A beautiful storm *COMPLETE*

A new life

THREE YEARS LATER

RING. RING. RING. Ugh. I grabbed my phone off of the nightstand and answered it. “Hello?” I croaked out. “Rise and shine lady. I need to talk to you about tonight.” Gemma said. “You do realize that I worked until almost 2 am last night. It’s 9:30. Can’t you let a girl get some beauty sleep?” I mumbled. She laughed “No can do. I need you to get up and meet me at the bar.” “You’re the worst, you know?” She only chuckled “But you love me. Now get your as* here!” and the phone clicked. Gemma was my boss and best friend. She owned the SANDbar. When I arrived here, it took me two months to pull my head out of my as*. I was running out of money and needed to find something quick. Gemma had an ad in the paper for a position working the bar. I didn’t have any experience, but after watching her mix up a few drinks, I took to it well. She was impressed at how quickly I could make and serve drinks. My people skills were lacking, but I was a decent actor, and that came pretty quickly too. We mostly had vacationer’s in here, but a few regulars came in. I found that I really enjoyed the job.

I rubbed my temples. Worked until 2 am, got home at 2:45, Fell asleep just after 3:00. I needed more sleep for this. I dragged myself out of bed and to the bathroom. Nice. I looked like sh*t. I skipped the shower, washing my face and applying some light makeup. I threw my hair in a high pony. Checking the mirror, I was satisfied enough with my appearance. I quickly dressed in some black denim shorts and a tank top. The temperature was supposed to reach the high 80’s today. I rushed out the door and headed to the bar. It was about a ten minute walk. I still hadn’t saved enough for a car, but I didn’t mind. I had always enjoyed walking and Destin was beautiful.

“Took you long enough!” she quipped as I walked through the doors. I rolled my eyes. “You do realize that I’m exhausted from running this place last night.” It’s spring break, so business has been booming. The tips are great though, so I can’t complain. “That’s exactly what I want to talk to you about. I’d like you to continue working the bar, but I was thinking you could be my assistant manager.” She batted her eyelashes at me. “It would be a 3 dollar an hour increase in pay and you still get all of your tips. I plan to also hire someone that I will need you to train to assist with the bar.” I would have accepted without the pay increase, but gosh, that would be amazing. I reached my hand out to shake hers. She squealed, grabbing me and pulling me into a tight hug. “You are the best, ya know?” she said. I smiled “Oh I know.” She just laughed. We went up to her office to fill out and finalize all the paperwork for the promotion and pay change. My first task was to submit a help wanted ad in the paper. I got to work creating the ad, emailing it to the ad department for the newspaper. I also hung a sign in the window of the bar. Next, I helped Gemma with inventory. After we finished, she ordered some takeout and we sat at the bar, enjoying our food.

“So, how is everything going for you?” She asked. I sighed “Taking it each day at a time. I’ve been saving every penny of the tips that I earn for a car. The apartment is coming along. It feels so much more like a home now.” I splurged every once in a while, buying artwork from the local artists. They would hang their art in local coffee shops in hopes that someone would come along and buy them. I’d started buying a new piece each month and I’ve made a beautiful gallery wall. Gemma smiled “I’m really happy to hear that. Have you decided what kind of car you’re looking for?” I needed to make a smart decision. I had my eye on a newer model Honda Civic. They are known to be reliable and do pretty good on gas, though I’d probably still walk whenever I could. “I’m thinking a Civic. I like the look of them.” She only nodded. Gemma was a luxury car kind of girl. She owned a white Lexus. It had the fancy leather seats that warmed and cooled your butt. I always poked fun at how extra it was, but she’d get me back when it was 100 degrees on a summer day. Those cooling seats were a godsend. She looked at me smiling “Soooooo, I know that you kind of hate your birthday, but I think that we should celebrate this year!” She looked at me with pleading eyes. It’s been three years. I think I could bring myself to celebrate. “Sure. We can celebrate this year.” She jumped up and down. “We have to go shopping to get some clothes. I’m going to shut the bar down for the evening so that we can enjoy ourselves!” she rushed out. Shutting the bar down meant no tips. I silently cringed. My birthday was on a Friday night this year, which meant that I was going to miss out on a good deal of money.