are you two enjoying the city?"
"It's nice. This is the place that we met, and we wanted to come back here for our anniversary," the woman explained. The man next to her had an arm wrapped around her. A small smile came to Reyna's face. Her gaze flickered down as she grabbed two glasses and seemed slightly unsure.
"How long have you been married?" Reyna asked as her eyes flickered back up. Annabeth started to step around the counter, but she hesitated. She watched as Reyna glanced back down and then started to make the drink. A small smile came to Annabeth's face.
"Five years now," the man answered. Reyna nodded and glanced back up. Her eyes quickly moved back down. Annabeth stepped around and watched as Reyna slowly made the drink. She wasn't exactly quick but at least she was engaging the customer. And even had a small smile.
"Here's to five more years," Reyna toasted as she placed the drinks on the counter. The couple took their drinks and walked away. Reyna exhaled and hung her head. Annabeth looked at her.
"Hey," Annabeth said softly. Reyna glanced at her. "That was good. Just try to smile a little more."
"That's as much as I can smile," Reyna muttered. "Any more and it hurts or has the possibility of splitting open the wound."
"In that case, you're doing great," Annabeth complimented. "Jason is going to get food for all of you and then take his break. After that, Piper will go on break. Then you. Is that okay?"
Reyna nodded. Annabeth looked behind the bar counter and saw that Reyna had mostly cleaned up. As she examined the area, someone slammed their hands on the counter next to her. Annabeth jumped and turned her head, "Percy?"
"Chiron called me and said there was an emergency at the bar. It was going to fall apart without me," Percy said with a grin. Annabeth smiled at him. "What do you need me to do, boss?"
"Floater. Piper might need help in the kitchen, and we might need another server. You cool to jump around?" Annabeth wondered as she looked around. It was all starting to come together. They may have been short-staffed, but they were doing the best they could.
"Wherever you need me. I would have got my mom to come, but she had to make sure Estelle didn't burn down Piper's mansion," Percy joked. After a moment, Annabeth realized he wasn't joking.
"Has Ma Gasket been bothering you? Piper hasn't said anything," Annabeth began.
"Everything has been good. We haven't seen her around, and Estelle hasn't mentioned anything else about seeing her. Don't worry," Percy swore. He looked around. "Cause we have enough worries here."
"We do," Annabeth agreed. She nudged. "But, we have a good crew. I think we'll make it."