Page 15 of Anti Player

I arrive at the building where the catering company is located. It’s an industrial location with a little sign that says: Lucy’s Fine Foods.

I walk in and the place is bustling with employees. A man looks up from his station. “Hi, I’m looking for Lucy.”

“Just head through that door over there and walk through the next two stations. Her office is at the back.”

“Thanks,” I say, and I head deeper inside. This is quite the business she has going. Maybe one day I will become a chef. That’s where my true passion lies, but I will accept any type of kitchen work for now.

I reach what must be Lucy’s office door. She’s looking down at her desk writing something, so I give the door a light knock. She looks up with a smile. “You must be Maddie.”

“Yes, nice to meet you.” I walk in and shake her hand.

“Please have a seat,” she says, pointing to the chair in front of her desk. The office isn’t fancy by any means. The furniture is simple. There are old filing cabinets along a wall and lots of papers everywhere. “Welcome to my organized chaos.” She smiles.

She doesn’t look like she is much older than me, so being the owner of this type of business is a huge accomplishment and very inspiring.

“Thanks so much for meeting me. I just moved to the city, and I really appreciate the opportunity,” I say, feeling jittery.

“My aunt, Nora, absolutely loves Ellie. If she asked for me to meet her friend, I couldn’t say no, but I do have to admit that I don’t know what I can offer you at this time. You don’t have any culinary school experience,” Lucy states.

“That is true, but I do have a knack for being in the kitchen. I could probably make anything you ask and make it look pretty too,” I assure.

Lucy laughs. “I don’t doubt that. We are looking for a sous chef but considering your lack of experience, and the high-end clientele we cater to, I can’t take any risks. I’ve worked hard to get where I am,” she explains.

“I understand,” I say.

“That being said,” Lucy continues. “I can start you off in the kitchen cleaning and cutting vegetables. I appreciate that isn’t what you were hoping for, but I can move you around a little and see what it is you can do. Also, we have waitstaff that joins us at events. They make good tips if that is something extra you’re willing to consider.”

“Definitely, I can’t be picky. Starting with cleaning and cutting vegetables is perfect,” I reply. Even though I hate the idea, I am used to being told I need to start at the bottom because of my lack of schooling. “And I am happy to be a server as well. I could use the extra money.”

“Great,” Lucy says. She reaches out and shakes my hand. “Glad to have you aboard.”

“Thanks. Glad to be part of your team,” I reply.

“I know it’s none of my business,” Lucy says. “But there are some top-notch culinary schools in the city. If you can get into one, it would really help your career.”

“I’ve thought about it, but I have a five-year-old son. I don’t want to be working and going to school. He needs me,” I explain.

“I get it. I have a seven-year-old daughter. It’s a lot of work,” Lucy says with a smile.

“Come, I’ll show you around and introduce you to some of the other kitchen staff. We’re prepping for a bat mitzvah in the Upper West Side tomorrow.”

We walk around the kitchen. It is made up of large rooms that basically connect with each other.

There are about five people working on the vegetables, which is also the cold salad section. Lucy introduces me to a girl named Taylor, a guy named Henry, a girl named Vivie, and another girl named Ali. They are all very welcoming. She tells me I can start working tomorrow and I thank her. She also tells me to speak with Taylor about the waitstaff schedule since she is in charge of it. Before I leave, I find Taylor and she says she can put me on for the bat mitzvah tomorrow, which is perfect.

I thank everyone and leave, but I am feeling like shit when I get in the car. I’m grateful for the job, but I want to make something out of myself. Maybe have my own restaurant one day. Now I will be washing vegetables and being a waitress. I should be happy, but I just feel like such a failure. I head back to my brother’s apartment because I don’t need to get Asher for a few hours. I just want a cup of coffee and to chill the heck out. Maybe I could read a good romance novel on my Kindle. Book boyfriends are always so much better than the real kind.

I’ve got AirPods in my ears, listening to “Bad Blood” by Taylor Swift when I open the door to my brother’s apartment. I feel emotionally drained from the interview. Lucy was nice but the job isn’t what I was hoping for, even though it’s something. I kick off my heels at the front door and begin to roll the sleeves of my blouse. I am going to bake a cake for Brett’s friend, Ellie. It’s because of her I got the job. I want to say thank you.

I begin to go through my brother’s kitchen. For a guy who doesn’t cook very much he has all the gadgets, and I am grateful. I set up my mixing bowls and take out the flour and sugar. I decide to make what Asher likes to call a funfetti cake. Brett mentioned they have a seven-year-old daughter and kids go crazy for sprinkles. With all my ingredients in the bowl I begin to mix. I’m dancing to more Taylor tunes and swinging my hips,feeling like I am really in my happy place in the kitchen. Cooking and baking relax me. My thoughts drift away and I’m vibing to the music.

A light tap on my shoulder causes my whisk to go flying out of my hand and the batter with it. I turn and scream because I am met with a wall of chest. Bare chest. Then hands are on my shoulders, and Kaleb is moving me away from him.

“What are you doing here?” I ask.

“Me?” he replies surprised.

“Yes, you. You don’t live here,” I remind him.

---