With an armload of ketchup bottles, I backed out of the cooler. I put one on each table as I made my way to the front of the restaurant. I was so focused on my task I didn’t even notice Meadow come in. She was standing behind the counter with her back to me as she searched through the pile of aprons for a clean one she could wear.

“Well good morning, sleeping beauty. I hope you got lots of rest last night. It’s going to be a busy day today,” I said as I made my way toward her.

She turned and smiled, tying the winning apron around her waist.

“Holy. You look like shit,” I blurted out. I instantly regretted it. No one wants to hear that, even if it’s the truth. I couldn’t help it though. She looked so run down that it caught me completely off guard. I could tell she’d put some effort into her appearance, but it was written all over her face that she’d had a sleepless night.

“I’m so sorry. That’s not what I meant. Of course you still look beautiful. We’ve got some time, why don’t we relax over a coffee before we open? I just finished brewing a fresh pot.” I reached for two coffee mugs, knowing she wouldn’t say no to a coffee.

“A coffee would be great, but if you don’t mind, I’d rather just get to work. I’ve got lots to learn about how to open a restaurant.”

She was so determined to prove she was a hard worker.

“Oh, yeah, okay. Greg better be careful. Seems like you’re going to take over his title as hardest working employee,” I said as Greg, our sixteen-year-old dishwasher, walked through the door.

Greg laughed and gave Meadow a mock glare. I introduced them and they had a little chat before he continued back into the dish pit. Meadow looked around the restaurant. I could tell she was ready to start work, but had no idea where to start. I handed her a mug of coffee and a package of napkins.

“Here, take this and start at the back. Make sure that the napkin dispensers on each table are full.”

“I’m on it,” she said like she’d just been given a highly important mission.

It was nice to have an extra set of hands. Knowing the napkins were in capable hands, I headed back to the kitchen to chat with the cooks. Eventually I peeked out the service window and saw that Meadow had finished the napkin task and was looking around again for something to do. I tried to think of another job I could give her, but we were pretty much ready with time to spare.

I tried to think what could have given her such a bad night. She’d been happy, literally thrilled, when she’d said goodnight to Paul and me at the brewery.

Was it the work? Not only was this her second day at a new job, it was her second day at a job, ever. I could only imagine how nervous and anxious she must have been feeling. I wondered if she’d been worried all night about her shift.

“Don’t be nervous about today, girl. I know you’re going to be great,” I said as I walked up behind her and put a hand on her shoulder.

She looked at me with a half smile. That’s when I noticed a quiver in her lip.

“Meadow, is everything okay?”

I turned her towards me gently, leaving my hands on her arms as I looked her in the eye. I wanted her to know she could be honest with me.  The moment our eyes met, she started sobbing.

“Oh, no,” I said as I pulled her in for a hug.

“Meadow darling, today’s going to be fine. You’re going to be great and I’ll be here all day to help you. Remember how much of a natural team we make?” I tried my best to reassure her as she sobbed into my shoulder. Between the tears, I could tell she was trying to say something, but I couldn’t make it out.

“What was that?”

She repeated herself, but with all the sobbing it was impossible to make out a word she said. I felt awful, but I had to ask her to repeat herself a third time.

“I slept with Kane last night,” she said at last, and burst into hysterical tears.

Startled by the news and her sobbing, I grabbed her hand and rushed her into the back office. It was the last thing I expected to hear. No wonder I had no idea what she was trying to say. I would never have guessed that. I couldn’t believe she slept with Kane. I was so sure it was her and Paul who were going to hit it off.

Having never slept with Kane myself, I wasn’t sure what about sleeping with him would make a grown woman burst into hysterical tears. I mean, I knew he had his faults, but he was one of my best friends and that was because he was a solid guy. They got off to such a rough start with each other, and I was feeling pretty happy with myself for smoothing it over between them last night, but I really had no idea that I had done such a good job. I still couldn’t get over the fact she’d ended up with Kane when I was sure the chemistry had been between her and Paul.

“Kane? Really? I thought you and Paul were hitting off.”

She looked up and stared at me, wiping her tears on her sleeve. She said nothing and that was when I realized the problem wasn’t with my matchmaking skills.

“Sorry. Sorry. Okay, you slept with Kane. Why is that a disaster?”

She looked into my eyes, still saying nothing. I could tell her mind was racing but I had no idea what about. The way her eyes were moving, in short quick movements, let me know she was collecting her thoughts. It looked like she was trying to make sense of it all. My curiosity was killing me, but I gave her time.

“I can’t believe you, Sandra. How can you just sit there like it’s not a big deal. You call that man one of your best friends? How could you ever be friends with someone like him? Do you support his lifestyle? I feel like I’m going to be sick. Why did everyone fail to mention that Kane is married?”