“Oh yeah,” Del nods. “He shares some with me when he gets too much. Though, I think that’ll change now that you’re living there. You’ll be glad for it, I promise.”
“I’ll take your word for it.” I shoo her away and lean against the podium. All these people in my life have loving and supporting parents, even if it’s just one. It makes me wonder what I did wrong. Why my mom chose to never be there for me. It’s something that’s plagued me for years, and it’s the reason I left home as soon as I could. It wouldn’t do any good to be somewhere I wasn’t wanted.
My phone buzzes on the shelf beneath me. I glance toward the door to make sure nobody is walking, and turn to ensure my help isn’t needed anywhere else. I pick it up and swipe open the screen.
Devin
Is everything okay? You didn’t call this morning.
Lisa
Yeah. I slept past my alarm and had to rush to get to work on time.
Devin
Cool. Want to do dinner tonight?
Damn it. I forgot we were going to figure out some dates before our schedules got busy. It slipped my mind when I agreed to start the bartending class tonight.
Lisa
Actually…the bartending class I wanted was full, but they have a spot for the one starting tonight. I told Carlos I’d take it so I can get started behind the bar sooner.
Devin
Oh, ok. Maybe this weekend after we perform, we can grab food at one of the all-night breakfast places.
Lisa
Definitely. I’m so sorry.
Devin
No, it’s fine. Good luck at class tonight.
Lisa
Thanks.
He sounds upset. I could be reading into it wrong, but I can’t help the gut feeling that I’ve let him down. Maybe he thinks I should have touched base with him before I decided on the class. We just started dating again, and while we’ve picked up where we left off in some ways…in others we’re starting over. We aren’t exactly at a place where we check in about decisions.
Well, not exactly. This class isn’t life altering. Hearing him talk about wanting to get picked up by that band had my head in a tailspin last night. That is something that will change the trajectory of his life, and mine, if he wants me in it. But I’ll be there for him. That’s my job as his girlfriend. Who knows maybe his band won’t get picked and it’s something we won’t have to worry about. If they do…I guess I’ll cross that bridge when we get there.
There are five other people in this class with me. I assumed there would be more, but I have no idea because this isn’t a job I ever considered before moving back to Asheville.
We spent the first half of class time going over some of the basic rules. Now we’re going over how to prep a bar. I never realized how much work the bartenders do just to serve the patrons for the night. It makes sense, though. It also explains a bit more why Carlos is the way he is about keeping the bar. Him and my instructor would get along well.
Thirty minutes. That’s all that’s left of class after going over the bar. I keep expecting to make a drink, or even pour one. But no. All we’ve done is go over every little thing we can expect to find behind the bar.
Why are there so many types of shakers? I’m pretty sure Out of the Ashes doesn’t have this same variety. Or, maybe they do. I haven’t spent much time back there. There’s never been a reason for me to. Hell, I only ever wait tables when we’ve been short staffed. Thank God those days are over.
I’ve zoned out and don’t know what the instructor just spoke about. Raising my hand, I rack my brain for his name. I honestly can’t remember, and I hope like hell he reintroduces himself again.
He sighs as he points to me. “Yes?”
Definitely not making a good impression tonight. Tomorrow I will do better. “Sorry, I missed what you were saying about that section.”
One of the guys in class smirks at me, and I wish I could swipe it off his face. He’s good looking and I have no doubt he’ll make great tips when he starts tending bar, but I don’t need for him to chastise me. He’s a newbie, just like me.
