Every Little Dream

Chapter 1





Katie



I breathe against the window, fogging up the glass. Then after making sure no one’s looking, I draw a tiny heart. Slowly, it fades until there’s nothing but a smear, and I wipe it away with my sleeve. The silly wish that accompanied the doodle, that I’d find love and excitement, makes me giggle. That’s how bored I’ve been lately. I’ve taken to doodling hearts. What’s next?

“Hey, Katie!” Justine nudges me. “Those tables aren’t going to clear themselves.”

I perk up and snap out of my reverie. “Sure thing!” I say a little too chipper.

Justine smiles and heads over to another customer. Her expression is peaceful, happiness radiating off her like she knows what she’s doing with her life and where it will end up. She interacts naturally with customers, always bringing home the big tips.

With a sigh, I stack the plates in a line up my arm to carry over to be cleaned, then I wipe down my table. It’s been a busy day, the start of summer traffic. I’ve been doing this for a couple years now. Smiling, taking orders, smiling, taking orders, and then at the end of every day falling into bed. I followed Seth here, convinced our trip would end up with us together. Ha! Little did I know.

I never meant to still be here, waitressing, two years later, but I can’t quite work up the nerve to move back home. A big fat nothing waits for me there too. Sure, Dad would accept me with open arms and welcome the help at the farm. As it is, I send him any extra money I earn.

By the end of the shift, I’m moving slower than usual, my body drained of energy. Tips definitely decreased in the past two hours. The ketchup bottles and salt shakers need to be filled and the counters wiped, but I sneak a cup of coffee, breathing in the hazelnut aroma, then mix in half and half. I need just a moment. I sink into a chair at an empty table, peeking at my reflection in the window, my blonde hair, flat and lifeless. The perma-smell of grease, hash browns and coffee hovers around me.

Justine slides in across from me. Her chin rests in her hands and she studies me. “What’s up?”

“Huh?” Am I that obvious? I hope not. I never want to seem ungrateful for Justine talking to her uncle and helping me get a job here.

“Come on.” Her smile always brings out the freckles on her nose and cheeks.

“What?” I ask innocently.

“Something’s been wrong for a while.” She ticks items off on her fingers. “You’ve been forgetful. You’ve been faking a smile now for about a month. You’re bored.”

“Geez. Is it that bad?”

Justine nods. “Yup.”

I push my coffee aside and slump over, defeated. Maybe I should just go home, like back home with my dad. I look around at the Seaside Inn, the rows of booths, the counter, the kitchen in the back, and our bedrooms upstairs. This has been my home. A part of me belongs here.

“Ya know. It’s okay to get out once in a while. Go for a walk. Meet people. Maybe a cute guy.”

I snort. “Right. I’ll just happen on Mr. Right by taking a casual stroll down the boardwalk.” We joke about our dream guy walking in for a cup of coffee, which leads to him noticing our perky waitress smiles and asking if he can take us out later. Hasn’t happened yet. Maybe the mustard stains and smell of tater tots are a turn off.

Justine’s teasing expression changes. Her voice softens. “Hey, I know that the everyday life of waitressing can get boring. I’m not going to stick around either. I plan on leaving at the end of the summer.”

I sit up. “What?” I reach across and grab her hand. “Explain! Everything! Does your uncle know?” I’m slightly jealous that she has it figured out. Maybe she can give me advice so I’ll figure out my life too.

She shrugs. “He has an idea. When I came to work for him after high school it was never meant to be forever. Somehow the weeks turned into years. I never planned on that.”

“What are you going to do?” I hope for a spark of something that will light my future path.

She sighs and folds her arms. “Not quite sure. I’m looking at the local college to start. Maybe some volunteer work to help me find my passion.” She laughs, her hand patting her heart. “Other than waitressing. Of course, that will always be my first love.”

“Oh, definitely, me too.” I pick up the generic ketchup bottle, gazing adoringly at it. “Why, you sexy demon you. Where have you been all my life?” I pucker up, fake smooching it, everything that represents our life here.

“Knock it off before someone hears you. We don’t want to be known as completely crazy.”