Tapped

“Good morning, Riley. I have a feeling its going to be a great Sunday,” Mr. Evans cheerfully said as Riley walked into the door of the Cup.

“Need. Coffee. Now,” she muttered. Riley had never been a morning person, no matter how many hours she slept.

“I have a cup all ready for you on the counter. Everything should be stocked but you’ll need to place a couple coffee pitchers in the fridge. The news said it’s going to be another warm day. I’ll be in the back if you need me,” he instructed and left Riley to her task.

Taking a sip of her coffee, Riley groaned in pleasure. Mr. Evans always made her coffee just how she liked it, a teaspoon of sugar with a dash of milk. Turning on the radio, she started to fill pitchers of coffee.

“Today better be slow. I have the worst hangover.”

Riley looked over the coffee machine and saw Ryan sit down on a nearby chair and lay his head on the table.

“Rough night?” she inquired.

“The worst. Or best depending on how you look at it. One too many shots of whisky,” Ryan mumbled.

Riley laughed. “How did eating ice cream lead to taking shots of whisky? Did you walk by a liquor store and think ‘Oh why the hell not?’”

“No, it was more of a ‘Allen bet he could do more shots than me,’ kind of thing.”

“Male egos. How so very fragile,” she quipped sarcastically. “I’m assuming my roommate is in the same predicament as you?”

Ryan lifted his head and winced. “She might be worse. We kept taunting that she wouldn’t be able to keep up with us. For a while, she was shot for shot. I think after the fifth she started to fade away.”

Oh good Lord. Riley thought.

Erin was definitely going to need some advil when she woke up. Riley handed Ryan over a cup of coffee.

“Drink up, party boy. We have eight hours of customers to deal with.”

For most of the shift, Riley let Ryan sit in the back with a jug of water. By noon though, many of the students were awake and looking for a jolt of caffeine. Riley pulled Ryan out front and ordered him to clean all the tables and restock the condiments while she handled the drink orders.

“Afternoon Miss Sanders. I’ll have a large black coffee.”

Riley looked up and saw her Law and Ethics professor. He was one of her favorite professors at Hollins.

Although known as a tough grader, he was always fair and willing to help students who asked. His classes were never boring and most ended with a heated debate.

“Afternoon Professor Wright. What are you doing on campus on a Sunday?”

He gestured to a stack of papers on a nearby table. “Trying to complete grading these papers, so you will have them back for tomorrow’s class, as promised.”

“It seems you have the procrastination gene too, Professor,” Riley joked.

Professor Wright chuckled and started to fidget with his jacket. “I had planned on grading them yesterday but an urgent meeting came up that I needed to attend.”

As Riley poured his coffee into a cup and handed it to the professor she said, “Well, good luck. I hope you finish grading them.”

“Thank you, Miss Sanders. I will see you tomorrow in class and keep the change,” he plunked down a couple one-dollar bills and walked back to his table.

Two hours later, Riley was leaning against the counter, staring at the clock. Five minutes till the end of her shift and then she could start on her reading. While most professors didn’t assign homework, Riley always read over chapters before class and took copious notes to better prepare herself for the lecture.

Grabbing her purse and jacket she said goodbye to Mr. Evans and headed for the door. As Riley passed by Ryan, she saw him trip and fumble with a cup of coffee. To her horror, she watched as he bumped into Professor Wright and spilled the coffee all over his jacket and shirt.

“Oh my god. I’m so sorry, sir. Are you all right?” Ryan quickly said. “Are you hurt?”

“I have scalding coffee all over me. What do you think? What an incompetent employee!” the professor retorted, trying to wipe the coffee off with his hand.

Anyone could see the professor was angry and trying to diffuse the situation, Riley quickly grabbed a handful of napkins and gave them to the professor.

“Professor Wright, this is all my fault. Please don’t blame Ryan. I bumped into him as I was leaving. I’m so sorry,” Riley apologized as the professor dabbed the napkins over his wet clothes.