Ema

I quietly take a deep breath. Oooza Ema, Ooza. Just imagine the stress this woman must be under, raising kids is hard, even someone born with a silver spoon…NO Ema no judging.

"so little brat get me… a manager…. NOW!" The woman shrieked.

I continue to smile as I take this opportunity to talk. "I sincerely apologize, that must have been a very uncomfortable experience."

"Listen.." the woman started to cut me off.

"No," I say slightly raising my voice and buffing up my chest "Ma'am I have heard more than enough…" she tries to cut me off again "I am now going to go solve the problem." I turn to see who can assist ignoring the woman screaming. I wave down Taiwana.

"Yes Boss."

The word refreshes my broken ego. But I don't let it distract me.

"Take a bus boy and knock on the bathroom door please. Don't go inside, just knock. If anyone asks just say that you were checking no one was in there so that the bus boy can clean it."

"Not a problem." With that she made a Z line to the bathroom, dragging poor Subaru with her.

I turn to the true problem of the day. She is red, and at this point I just want to laugh and kick her out. Should I kick her? I know I can, with all the fuss she has created for what I know is a misunderstanding.

"Listen idiot I have been more than patient with you. As a valued customer of this restaurant, I demand to get the service that I deserve."

"No Ma'am what our valued customers deserve is for you to be kicked out. So, you can either calm down or I can get you a carry out box, choice is yours."

"Oh you little piece of (censored)! I will have you fired immediately!"

"Fire the owner?" I say pointing at my badge for the fifth time today. "Nice, have fun with that." I turn and signal for a to-go-box and crayons. "Now will I need to be calling the authorities as well?" I ask as kindly as I can.

She scuffs "You wouldn't dare."

I pick up the phone "I will take that as a yes." I start dialing when she gets up and storms off. Then I look at her plate again and the most expensive plate on the menu more than half eaten and continue to call, when my dad stops me.

"When did you notice it was a dine and dash." I say putting the phone away.

"Oh long time ago," with that he discreetly guides me away from the crowd "and I think you handled that fairly well but..."

"But.."

"There is areas that can be improved."

"Of course." I say with a smile and try not to meditate on the fact that he did not come in to help me when I was being chewed apart. And why will he, I am a grown woman, I got this. I don't need to cry.

"You ok there champ?"

"Yes, of course." I say and force a smile. Don't cry. "Why wouldn't I be?"

I follow my dad outside and see that they have her in handcuffs and yet again I feel terrible for the kids. We get everything sorted out and I try to make a little a scene as possible. The big gruff officers squeeze my shoulder before leaving and I feel a little relief as they leave.

With that my father takes me to the office and bring out the big book as I call it and goes to the irate customer section. We go over alternate scenarios that would have been better and a part of me just wants to yell and throw a tantrum. But I don't I just suck it in and smile, like I always do.

Afterword's I go to the kitchen and find Taiwana flirting with the kitchen staff. I cough to catch her attention.

"Ye..yes maam."

"So what happened in the bathroom?" I say grabbing a cup and start adding ice cream. This is how stress fattens you.

"Oh, yeah, there was like no one there other than the ghos..I mean Ms. Elenore."

I close my eyes savoring the vanilla ice cream and recalling the very skinny elderly lady that comes to eat here everyday for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Oh wait, I play with a spoon for a bit, then open my eyes.

"She wears men's clothing doesn't she?"

"Yup."

"Ahh, that's why the customer said there was a man in the bathroom. Well at least everything was resolved."

Taiwana stares at me. "Girl, why are you here?"

I look at her confused and put down my ice cream cup. "Because Ice Cream makes me happy."

"Ok eat as much as you want, but like that right over there was cray cray and you need to go home and watch some anime or something."

I don't even try to hold back a laughter. "Tai you know I don't like anime." With that I playfully punch her shoulder.

She laughs and leaves through the side door and goes toward the left where the general public is. Walking straight would take you to the bathroom and right to the office. I on the other hand go through the main door that takes you directly to the public. Upon exiting there is a POS system on your right and the bar on your left. In the center there is tables while the border of the restaurant has booths. All tables are made of metal and the chairs and booths are black with red cushion.

I look around and admire the peace of the restaurant. The place is surrounded by windows that cast a welcoming light to the place. Then at the walls, the walls that are painted with elegant Japanese woman in 1970's Western clothing holding Japanese traditional folding fans. They look so pretty, I always admired them.

"They look really nice" A voice says "who drew them?"

I turn to look at Nakatsu, good looking muscular….ah no! Focus child focus.

"Wow my friend…" I say noticing that his shirt is drenched in sweat "Let me get you some water."

"Oh no no no. Its ok," he manages to stop me "Ive had plenty of that. I was just hoping, if you don't mind of course, for something to eat?"

"Ah! Of course, just tell me because I have to put it in our system." I say going to the computer. Im not feeling a little sad that he didn't approach me just to talk to me. Nope that would be sappy teenage behavior and I am a grown independent woman…that talks to herself and has zero sex appeal.

"Ok so, what would it be?"

Nakatsu has a worried look on his face and just scratches his head before sighing as if this is the most difficult choice he has ever made in his life.

"Well…you see….I don't..ugh…is.."

"Yes?"

"You wouldn't happen to be available to eat with me?"

"Me? Why?"

"I…really hate eating alone." He looks down ashamed. "I sound pathetic, don't I?" He asks without lifting his head.

I look at him puzzled. He peeks up to look at me and my heart just….omg….he is so…

"You know what? That's actually a very good idea, I haven't had lunch yet."

"Lunch?! Girl its 4 in the afternoon!"

I laugh "Ok you haven't chosen anything, so I am ordering for you."

"And I was told I didn't have to pay so you can give me kitchen scraps for all I care."

I click my tongue "Darn we are fresh out of scraps, nothing for you I guess."

"No." He whines then laughs.

A nice warm deep laugh. Laughter is good, right? Can this be considered flirting? Am I flirting with a hot guy. OMG why isn't there a manual for this!?

Funny thing is I have no idea if that's flirting. Also that whole scene with the customer was..? ok? Zero leadership skills here so comment if you would have done it differently.