I pull out the seat closest to her and sit down. After I pull a donut out of the box, I take a bite. These have got to be my favorite donuts ever. Aside from my friends, I think I missed these the most.
Carlos sits down opposite of us. "We know you're just getting settled, but we wanted to talk to you about your old job."
Talk about getting down to business. He's not wasting any time. At least, I don't have to grovel for my job like I thought I would need to do. "I can have my job back?"
"Yes..." Angie begins.
"And no," Carlos finishes.
"What do you mean?" This seems pretty cut and dry to me. Either I get my job back or I don't. Curiosity courses through me. They have to have a reason for being so obscure.
Angie nods toward Carlos for him to explain. "We'd like to take you back on as one of the hosts. For now, anyway."
Because that doesn't sound foreboding. "Does that mean I need to continue my search for a job?"
"Not at all." Angie sits up straighter and takes another donut. "We want to put you through bartending school so you can manage the bartenders."
What the hell? When have I ever given them the idea that I'm bartender material? "Isn't that Carlos's job?"
"I'm actually trying to cut back some of those responsibilities and help Angie with the day-to-day stuff."
That doesn't sound like the Carlos I used to work with at all. He basically lived at this bar. "Why the change? You used to be a workaholic."
"That's what having a family does to you."
"What?" That was quick. And there's only one person who could manage to pull him out of working so much.
"Delilah didn't tell you?"
"Tell me you have a family now? No." I knew I should have gotten her to give me updates. When I would text, or call, to check in, I made sure to steer away any conversation about the people here. It hurt too much thinking about everyone getting on with their lives without me. Even though I'm the one who chose to leave.
"Do you remember that girl that came in with her friends all the time?"
"The one you were too scared to talk to?"
"Yeah, she's the one." Angie grins before grabbing her drink off the table. "Eric basically double dog dared him to ask her out. It was a whole thing."
"Yeah, yeah," he waves his hand in the air, "anyway, I want to make more time for her and her son, David."
"So, what's it like to be a family man?" As logical as it is, it's not something I've ever considered Carlos once again. I mean, I've seen him interact with his sisters and his mom and his great. But that's not the same as raising a kid. Especially one that isn't your own.
A huge smile forms on his face. "It's pretty amazing. David is such a great kid and shows a lot of promise in football."
Wow. He has the whole package. "Next thing you know; you'll be pulling up to the bar in a minivan."
His only response is a shrug. I feel like that's a considerable downplay of changes that might occur in his life. But who am I to judge? It's not his fault I have a terrible relationship with my mom. If this is what he wants, I'm happy for him.
"So," Carlos leans forward and sets his elbows on the table. "Is this something you might be interested in? If not, that's okay. But we want you back on the team."
It feels like a lot of responsibility. Am I ready for something like this? I've poured beer before, but I've never paid much attention to how other types of drinks are made. Big decisions aren't exactly my area of expertise.
Grabbing the bottle of water Carlos set in front of me, I open it and take a long drink. Anything to buy me some time. My old job is what I really wanted, but this opportunity...it wouldn't be smart to pass it up.
I set the bottle back on the table. "How soon would bartending classes start? And how will that interfere with my duties at the host stand?"
"Does that mean you're in?" Angie clasps her hands in her lap. "Honestly, I think you would make a killing as a bartender."
"Yes," I grin, "I'm in."
