Chapter Nine
Autumn in the south sure is different from autumn in the north. While the leaves on the trees in Chicago are surely in full color change right about now, some probably even falling off, here in Atlanta there’s just the slightest hint of yellow and splashes of orange.
And the weather?
Don’t even get me started.
It’s so sunny and warm out today that it’s to the point of being almost downright hot.
No, check that—it is hot.
That’s why I’ve chosen a light flouncy floral sundress and sandals to wear for my job hunt.
Not that it’s much of a “hunt.” I’m only trying Applebee’s. In fact, I’m on my way there now. Hopefully, they’ll have an opening for a server.
Then again, isn’t everyone looking for employees these days?
I should be good.
When I reach Applebee’s, I pull into their lot and park in a space on the side of the restaurant.
As I’m walking in, I see that, sure enough, there’s a big “Now Hiring” sign on the door.
Cool. With my experience working at one of their Chicago locations over the summer, I should get hired today.
Once I’m inside, I ask the hostess if I can see the manager. I explain that I’m looking for a job and that I worked at an Applebee’s recently.
She turns to head to the back, tossing over her shoulder, “Just one minute. I’ll see if our manager is busy.”
“Okay.”
As I wait, I shift from one foot to the other. But I’m not waiting long. The manager, an older lady, her dark hair pulled up in a tight bun with graying at her temples, comes out to greet me so quickly, it’s not even funny.
“Hi.” She extends her hand, and says warmly, “I’m Barb. I hear you’re interested in becoming a server here at Applebee’s and that you have experience at one of our restaurants in the Chicago area?”
“Yes, I am.” I shake her hand. “And I do have experience. Oh, by the way, I’m Ellie.”
“Nice to meet you, Ellie.” She motions for me to follow her. “Let’s sit down in a booth, and we can talk further.”
“Great.”
I follow her to a booth just a few feet away. We sit down across from each other.
Glancing around, I note that it’s not very busy, even though it’s only a little after one. There should be a much larger lunch crowd.
The lack of customers gives me pause and makes me worry how many tips I could really make here.
Hmmm…
But I put my concerns behind me, as I need a job.
The interview goes well, and Barb hires me on the spot.
As I’m leaving, an employee, clearly finishing her shift based on her black pants and regulation black polo, follows me. She’s juggling her purse and a large cloth tote, which is slipping from her hand, so I hold the door for her.
“Thanks,” she says as she readjusts her bags, one over each shoulder.
I smile. “No worries.”
The girl is pretty. She has auburn hair, pulled up in a high ponytail, green eyes, and a smattering of freckles across her nose.
I start to walk to my car, and she continues to follow me, explaining that she’s parked on the same side as me.
“I’m not a creeper, I promise,” she says.
I just laugh.
I get the sense she has something she wants to tell me, but I have no clue what that could be.
Is the restaurant closing permanently or something along those lines? Could be, since it isn’t that busy during a time when it should be bustling.
Well, it’s not something I’m going to worry about now.
Just as I’m about to jump into my car, the girl stops and says, “Hey, can I ask you a question?”
With my hand on the top of my open door, I say, “Yeah, sure.”
She walks over to where I’m standing and asks, “Are you planning on working here?”
“Uh-huh.” I nod. “Barb, your manager, just hired me.”
She smiles. “Aw, Barb is a sweetheart. But I should warn you, it’s pretty slow most of the time. I mean, we get some business, sure. But tips really aren’t what they should be.”
“Ugh.” I blow out a frustrated breath. “I was afraid of that. I guess I could try some other restaurants.” I glance around the busy business area. “There seems to be a lot of options around here.”
“There are.” She hesitates, then asks, “Is it okay if I suggest one in particular?”
I’m not sure where this is going, or why she’s being so helpful, but I shrug and say, “Sure.”
Before she gives me her “suggestion,” she says, “I’m Sammie, by the way.”
“Oh, I’m Ellie. Nice to meet you.”
