Plus One. How to Catch a Cloud - vii

She was trying out new recipes in the kitchen, when she heard dishware drop somewhere on the diner's floor. The new waitress she had hired was proving to be a big klutz, but Ara was desperate for the help. What could she do? Freddie was the only one who applied for the job.

Aside from being a full-time waitress herself, Ara was involved with the business and kitchen decisions before they were passed off to the owners for final approval.

The owners were a pleasant married couple who had since retired from making the meals themselves to letting one of their younger workers take over. The restaurant had grown to be a staple in the neighborhood - so much so, there were loyal patrons who didn't mind being guinea pigs; willing to test out any recipe Ara conjured.

Wiping her hands on her apron, she walked towards the kitchen doors to peep out. A very distressed Freddie was trying to clean up the mess as understanding customers shook their heads in commiseration.

"Freddie, have you taken everyone's orders yet?" Ara asked as she walked past the counters to see what she could do to help.
"Yeah, I have. The last order you cooked up..." Freddie's eyes wouldn't look up from the floor.
"Freddie, look at me."
She did.
"Chin up. It's not the end of the world. Just tidy up and move on, got it?" Ara smiled as the relief of not getting 'the sack' flashed over Freddie's face.
"I'll go back and cook the meal again. Oh and Freddie, make sure to offer the customer a free appetizer while they wait for their order. You're good?"
"Yeah. Thanks Ara," replied the smiling, teary-eyed Freddie.
"Don't worry about it anymore," she said before turning to walk back into the kitchen.

She was no stranger to accidents. When she first started, she had mixed up orders here and there. Her only consolation was that the customers were old-timers and didn't complain one bit. Often times, they wouldn't make it known she made a mistake - she only found out about this when she turned around once to find them switching plates. Such lovely souls.

Ara finished the dish and hand delivered it to the customer Freddie pointed out.
"Reminds me of the time you forgot to charge me for extra bacon when you first started here," the middle-aged man reminisced.
She laughed, "Yeah. Jan was so good to me."
"And it did you good. You treated that new lady quite well; just like Jan. You'll do mighty fine if this diner ends up in your hands. You've come far, Ara! I hope you realize it," he smiled kindly as she smiled at him with an appreciative smile. Her eyes welled up and she excused herself.

Just in time too, Kyle began his shift which gave her time to rest in her makeshift office. It used to be an apartment the owners had up a small case of stairs. Now it was used as an office to file away important documents.

Ara plopped into the desk chair and closed her eyes for what felt like one whole minute before her cell phone rang. Rummaging through her handbag she answered without looking at the call display.

"Hello?"
"Hi Ara, it's Charlie."
"Hey," she replied, noting how distant his voice sounded.
"I just wanted to tell you that I have everything crossed off my part of the list."
Wow, she thought. Ara was astonished at how Charlie lost no time at all with his duties as Best Man.
"That's awesome! So you have your suit picked out and everything? And made sure it match-"
"I didn't have the suit on my list. I had your Maid of Honor dress on my list."
There he was being distant again, she thought.
Wait, what did he say?!
"No way!"
"Check your half," he challenged.

She rummaged through her bag, again. Since when did she collect useless receipts and old candy wrappers? Ah! Here it was...

* Best Man apparel - $250 Budget

"NOOO WAY! Why didn't you just buy the suit and tell me to buy my dress?"
"Hey! I just followed the list you shoved in my hand! Independent projects remember?!"
"You cheeky son of a-"
"Are you doubting my ability to pick out a Maid of Honor dress?"
"How would I know what you'd pick out? For all I know you could have blown the whole budget on some piece of cloth that doesn't cover much skin..."
"Just wait until you see it before you judge. You better do a good job with my tux, Ara..."
"Or what?"
"Come on..."
"Don't worry, I won't choose some powder blue ruffled tux out of spite. No matter how tempting. I want my partner to look just as good as I do, you know!"
"No way you can top what I chose," he smirked.
She couldn't see it but she sure could hear it.
"Watch me," she countered.
"Anyway, have you started on your part of the list?"

Shamefully, not one item had been ticked off her list.

"No... I have a couple of appointments to do with the cake and -- oh yeah, will the Calla Lillies arrive on time?"
"Yes they will. They should arrive three days before the wedding," he answered.
"Ok great. So I'll use those for the centerpieces and have to go out and buy 12 vases and maybe translucent colored marbles for fillers. It should be a breeze."
"Ok, sounds good..."

And then suddenly, the air became uncomfortable as if their wedding planning had never happened. Maybe she imagined it, who knows.
"Ok, well. I guess that's it."
"Yeah.. I guess," she replied.
"Just let me know if Georgia adds more to the list. And if you, uh.. If you need help just give me a call," he offered.
"Ok," she answered non-committally.
"Ara..." He said gently.
"Hmm..?" She asked.
"I'm sorry," he said and disconnected the conversation.

It took him two weeks to call her up and end the conversation with saying 'Sorry'?! Apologizing when he probably wasn't clear on what had happened?!

Her head throbbed a bit more.