[Write the Story] Two Best Friends are Baristas

Prompt: Two Best Friends are Baristas

Words: coffee, molehill, insulation, sneakers, inspire, pencil, embroidery, justify, loveless, pane

Story

“How can you do embroidery after all the caffeine?” Emily asked, her sneakers slapping rhythmically on the wood-plank floor.

Helen smiled serenely as she continued working on the intricate pane design. “Maybe I’m the one person coffee doesn’t effect. Or maybe I just have better focus.”

“Well, you inspire me to find a way to block out this place.” Emily shifted to pull a pencil out of a pocket of her skinny jeans and pulled a napkin closer to doodle.

“That’s a nice molehill.” Helen looked up from her needlepoint.

“It’s a mountain thank you very much. Uh oh. We’re getting the stink eye from Byron. I guess our break is over. Time to get back to our loveless job.”

“Oh come now, we’re baristas not sweatshop workers. You’re being overly dramatic.”

“Girls! Don’t make me justify your paychecks. Get back to work.”

“Hah. Like we don’t earn those pittances.” Emily tied her apron.

“Think of it this way.” Helen set espresso to brew and steamed soy milk. “We’re insulation between the Wrath of Byron and the younger kids.”

“Well, if he’s not careful he might meet the wrong end of a grinder.”

The words were barely out of her mouth when there was a high-pitched scream followed by a crash.

Word Count: 211

Written: 11/14/17

Tags: barista, Coffee, fiction, flash fiction, Piccadilly, Write the Story