Chapter Text
The light filtered in through the large window of the nearly empty café as she passed a damp rag over each of the tables. She was alone except for the middle aged man seated in the back corner nursing his third cup of black coffee. It was just before eleven o’clock which meant the lunch rush would be starting soon. She could hear her co-workers in the back, as they made the final preparations on today’s special. She walked back to the counter, deposited her rag into a bucket, smoothed her apron, and exhaled. It was her second week working at Clayton’s, and only her third living in National City.
“Kara,” her boss, Clayton, shouted, “we need the bowls from the dishwasher!”
Kara moved to the back of the restaurant and grabbed the stack of bowls, carrying them out to the front, and placing them in neat stacks next to the vat of steaming soup that had just been situated in the warmer. Clayton appeared by her side, placing his hand on her shoulder. “Thanks. You’re doing a great job.” Kara smiled weakly and shifted away from him, trying not to let her uneasiness show. Just then, the little bell above the door chimes, alerting them to the arrival of a customer. Clayton smiled as he greeted the young mother who had just entered the café, two little ones in tow.
Clayton is the owner of his namesake cafe, the newest downtown lunch spot, tucked into the corner just one block away from L-Corp, the newest skyscraper to dot the skyline of National City. He’s an attractive man with an average build and warm brown eyes. He always looks as though he’s forgotten to shave for a few days, but the scruffy look works for him. Kara practically had to beg him for the job, as he was looking for someone with more experience, but she assured him that she would work hard, and learn quickly. Clayton hired her on the spot, and has been nothing but kind to her since.
Kara rings up the mother and her children as a line begins to form. This is her favorite part of the day, as the lunch rush makes the last part of her shift go by quickly. Her shift is long, but she likes the 6AM-2PM schedule. The restaurant finally clears and when Kara checks the clock again, it’s 1:27; she’s almost done. She walks to the back to grab some water, and just as she takes a sip, she hears the bell above the door announcing the arrival of late-lunch straggler. She sighs as she makes her way back out to the front. “I’m sorry for making you wait,” Kara apologizes, “How may I help you?”
The dark-haired woman looks up, her red lips turned into a slight smile that doesn’t quite reach her eyes. “No need to apologize,” she replies looking around for a menu. “Is there a—“
“We only have one once choice for each item daily. Today we have a turkey wrap, cheddar broccoli soup, or a half and half combo.” Kara interjects.
“That’s something new. I like it. I’ll have the combo please, and a bottle of water.”
Kara quickly assembled the wrap and ladled the soup into a container. She placed the items in a bag, along with some plastic utensils and napkins, and grabbed a water from the cooler case. Pulling off her plastic gloves, she returned to the register and rang up the order. “That’ll be $8.65 please.” Kara swept aside the stray blonde hair that had dislodged itself from her visor.
The dark-haired woman pulled a crisp $10 bill from her purse and handed it to Kara, before turning to walk away.
“Uh, Miss, your change!” Kara called out after her.
“Keep it.” The unnamed woman replied, smiling over her shoulder as she crossed the threshold and disappeared into the crowded downtown sidewalk.
Kara shook her head as she stuffed the bills into the tip jar beside the register. She didn’t know it yet, but her life had just been changed forever.
*****
Kara turned the key to her sister’s apartment, pushing her way through the heavy door. She dropped her bag on the counter and collapsed into the couch with a sigh. Alex wouldn’t be home for a few more hours and Kara fully intends to enjoy the quiet. Of course, Kara loves her sister, but she’s going to want to talk, and if there’s one thing Kara doesn’t want to do right now, it’s talk. She doesn’t want to talk about why she suddenly left her job, her apartment, her friends, her whole life back in Midvale. She doesn’t want to talk about why she showed up at Alex’s apartment just after midnight, three weeks ago asking if she could stay. She doesn’t want to talk about what happened, but eventually she’s going to have to, but for now, she’s content to just watch mindless television.
*****
It’s just after 5 when she hears Alex at the door. “Hey, how was work?” Kara calls out to the older woman.
“I’m glad it’s over. Are you hungry? I picked up pizza.”
“Now you’re speaking my language.” Kara reaches out for the boxes Alex has placed on the coffee table. She pulls a piece of pizza onto her plate and opens a can of soda. Alex flops down on the other end of the sofa. She takes a drink of the bottle of beer she pulled from the fridge. The two sisters exchange stories of their day while they finish off the better part of two pizzas. Kara leans back on the couch, trying to avoid Alex’s gaze.
“Kara,” Alex finally breaks the silence. “Are you going to tell me what’s going on?”
Kara sighs. “Alex, I--I just--I’m not ready yet.” Alex looks at her sister with kind, understanding eyes. Kara looks down at the floor, then meets her sister’s loving gaze. “I promise I’ll tell you, I just need a little more time.”
Alex nods and reaches for the remote. “Movie time?”
Kara smiles. “Only if it’s not a horror movie again.”
Alex sighs, “You always ruin all my fun.”
Alex nudges Kara’s shoulder with her own before throwing a pillow at her younger sister. They settle into the couch and start the movie. Kara pulls the blanket up over herself and stretches her legs over Alex’s lap. They’ll talk eventually, but for right now, this is all Kara needs.