“You too. So, anyway…” She releases a breath. “I swear I’m not a weirdo or anything, like I said before. But the fact is you’re really pretty, and I know a place where you can make five times the tips you’ll make here. Probably more than that even. I work there myself.” She lifts the tote strap off her shoulder an inch or so and says, “That’s what’s in here—my other uniform. I’m heading there next.”
I’m really curious, so I cross my arms and say, “Okay, I’m listening. What is this fabulous place with the great tips?”
Straightening the tote on her shoulder, she says, “Well, first, have you ever heard of Tilted Kilt or Hooters?”
“Yep.” I nod. “I’ve heard of both of them.”
She goes on. “Good. So, the place I’m talking about is not one of those, but it’s a lot like them. The food is a little more upscale, but anyway.” She waves her hand. “It’s still a waitressing gig, like here at Applebee’s, but the outfit you wear is kind of skimpy.” I frown, and she quickly adds, “It’s nothing too revealing, okay? You’d be wearing a white button-down blouse tied at the waist, a short red-and-black plaid skirt with black boy shorts underneath, and high leather boots with heels. I mean, I don’t want to scare you away.”
“Don’t worry,” I assure her, chuckling. “I’m not scared. I’m actually intrigued. Tell me more.”
Nodding and looking relieved, she says, “Okay, the cool thing is, it’s not a corporate bar or restaurant. It’s privately owned. You get a nice hourly wage, better than here or at those other places I mentioned. And the tips on top of the wages are fantastic. Mostly guys come in, and they’re big spenders.”
I laugh. “Hmm, I wonder why.”
Chuckling, she replies, “Right. But I have to say they’re truly good tippers.” She points to the southbound side of the busy four-lane road to the left of us. “It’s about half a mile down from here. It’s called Boots.”
“Boots, huh? Okay, sounds interesting,” I admit. But then, ever the skeptic, I say, “I do have two questions, though.”
“Sure, what are they?”
“First, if the money is so great, why are you still working here at Applebee’s? And second, why are you helping me?”
Blowing out a breath, Sammie says, “Honestly, I stay here for a few shifts each week because I feel bad for Barb. We really are incredibly short-staffed, and she is so nice and accommodating to whatever you need. I hate to leave her in a lurch, but I probably will quit at some point.”
I nod. “All right, that makes sense. And reason number two?”
Sheepishly, she says, “Um, I actually get a referral bonus for anyone that I send in that gets hired at Boots.”
I laugh. “Ah, got it.”
Scrunching up her face, she asks, “Are you mad?”
“No, not at all.” I shake my head. “I think it’s smart of you to do a little recruiting for extra cash.”
I like this girl.
We talk a little more, and I’m sold on trying for a job at this Boots establishment.
Since I’m not busy, and she’s going there anyway, I decide to follow her down to the place.
Pulling into their lot, I determine that it looks respectable enough. Boots is just a basic restaurant with an Old English pub feel about it, nothing tawdry.
We park and go in, and I meet Sammie’s manager, Annie.
It’s funny. She takes one look at me and hires me on the spot.
When she walks away to retrieve the new hire paperwork I’ll need to complete and bring back, Sammie and I look at each other and laugh.
“That was easy,” I say.
“Told you you’d be a perfect fit, Ellie.”
“Yeah, I guess you were right.”
After Annie returns and gives me the paperwork, I say good-bye to Sammie and head out.
On my way home, I call Barb to give her the bad news. But she sounds so sad that I feel guilty and tell her I’ll pick up a shift or two each week.
Hey, if Sammie can do it, so can I.
This is better anyway. I don’t really want to share with Nils that I’m working at Boots. I bet he knows the place. In fact, I have a feeling every male within a fifty-mile radius knows about Boots.
And not that I think Nils would care, but he may tell Arden.
That would not be good, as my overprotective brother would certainly not approve. He’d worry too much about me.
So, for the foreseeable future, as far as Nils and Arden are concerned, I’m working solely at Applebee’s.