When Krystal walked into the bistro she was pleased to see that Marissa had everything running smoothly. She was back a little later than she planned and the lunch time rush was in full swing.
It took her a moment to realise something was a little off when Opal emerged from the kitchen with a notepad, wasn't it her day off?
Then there was a loud crash of smashing crockery and she spotted a mortified Bianca Montgomery behind the bar at the coffee machine. She had just dropped a tray of mugs.
And then someone she didn't recognise, who was wearing her best apron, came and greeted her at the door.
What was going on?
…
"Mom." cried Marissa, stepping in before Camilla tried to show her mother to a table. Instead she sent her over to help Bianca clear up behind the bar.
"Explain." said Krystal slowly, a confused frown on her face.
"Well my first day kind of got off to a bad start" said Marissa with a sigh. "The waiting staff were a no show. Greg is in hospital and Valerie has jumped ship, literally, to the yacht club, so that left only me and the kitchen staff. Thankfully, with a bit of help, we have a system now. Camilla is greeting customers and clearing tables, I'm serving, Opal is taking orders and Bianca is doing the hot beverages."
"I see, but who is Camilla?"
"She's Bianca's cousin's girlfriend. She's been an incredible help…" said Marissa, a nervous smile appearing on her face. "I kind of offered her a job."
"You did?"
"Well you said in your absence I was you, and she was looking… and Valerie had quit…"
"I'm sure it's fine for today. But legally I will have to interview her to make it official."
"Sure… sorry, I was just so desperate. I guess I'm proving that I'm not really management material. It all went horribly wrong and I just couldn't cope."
"Nonsense, you have coped admirably."
"Yeah cause I had help."
"Sweetie what do you think a manger is. You make a plan, you lead a team! You did good Marissa! We're still open, we're still full. You did all this, and on your first day too. That is excellent!"
Krystal put an arm around her daughters shoulder.
"I've got a restaurant full of happy customers, what more do I need to see."
…
"We did it!" exclaimed Marissa as she wearily clambered onto a bar stool, glad to be off her feet at last. "We got through the lunchtime rush!"
Bianca, who was still behind the bar, grinned briefly back.
"Tell Krystal, I'm sorry, I'll pay for all the damages." she said with a guilty look on her face. "I feel like such a klutz dropping that tray."
As Bianca came out from behind the counter to sit beside Marissa, she was swinging herself awkwardly on her crutches. Marissa looked down at Bianca's bad leg. She cursed herself for not realising sooner. If her legs were tired, how must Bianca feel; she had been on her feet for over an hour.
"Are you alright?" Marissa asked. "I shouldn't have left you standing up all that time."
"I'm fine." said Bianca.
Marissa looked at her sternly.
"No lies."
"I will be fine." corrected Bianca. "The doctors will fix me up and I'll be back to hopping around like normal before you know it."
Marissa remembered their conversation that morning.
"You haven't missed your hospital appointment have you?"
They both turned towards the clock.
"I've got… Oh… a couple of minutes." said Bianca. She hadn't realised how late it was. "I booked a cab. It's probably waiting. I need to make a move."
"But you didn't eat." protested Marissa, realising Bianca had come in for lunch and then hadn't stopped. Marissa felt like a bad girlfriend. "…which also means you didn't take your pills! Bianca, you need to look after yourself."
"I'll grab something on the way."
"Already sorted." said Krystal putting a doggy bag on counter in front of Bianca. "…For all your help. It's Opal's extra special chicken salad."
"My favourite." said Bianca with a grin. "And I'm really sorry about the tray."
"Breakages are part of the business." said Krystal. "Thanks for coming to Marissa's aid!"
"It was my pleasure." said Bianca
She turned back to Marissa.
"Okay, now there is no need to worry. I'll eat this on the way to the hospital and take my medicine at the same time."
"Just make sure you do." said Marissa scolding her gently.
Bianca grinned, she liked protective Marissa.
"I will."
As Bianca got up to put the bag of chicken salad in her purse Marissa noticed her movements were oddly stiff.
Marissa sighed and moved to pull her close.
"Call me if there is even the slightest thing." she said as she gazed lovingly up at her girlfriend.
"I will." said Bianca, the same adoring look in her eyes.
She gave Marissa a quick peck in the lips.
"Oh and one last thing." said Bianca a beaming smile on her face. "I wanted to tell you earlier but the coffee crisis got in the way. I called the moving company this morning. How does next Saturday sound?"
"Saturday?" said Marissa with a huge grin. "We could be in our house by Saturday!"
She wrapped her arms around Bianca with an excited squeal and hugged her tight. Bianca hugged back one handed, the other gripping her crutch. They stayed in the embrace for a moment but Bianca reluctantly extracted herself.
"We'll talk more tonight but now I really need to catch my cab!" she said with a light laugh.
But she stopped just long enough to kiss on Marissa gently one last time.
…