The lady in front of them sighed heavily, smacking the cardboard cup down on the counter with an audible tap. “Excuse me. This is not what I asked for.”
The barista stopped what she was doing and straightened her spine. She inclined her chin and looked the lady in the eyes for a moment longer than she should have before tapping the screen to print the order ticket. “I have the order right here, see it says…”
The woman stepped back, too close to Carly and Julie, crossed her arms and shook her head side to side. Strands of her long blond hair shivered like golden tinsel. “Look, I don’t care what it says. I know what I ordered. May I please have it the way I asked?” She asked the question with edgy condescension.
The barista shrugged, then looked down to the touchscreen. “Fine. Can you repeat the order?” As the lady went through lengthy details for a single cup of coffee, the barista tapped the screen with a force that inclined one to believe she was about to commit monitor-cide with one finger.
The strong smell of ground coffee and sweet confections began to drive the others mad as she droned on about the details of her order. That was when Julie noticed it. But she was torn away from her observation as people behind them huffed and made comments.
‘Why only one girl?’
‘What is her deal?’
“Come oooonnn.”
Doing her best not to join in, Julie glanced at Carly.
“Great.” Carly whispered. “Looks like getting a cuppa is gonna be a process today.”
Julie shifted in her step, lost in thought. “Yea, but…” Before she could finish, the pretentious customer in front gave a sarcastic “thank you,” didn’t tip, and strolled off heels clicking, fake Gucci bag dangling from her elbow. All she needed was a small dog on a rhinestone studded leash to complete the image.
Carly stepped up to the counter with a deadpan gaze and smirked. “Short staffed today hon?”
Clenching her jaw, the barista stood silent for a moment as she pulled in a shallow breath, and nodded. Rubbing shaky fingers over the soft flesh between her thumb and finger of her left hand, she clenched her jaw but managed a tight smile. “Can I take your order? “
“I’ll keep it simple for you hon.” As Carly gave her order, Julie noticed the clipped motions at the touch screen, eyes a little too wet. If she didn’t step in, this girl might crack right here.
When the barista stepped away to make the order, Julie leaned in to whisper. “Take it easy Carly, she looks like she’s having a bad day.”
Carly pulled her thick frame glasses down and looked over the rims with narrow eyes, as if she was about to impart some deep wisdom. “Look at her. Angry, clothes wrinkled, dark circles under her eyes. Probably stayed out too late last night.” She turned her head, hair flipping over her shoulder before delivering the final blow a little too loud. “I have no sympathy.”
Julie crossed her arms and tapped a finger on her elbow. “You may be right, but did you see the small bruises her hand?”
Carly gave her a side glance, tilting one side of her mouth. “No. I did not. But…”
Before Carly could continue, the barista returned with her order. Julie stepped up and laid a hand on Carly’s elbow. “Can I treat?”
“Sure.” Carly rolled her eyes and flipped her hand before stepping aside.
Julie turned to the barista, loud enough for Carly to hear. “Baby keep you up all night? Teething right?”
The barista swallowed a dry breath, then froze, mouth partly open. Unconsciously, her fingers went back to the curved group of tiny bruises on her left hand. “How did you know?”
“The small bruises you’re rubbing. Lovely little buggers can bite if your not paying attention.”
“Had me up all night.” They shared a laugh as Julie ordered her matcha soy latte.
“I’ll have to run to the back for a fresh carton of the soy milk.” The barista gave her a brief smile before scampering off, moving just a little easier than before.
She turned to Carly who was standing motionless, eyebrows raised, eyes bulging. “How did you see that? She asked.
“Not too difficult if you’re looking without jumping to conclusions.” Julie replied.
“That would explain the wrinkled clothes and tired expression. She isn’t rude, she’s a new mother.” Carly exclaimed, loud enough for the people in line to hear.
Julie nodded, hearing soft murmurs from the people in line. The barista returned with the fresh soy milk to finish the order. Julie paid and Carly pushed a 20 into the tip jar as she gave the barista a quick nod and a small smile. “I’m a mother too but mine have been out of diapers for a while.”
The barista chuckled. “Lucky you.”
Carly and Julie took seats at a nearby hightop to examine their phones. As the line progressed, Julie picked up on the conversations that ensued, filled with kind greetings and thank-yous. By the time Carly and Julie finished, the barista’s tip jar was filled with 20s.
As they left, Julie could see the barista rubbing her hand again, but this time with a far away smile and a sense of calm.