{"id":311,"date":"2023-08-19T10:51:50","date_gmt":"2023-08-19T10:51:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hayestacks.com\/?page_id=311"},"modified":"2025-01-02T12:21:00","modified_gmt":"2025-01-02T12:21:00","slug":"short-story-angry-barista","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/hayestacks.com\/index.php\/short-stories-to-read-online-for-free\/short-story-angry-barista\/","title":{"rendered":"Short Story Angry Barista"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The lady in front of them sighed heavily, smacking the cardboard cup down on the counter with an audible tap<\/em>. \u201cExcuse me. This is not<\/em> what I asked for.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. \u201cI have the order right here, see it says\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. \u201cLook, I don\u2019t care what it says. I know what I ordered. May I please have it the way I asked?\u201d she asked, with an edgy condescension.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The barista shrugged, then looked down to the touchscreen. \u201cFine. Can you repeat the order?\u201d 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Why only one girl?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“What is her deal?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Come oooonnn.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doing her best not to join in,\u00a0Julie glanced at Carly.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGreat,\u201d Carly whispered. \u201cLooks like getting a cuppa is gonna be a process<\/em> today.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Julie shifted in her step, lost in thought. \u201cYea, but\u2026\u201d Before she could finish, the pretentious customer in front gave a sarcastic \u201cthank you,\u201d didn\u2019t tip, and strolled off heels clicking, a fake Gucci bag dangling from her elbow. All she needed was a small dog on a rhinestone studded leash to complete the image.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carly stepped up to the counter with a deadpan gaze and smirked. \u201cShort staffed today hon?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. \u201cCan I take your order? \u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ll keep it simple for you hon.\u201d As Carly gave her order, Julie noticed the clipped motions at the touch screen, eyes a little too wet. If she didn\u2019t step in, this girl might crack right here. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the barista stepped away to make the order, Julie leaned in to whisper, \u201cTake it easy Carly, she looks like she\u2019s having a bad day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. \u201cLook at her. Angry, clothes wrinkled, dark circles under her eyes. Probably stayed out too late last night.\u201d She turned her head, hair flipping over her shoulder before delivering the final blow a little too loud. \u201cI have no sympathy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Julie crossed her arms and tapped a finger on her elbow. \u201cYou may be right, but did you see the small bruises her hand?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carly gave her a side glance, tilting one side of her mouth. \u201cNo. I did not. But\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before Carly could continue, the barista returned with her order. Julie stepped up and laid a hand on Carly\u2019s elbow. \u201cCan I treat?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSure.\u201d Carly rolled her eyes and flipped her hand before stepping aside. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Julie turned to the barista, loud enough for Carly to hear. \u201cBaby keep you up all night? Teething right?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. \u201cHow did you know?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe small bruises you\u2019re rubbing. Lovely little buggers can bite if your not paying attention.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHad me up all night.\u201d They shared a laugh as Julie ordered her matcha soy latte.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ll have to run to the back for a fresh carton of the soy milk.\u201d The barista gave her a brief smile before scampering off, moving just a little easier than before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She turned to Carly who was standing motionless, eyebrows raised, eyes bulging. \u201cHow did you see that? she asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNot too difficult if you\u2019re looking without jumping to conclusions,\u201d Julie replied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat would explain the wrinkled clothes and tired expression. She isn\u2019t rude, she\u2019s a new mother,\u201d Carly exclaimed, loud enough for the people in line to hear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. \u201cI\u2019m a mother too but mine have been out of diapers for a while.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The barista chuckled. \u201cLucky you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s tip jar was filled with 20s. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The lady in front of them sighed heavily, smacking the cardboard cup down on the counter with an audible tap. \u201cExcuse me. This is not what I asked for.\u201d  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 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":2,"menu_order":4,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-311","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\nShort Story Angry Barista | Gransom Hayes Suspense Author<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"We all rely on people who work in the service industry. 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