Part Seventeen – Where a new life arises
Lisa’s sixth day working at the café had started as she had never imagined it would. She had told Emily and Theo the truth, and they did not fire her. Also, they seemed like they were not scared to death by her other work.
She knew people would often act cool around her but be scared in private. She would have to watch out for that kind of thing. Maybe that was why Emily went to the kitchen so fast and did not return when she talked to Theo.
Lisa would have to talk to her, but for now, she had to open the café.
Emily came from the kitchen with two amazing-looking cakes.
“We have to order new things for the pantry. These look good, I think,” Emily started.
“They look amazing, Emily.” When she saw the two next cakes, Lisa did not know what else to say.
“I am trying to expand the amount of cake, so maybe people would come here for our cakes, but I am not trained at any culinary school.”
Lisa looked at Emily, who even made herself physically smaller by crouching.
“Stop! You make great cakes that taste so good I want to eat more. It is going to be fun watching you unfold your cake bake talent. School or no school that is talent. Don’t worry; it will be good.”
Lisa realized she was back to her old self. She knew how to elevate people.
“You think?” Emily said with a proud smile.
“I am absolutely sure of it,” Lisa smiled back.
“Now for cake-eating customers.”
Lisa opened the door for the three people who stood outside. She greeted them, carried the sign outside, got her notepad, and went to work.
In the corner were two dead people, and Lisa ignored them like she had done all the other days.
She went from table to table to take orders.
Her angel came into sight, and Lisa froze. These situations were always where she feared what they had for her now.
Was she going to have to quit after they talked? She wanted to stay more than anything else.
She looked at the angel when she paused for a moment.
“We need to talk,” the angel said. Lisa nodded a slight nod.
She put the notes on the counter and said, I am going outside for 2 minutes. Emily looked at her and nodded. Emily added don’t be too long but trailed off.
Outside the café, she looked at the angel and said what now.
“Have you decided to stay at the café?”
“Yes, I want to stay here and not travel. It’s not that I don’t want to help people. I just don’t want to be only a traveler. I need to be me.”
The angel smiled,
“Then, we are prepared to make it a trial. We will still send you people, and you will have to help those people because that is your mission.”
Lisa sighed.
“I can do that, but I don’t want it to ruin my work at the café. I want to be me, too. Otherwise, I will stop all we have and all that I am.”
The angel smiled.
“I have been with you since you were a child, and I know you are a soul of your words.” The angel smiled.
“I am going back in, and thank you.”
Lisa went inside and to the counter.
“Are the orders ready?”
Emily’s eyes lit up when she saw Lisa.
“They are all ready.”
She saw a familiar face as she gave the different customers cake, coffee, and tea. Lydia came in the door.
“Could Agnes not come today?” Lisa smiled.
Lydia smiled slyly and said She needed a day in bed, not feeling all up to it.
“Is she sick?” Lisa said, feeling guilty she had rejected the older woman.
Lydia had a big smile on her face, but she said nothing.
The door opened, and in came Agnes.
“That parking was stupid. Who wants to keep within the lines? She huffed. “It is ridiculous parking that car. I need a chauffeur.”
Lisa looked at Lydia, Agnes, and then Lydia again.
“You two old bats,” she mumbled before walking to the counter.
I was feeling guilty, she thought.
This was going to be a great place to work moving forward.
“Are you giving in soon?” Agnes said so the entire café heard her. It made her eyes sparkle.
“Nope,” Lisa laughed, “not for a moment.”
“Then get me cake and coffee,” Lydia sat in a chair and added
“I am coming here every day until you do. I might lose this time, but I will win the war.”
Lisa sighed, knowing she was a woman of her word.
Emily looked all frightened.
“Is she serious, you think?” She asked Lisa.
“Yes, she will come here for cake and coffee every day until I say yes. Talk about money in the bank.”
Emily smiled
“That is one way to look at it. Will you not get tired of saying no all the time?”
“I am going to say yes someday, but for now, it is okay to say no.”
“I am going to work here and love it,” Lisa smiled at Emily.
Theo came from the office and looked at the two smiling women. Agnes looked at Theo and asked very loudly.
“Are you her boss?”
“Yes, I guess I am,” Theo said.
“She is her own, but here I am, the boss.”
“Can you please tell her to say yes to my proposal?”
Everyone in the room watched this older woman try yet another way to get her what she wanted.
“I am sorry, I am not able to do that.” Theo looked confused.
Agnes said,
“Well, it is money for you. I am coming every day until she does agree.”
Theo smiled but said nothing.
Lisa went to Theo.
“Don’t worry. I am going to agree with her soon enough.”
“She is a character for sure,” Theo said.
“I know. Just wait; there will be others like Agnes.”
Sometimes happiness comes with more minor changes that are not revolutions, Lisa thought as she brought coffee to another guest.