“Yes, ma’am. Thank you very much. I really appreciate it.”
I walk out to the area where the last remaining trays from the buffet line are waiting. I’m pretty sure it’s just mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables—shouldn’t be too bad. After I stack the three trays, I take a second to glance at the bride and groom as they dance. They’re a very attractive couple, but it’s the way they’re looking at each other that strikes me. That’s what’s beautiful. There’s no doubt in my mind that this couple loves each other deeply.
Maybe my next romance read should include a wedding. A sigh escapes me at the thought. I love a good, sappy love story.
I turn on my heel. and I’m just about to walk back into the kitchen when an adorable little girl in a fluffy, blush-colored dress races up to me and skids to a stop. She’s panting, a sheen of sweat on her forehead.
“‘Scuse me, ma’am,” she says, “I’ve been dancing, and I’m thirsty. Can you help me get some water?”
I smile down at her. She couldn’t look any cuter as she blows a stray blonde ringlet out of her eyes.
“Sure, there are water bottles right over there. I can help you open one if you need.”
She looks in the direction I’m pointing and bites her lower lip. She doesn’t respond immediately, but then the hint of a grin forms on her face.
“I don’t like bottled water. Could you get me some from the sink?”
“Of course, I can do that. Do you want ice in it?”
“Is it the big ice cubes or the little ones? You know, like in a snow cone?”
Damn, this kid is adorable.
I can picture her with blue stains around her mouth after indulging in one of the cold treats.
“They’re a little bigger than snow cone ice, but not the big ones you might have at home.”
“Okay. A little ice would be good. Like, maybe this much.” She cups her tiny hand to show me how much ice to put in it, then sits on a nearby chair and swings her feet back and forth. “I’ll wait right here.”
“All right. Give me just a minute. I’ll go put these pans away and send someone out with some water for you.”
“No! It has to be you.”
“Oh, well, I’m just a dishwasher. But do you see those sweet ladies over there? They can bring you a?—”
“No. I want it to be fromyou.Trust me on this, ‘kay?”
Persistent little thing.
“Okay, I’ll do that. Let me drop these off”—I gesture to the pans I’m holding—“then, I’ll get your water and let my boss know I’m bringing it out to you.”
“If she yells at you, send her to me. Tell her I’m the flower girl. Is she old? Old people love me. If you don’t believe me, you can ask my friends Lester and Ruthie. Oh! And Sally—I almost forgot Sally. That’s silly. She was my nanny.”
I chuckle and smile at her. She’s a ray of light if I’ve ever met one.
“Sure thing, if she gives me any trouble, I’ll send her out here to you. I’ll be right back.”
I return to the kitchen and place the dirty metal trays on my work area, then wash my hands.
“Phyllis, there’s a little girl out there who wants a glass of water from the tap and insists that I bring it to her. Is that okay?”
“Sure, Delaney. Whatever the customers want, within reason, of course.” She winks at me.
“Thanks.”
I prepare the water exactly to the child’s specifications and walk back out.
“Here you go. Get some water in you, and you can be back on the dance floor in no time. It was very nice to meet you.”
