Read Online Cast & Fall by Janice Hadden - Free Book Online

when I
made subtle hints how it aged him. He was slender and definitely had
the good looks for a middle aged model of a fashion clothing
magazine. He must have been a ladies man back in the days, but even
now, women flock over him. Small traces of lines creased his forehead
and some deep lines have crept up around his eye area. Hints of gray,
made his subtle salt and pepper hair, suit him as a respectable
father—but still, a looker at the age of fifty. He loved to
fish, hunt and shoot. When I was younger, we went fishing a lot,
though I tolerated shooting more, even though I wasn’t good at
the aiming part. He couldn’t really teach me how to be
coordinated.
    “ There’s
pizza!” that’s the way Steve said hello, how’s your
day and here’s dinner, when he‘s favorite team was on—I
like it. He’s so easy going and easy to live with. He was never
a strict father growing up. He had such a wisdom as a parent that
made you think twice before you did anything that would jeopardize
your future—he laid out the pros and cons—and that was
usually enough to deter me from making stupid mistakes. I always felt
like the choices were mine to make as well as it’s
consequences. Of course, I knew whenever he didn’t agree with
anything and I always felt, I had to be responsible enough to do the
right thing. Our personalities seemed to be in sync and I always felt
proud of him as my father—he had integrity.
    “ Dad,
I forgot to tell you that I got the job at the Blue Lagoon and I’m
starting tonight…I’ll be back around eleven thirty.”
    “ Okay,
sweetie, be careful.” I only have half an hour to eat and get
ready. I devoured the pizza and chugged the ice cold water. I drank
so fast my throat burned cold. I rushed to change and ran down the
stairs to give Steve a peck on his cheek. “Don’t wait up,
Dad.” I yanked my purse from the kitchen counter before I
sprinted to my car.
    It
was a good fifteen minute drive to the restaurant. There was very low
traffic. Still, I felt I couldn’t get there fast enough. The
knot in my stomach tightened as I approached the corner. Veering into
the parking lot, I immediately noticed the crowd of people that
assembled in front, forming a curved line to get in. I parked at the
last row available on the west corner. I killed the engine and
grabbed my purse. I opened the door and slammed it shut and pressed
my key lock, setting my alarm on.
    I
was nervous more than usual. I wasn’t really sure why. I
usually prep myself up for these things, especially when I have to do
and start something new. But I had been so busy that I was just
running from one thing to another. Normally new employees were
trained as a hostess, then progressed to being a waitress. But as
Becca already explained to me— we’re
short on people— and
that I needed to learn fast. So I will be taking orders tonight;
something I have never done before. Though the thought occurred to me
that this was something that wasn’t entirely difficult. I mean,
I eat out…specifically, I have eaten here before, and that
should give me enough of an idea, how things worked.
    From
a distance I could see the massive Blue Lagoon sign—bright,
blue waters cascading and a beautiful marlin fish swimming in it. The
front of the restaurant was surrounded by nice landscaping. Large
glass windows surrounded the modern steel architecture of the
building. Two sets of handmade surfboard benches facing each other
was just right outside the front entrance. I grabbed the metal,
fish-looking door handle and swung in to get inside. It was more
crowded inside than I realized.
I suddenly felt a wash of intimidation as I saw the crisscrossed line
of people crowding in front. I looked for Becca immediately. As I
approached the Employees
Only sign, my eye caught her back as she entered the door to the main office.
I followed her.
    “ Hey
Becca,” I yelled from a distance. She came toward me in her
usual happy greeting.
We gave each other a