The Miller Girls (Not finished)

Evelyn-Mae

"Evelyn, there are some customers at table two who have been waiting to take their order!" Katie, my co-worker informed me, whilst rushing past with a hand full of dishes.

After finishing school, I took the opportunity to work in a Cafe (Rise & Shine) down the road from my house, convenient for any emergency situation where I might need to rush home. Ever since my mum died last summer, my dad is determined to pass the business onto me some day. Countless times he has been hinting that he is hoping to start my training now, but if I'm being honest, I have no interest in running the company. I'm not fond of the thought, being cooped up in a little office day after day. I haven't had the courage to break it to dad, however. Not yet anyway.

On top of work, being the eldest girl, I feel it's my responsibility to take over the roles my mum once took care of. Never did I think it would be so much - I'd never paid much attention to all the work mum handled. Not only did she work full time at the local primary school but found time to run a good life for all her seven girls.

As time has passed, I've gotten used to mum not being around, but our family has never been the same. We don't share the warm closeness feeling we used to have; family game nights no longer take place on Friday nights; a regular routine of arguments take place, without mum there to make everything better and the worst is how distant dad has been. Mum was everything to him. I don't know what he'd do without the business to keep him occupied. It worries me sometimes, but I've never known what to do about it. Most of the time I act like everything's fine. Like our family has always been the same. Sometimes I'll feel a sting of guilt though, forgetting there was a time where it wasn't just my dad.

The worst part is when someone asks me how I'm doing. Before, I'll be perfectly normal, my thoughts filled with the usual, useless worries, like if I remembered to empty the dishwasher or something stupid like that.

Then out of the blue, someone will look at me with the famous sympathetic look and the question I always dread,

"Hey, how you holding up? How's the family?"

That's when it all comes flooding back. Memories of my mum, happy moments where we're all laughing like there's no care in the world. It almost brings me to tears and can barely stifle a reply.

But we are slowly recovering and accepting that this is normal for us now. We do our best to help our dad out around the house, we are a well-off family who are all loved and that's all we can ask for.

With it being the last week of summer, everyone took the chance to cherish the sun while it lasts, autumn approaching like wildfire.

The café has been packed through out the week and I haven't had much of a break. Half of our customers are young people, eager for a place to hang out with their friends. Every so often, my sisters will venture into 'Rise & Shine'. I think it's only because they can get a discount, being related to one of the workers and all that.

Violet uses it to her advantage, bringing as many friends as she can. I don't blame her to be honest, I'd probably do the same.

I feel I have finally settled in and gotten to know my fellow co-workers. Rodger and his wife, Katherine, are the owners of the cafe and only really like me because I bring in many customers. Katie and I have become close, and even meet up every now and then on the weekends. There are also the odd few people who I haven't interacted with, but there's no rush to know everyone immediately.

Henry Moore. He's a tall, handsome, young man, (a year older than me I believe) with blond straw-like hair and crystal blue eyes that light up the day. He has strong facial features and a charming smile. I don't see him much, however, since he trains in an army-based camp and only pops into the café once and a while. He's the kind of guy you dream about from a romantic novel.

His dad, Oscar Moore, is a real estate agent and owns a successful company, and him and my dad have never met eye to eye. I think its childish, having a rivalry at age 46, but my dad wont let it go. He says, and I quote, "It gives me the push I need to really achieve something big."

Surely, he can still succeed without being involved in a race to see who's better than who. I always thought that type of thing was done and over with by primary school, but I guess not.

Katie always teases me and persists that I should ask Henry out sometime, but I don't think I can. It's not that I don't want to, it's just... well, I don't know really.

"Evelyn, Henry just walked in," Katie nudged me one quiet afternoon at the café, "Now's your chance." She insisted.

"Katie, I told you, I'm not asking him out, so you're just going to have to deal with it." I told her, not wanting to get into any detail.

"Fine." she moaned, only seconds later, however an evil grin formed on her face. I've learned, much like many others, that you don't mess with Katie. If Katie wants something, there's no doubt she'll get it.

"If you're not interested, then I guess you wouldn't mind me asking him out." She announced, followed by throwing a dish cloth over her shoulder and leaving to go take Henry's order.

I'm beginning to rethink this whole friendship. How does she know me so well? Then again, Katie specializes in these things. I wouldn't be surprised if one day she revealed that she was a mind reader. She might as well be.

"Katie, can I speak to you for a moment." I called to her from behind the counter.

She sent me a smile, pretending she had no idea what I wanted when she obviously did.

"Yeah?" she innocently asked, increasing my patience.

"Fine, I'll do it if it means you'll give up your evil schemes." I sighed, accepting that I wasn't going to win.

She gave me a triumphant grin and pushed me in the direction to Henry's table.

I know its silly, but as I neared to his table panic began to rise in my chest, unsure of the reaction I would receive. I turned around to face Katie, about to chicken out when she shook her head and mouthed 'Go. Now!'

I plucked up all the courage I could muster and made my way over to Henry. The café bell rang in my ears, indicating someone had entered. Of course, it's none other than Oscar Moore. I couldn't ask him while his dad was sat right next to him.

Stupid as I am, I, for some reason, decided the best choice would be to dive behind the counter and hide. Idiot! Katie gave me a weird look, half confused, half disappointed. I dropped my head in my hands, ashamed of the embarrassment I had caused myself.

Ever since then, I have made a life changing promise to myself to never listen to Katie's advice.

As much as id like to put the blame on Katie, it's clear that It was my fault. Still, there's no chance I'm doing something out of my comfort zone. Not to mention, I've decided to do my best to avoid Henry Moore at all costs. Katie tells me I'm being ridiculous, and I'm not denying that she's wrong, but at this point I don't care.

The only problem is, not even two minutes ago, he walked into the cafe and I'm on duty. You can count on my luck!