HOW ARE YOU

We advise that you listen to: Tag, You're It by Melanie Martinez

December 2022, Age 24

Violet shuffled through the staff kitchen sweating. The head chef, Michael was behind on food. Violet tapped her foot, "I need that chef special up now."

Michael looked at her through the shelves, "It's gonna take 20 minutes."

"Fuck. Let me help." Violet's response sounded more like a question.

Michael raised an eyebrow at her before smiling, "Grab an apron and wash your hands!"

Michael watched as Violet worked on the food. She knew all the kitchen lingo and worked well with the sous chefs. That 20-minute wait turned into 10.

"You did good Violet."

She didn't smile, "Thank you."

Michael was an older man, and the corner of his eyes had wrinkles, "You ever thought about culinary school kid?"

"Nah."

"Why not? You're great here. I see the way you look at food. Or when you get behind the burner. You're a natural leader. They listen to you and they've been working longer than you've been alive."

Violet grabbed the tray as she plated the food, "I don't know."

Michael placed a warm hand on her shoulder, "If you ever think about it, you know where to find me."

"Okay."

She sauntered into the dining area. The chandeliers twinkled in the light. Men in suits sat around drinking their old-fashioned alcohol. Violet smiled at them even though it was totally fake. Smiles got her tips. Really good tips.

"Chef's special has arrived." She placed the plates neatly in front of them.

The old men smiled eyeing her. She poured them more water before collecting any finished plates, "Anything else?"

The old man reached up rubbing her thigh, "No thank you, darling."

She gritted her teeth moving slowly. Her nostrils flared with anger, "Enjoy."

Violet made her rounds before taking the back exit for a smoke break. She pulled out her vape smoking its airy content. The cold brick wall helped her feel more at ease.

Her coworker, Miles stood next to her smoking his cigarettes listening to her, "And then the motherfucker had the nerve to touch me."

"I'm sorry love. I know how you get about touching." Miles spoke with soft green eyes staring back at her.

Violet eyed the black SUV that pulled up into the back parking lot. She rolled her eyes, "Smoke breaks over. We got expensive guests pulling up."

He sighed, "Fuck."

Violet waited near the kitchens with the rest of her coworkers. The lunch rush had ended meaning they had to fight for tables until the dinner rush began. Her other friend, Maya chewed on her gum, "I heard he's a rapper."

"Why are they coming here to eat?" Robin another waitress asked drinking some water.

"I heard he's been traveling and wanted some high-class food," Maya said already dazed over serving a famous rapper.

Violet bites her lip, "Maybe we should let Maya get the fucking table."

Miles laughed picking at the polish on his nails, "I second that idea."

"I'm not gonna lie serving famous people scare me," Robin added making Maya jump.

"Perfect!"

Violet jumped when Maya emerged into the employee break room shouting, "Can you guys help me serve? It's like ten of them!"

Violet eyed her group of coworkers as they made their way to the kitchen, "Bro, you better share your tips then."

"They're requesting the five-course experience."

Violet groaned. She knew what that meant. Violet joined her coworkers in collecting all the silverware and expensive plates. Violet, Miles, and Robin helped bring it to the dining area. The chatter of the men made her look up.

They were loud as they talked about the rapper's recent tour. Violet easily plated everything avoiding their moving heads and loud tones. She zoned them out as Maya took their order feeding into their expensive taste.

The clash of a water glass made her jump back to reality. Violet looked up seeing a pair of familiar eyes staring at her. Oakley sat in his extremely preferred athletic wear tech suit. He liked to be comfortable at all times, even in the most high-class restaurant he had been in.

Violet and her coworker bent down picking up the glass from the floor. The chatter continued around them ignoring the spill. "Miles, get a few of those towels."

Violet ignored his eyes as she finished picking up the glass. "I'll bring another one for you."

Oakley bent down holding onto her wrist, "Vi?"

She pulled away standing up, "I'll have someone bring you another glass straight away."

"Wait." He whispered but she was gone.

Violet passed the kitchen staff and her coworkers moving to the back exit. Miles followed her sensing another one of her panic attacks, "Just breath, babe."

Violet leaned against the brick wall again feeling its cool sensation, "I'm good."

"You knew him didn't you?" Miles asked smiling.

Violet rolled her eyes, "In another life."

And so she avoided the dining area staying behind in the kitchen and helping out. She used her energy to learn new recipes and techniques. Maya approached her handing her a hefty tip, "I don't know what we did but each of us walked away with two hundred."

"Are we closing a bit before dinner?" Miles asked the manager as he passed with his clipboard.

"Yes. The last group just left. I expect you all to be back by the start of service to set up."

Violet left them alone not bothering to respond to anyone else. The familiar back exit made its appearance again. She gasped when she saw him waiting for her. Violet took a step back trying to dodge him.

"Violet, don't run again. It's just me." Oakley told her pulling on his puffer jacket.

Violet's nostrils flared, "Fuck you."

He laughed, "What did I do to deserve that?"

"That song!"

His eyebrows creased, "Bro, you told me to write it."

Violet shook her head, "You're still fucking selfish."

He gave her another smile, "I missed your smart mouth."

"We haven't seen each other in years. You ain't miss nothing." Violet pulled on her trench coat trying to savor the warmth.

Oakley waited for her to move first. Violet caved in pulling him into a hug. He almost crushed her with his arms. She smiled into his chest, "I missed you too by the way."

"I know. You going home?" He asked noticing her purse.

"Yeah. I'll see you around okay?" Violet caught his hand in hers remembering how his hands felt.

"Wait, we can go somewhere and catch up."

She shook her head, "Can't. Gotta get ready for work tonight. Don't worry about me. It was nice seeing you."

"No. Wait. You're doing that thing again."

Violet waved as she made her way to the bus stop, "Bye."

She didn't have time to relinquish her past, especially not with him. Oakley watched as she walked away again. It wasn't the first time and it wouldn't be the last time Violet Diamant left him standing by himself.

The car horn brought Oakley back to the present. His younger brother, Juke appeared, "Bro was that who I think it was?"

He nodded, "Yeah, it was her."

Dear Diary,

You wouldn't believe who I saw. The man himself walked into my restaurant of all places today. I don't know if this is fate trying to bring us together and I don't like it.

That brings me back to the past, again. I remember when we got that reading. I thought that medium was fake but he believed her when she said it. Something about the stars and what not.  I'll really believe it's the universe if I see him again.

If I never see him again I know it's not meant to be.

Authors Note:

Heads up we're back to the present!

Thanks for all the lovely comments and votes on this! I'm glad y'all are enjoying it. ❤️