Chapter 5
Maya
The steam rising from the silver contraption behind the counter looks dangerously hot. As a precaution, I step back. The too-cool woman with the I-don't-comb-my-hair-on-principle hairstyle smirks amusedly at the coffee machine. Next, she places a cup on the counter, fills the metallic thing in her hand with coffee powder, and magically attaches it to the machine.
"Go ahead and sit at the table over there. I'll be with you in a moment," she says, casually pointing at a corner of the room. Then she presses a few buttons, and shortly after, the wonderful aroma of coffee fills my nostrils even more intensely than when I first entered the café.
I love this smell. If I worked here, I could enjoy it all day long. I just need to convince the owner of this little café.
Somehow.
Feeling tense, I turn around and march in the direction she indicated earlier. There, I sink into one of the trendy beanbags and topple over directly onto my back. Seconds later, I'm lying on my back like a beetle unable to free itself from an awkward position. Only with effort do I peel my body sideways out of the hollow I've formed in the bag. Hastily, I prop myself up with my hands on the floor and push myself back up.
I look around. Luckily, none of the numerous patrons seem to have noticed my mishap. Now, I just need my face to stop glowing, and everything will be fine.
I approach the next attempt with the beanbag more cautiously, and it actually works. Satisfied, I let my gaze wander. With the oversized T-shirt and the bright yellow leggings, I surely look like I belong here now. The furnishings are a mix of colorful chaos. Warm light filters into the room through the floor-to-ceiling glass panels, and from most tables, you can watch the Viennese strolling along Mariahilferstra?e. I like the relaxed atmosphere and the chill background music.
Everything here is laid-back. Nonetheless, I nervously smile at the café owner as she approaches the table.
"So, um..." She places a glass of water in front of me and takes a seat.
"Maya," I quickly say, handing her my résumé, slightly affected by the mishap earlier.
She clears her throat. "So you're interested in the barista position?" Her gaze falls on the paper. Immediately, her voluminous eyebrows rise, and the corners of her mouth turn downward.
It would probably be better to preempt her next question. Nevertheless, I remain silent, not wanting to blurt something out.
"As I can see, you have a lot... um... experience. However, you've never worked in a café before." Her direct gaze meets mine.
I try in vain to sit up a bit in my beanbag. "That's correct. Nevertheless, I believe I would be a great fit here. I'm open to learning everything, have no problem with long hours, and I never get sick as a matter of principle." My throat is dry. I reach for the water glass as casually as possible.
"Here it says you last did an internship at a kindergarten. Why don't you want to work with children anymore?" She sounds genuinely interested. But she's clearly asking the wrong question.
Nadine's words immediately creep through my thoughts like dark mist. Unsuitable. Unprofessional. Unbearable. That's what's left of my dream to help children in difficult life situations.
"Maya?"
The café owner's voice startles me. I shake my head to shake off the unpleasant feeling of failure. "Childcare just wasn't the right fit for me after all."
Her skeptical look tells me that she's not satisfied with my answer. "A lot of things weren't the right fit for you. Fitness trainer, food delivery, production worker..."
Before she lists the other fifteen jobs I've only lasted a few months in, I better interrupt her. "Being a barista is perfect. I love coffee, and this place here is just amazing."
That's true. I felt comfortable as soon as I entered the café.
"You would fit in well here, that's for sure." There's a sparkle in her eyes.
"Of course, I'm made for this." Even though I don't believe it myself, I confidently spread my arms. I won't find a better job than this one anytime soon. It has to work .
I like her bright laughter. "Alright, let's give it a try. Come for a trial shift the day after tomorrow. We open at six. That's not a problem for you, right?"
To manage that, my alarm clock needs to ring in a shrill siren tone and be positioned on the windowsill. "Absolutely not."
"It's going to be fun." She gets up from her chair with an amused grin.
I watch her make her way through the café toward the counter. What did that amused expression on her face mean just now? Does she doubt my ability to do the job?
I shouldn't even think about that. Soon, I'll be working here, and the memory of my once-colorful dream will fade away. A little more each day. Just the way it should be.