The loud sound of glass breaking fills Japps as four plates crash to the floor.

“Dang it,” I yell, “I’m sorry.”

“It happens,” Anna tells me, as she helps clean up the mess. “Just put their order in again so they can get their food as fast as possible.”

“One BLT, one fried shrimp platter and two chicken tender platters with barbecue sauce on the side," I tell the cook before rushing back to help clean the mess I made. "I cannot believe how much of a klutz I am.”

“I understand, just be glad the boss is not here. He would be pissed about wasting food. That is one of his biggest pet peeves.”

“Order up!” Yells the cook.

I quickly grab the food, paying careful attention to balancing it all on the tray as I walk to the customer’s table.

“I apologize for the wait, here is your food. Can I get y’all anything else?”

"We’re good.” A man replies.

“I’ll be back to check on you in a bit.”

The bell dings as the door opens, Anna says, “Welcome to Japps, have a seat anywhere you would like. One of us will be right with you.”

I look over to see it is Kimberly and her daughter.“I got this,” I say to Anna as I grab two menus and some crayons for Sarah.

"Hi there, I’m Darcie, and I will be serving you today. What can I start Y'all off with to drink?" I say as I hand Kimberly the menus and crayons.

“I thought I recognized you.It is good to see ya again, Darcie. I will have a sweet tea and Sara will have a lemonade.”

“Ok. I’ll be right back with your drinks.” I say as I walk away from the booth. “Here you go. Do you know what y’all want to eat?”

“She will have a grilled cheese and French fries, and I will have a steak, medium rare with a baked potato. I know ya just moved here, when did you start working here?”

"Today is my first day. I have already messed up a few orders, had plates fall and break, and I spilled a drink on myself."

“Sounds like you’re not having a good first day,” Kimberly giggles, “You’ll get the hang of it. Just trust yourself.”

"I am just nervous, but I will get it. I need to put your order in and check on a few other tables. I hope we can catch up later." I say while I race off to put in the order and check on the other customers in the diner.

“Can I get the check please?” asked Kimberly

“Of course,” I reply and go to the register to print off her check.“It was great bumping into you again.”

“Yes, it was,” Kimberly says, “What do you think of us hanging out sometime soon?

“Sounds like a plan. I cannot wait.” I tell her as I walk her to the door. Japps is now closed for the evening. Kimberly and her daughter are our last customers of the evening. “I am not working on Friday; wanna do something then?”

“Sounds like a plan. Meet you at the waterfalls around 10:30?”

“See ya then.”

As I go to shut the door to Japps to lock it up, Anna comes up to me and says, “Great job today, Darcie, I mean it.”

“You’re just saying that. I may not be cut out for this kind of job after all.”

“I mean it.”

“If you say so, I’ll see you tomorrow.” I smile at her as I walk towards my hotel room.

It is so refreshing walking at night. There are a few people out and about at ten in the evening, but it is nice to breathe in the country air. In Chicago, I had a hard time dealing with the crowds of people. I enjoy my privacy, which is probably because I grew up feeling alone for a good bit of my childhood. I always feel like everyone is judging me.

No one would leave me be in foster care. Even if my foster parents did leave to get high somewhere, I was the one left to take care of the younger children. I did not mind it though. The younger kids gave me a purpose while I was trying to find a way out of the system. They needed me, and I used to act like I hated it, but it was nice to feel wanted.

The air feels comfortable tonight. According to my phone weather app, it says it is around seventy degrees. I wish it could stay this weather year-round. The light breeze feels nice against my face. I pause from walking home for a moment and bend down to untie my white shoelaces and remove my shoes and socks.

Walking barefoot feels so much better than wearing shoes. The hotel, where I am staying at temporarily, is about three blocks from Japps. It is very convenient since I do not have a car yet. I plan to ask Kimberly if she wants to help me look for a place to rent Friday. I may not be able to move in quite yet since I will not have my check until next Friday, but at least I can get an idea of places to rent.

As I approach the hotel, I notice the perimeter of the hotel is lined with Red Maple Trees. I did not notice them two days ago when I arrived here. The tips of the pointed leaves are beginning to turn red. I really love these trees. I cannot remember the last time I paid attention to nature. I really find nature beautiful. I make it to room number 143 and open my door.The room has one king size bed, a brown desk, and a mini fridge with a microwave that rest on top of it. I pull the green comforter off the bed and throw it on the floor before climbing under the sheets. As I turn off the light, I situate my pillow and doze off.

I awaken to the sound of birds singing. Man, I have not slept that good in a long time. Stretching my arms outward, I release a huge yawn, before plopping my arms back onto my bed. I glance at the watch my brother Derek have me and realize it is ten in the morning. I quickly jump out of bed and rush to get ready to meet Kimberly at the waterfalls. I cannot believe I forgot to set the alarm. Oh well, it is not that far of a walk from the hotel to the waterfalls. I grab my room key and rush out the door.

Kimberly is sitting on the huge rock I was resting on the other day watching Sarah splash in the water. By the time I make it over to her, I am sweating. I take a seat next to her.

“I thought we were meeting at 10:30?”

“I know, I am sorry. Work has been busy and trying to adjust to the schedule, I was looking forward to sleeping in. I was exhausted. I forgot to set my alarm. I am sorry.”

“It’s all good, I was joking if anything. Sarah has been begging me to get ready to come here since the moment she woke up.”

We sit there and watch Sarah play in the water, and I realize I may finally have a friend whom I do not have to leave behind, and that makes me happy. This is going to work out.

“Wanna go grab a bite to eat at Japps for lunch?”

“Sounds like a plan. I am starving.”