The Adventures of Josie

“GOOD MORNING LADIES!”

Josie was becoming bored with the routine. At least the waking up part of it. She showered, got dressed, brushed her teeth, put on makeup and made her bed before grabbing a sweatshirt and going outside. Brian was waiting at the door for her like the day before. He said “morning” before putting an arm around her shoulders walking her to breakfast. Josie got her coffee and they grabbed a booth near the exit. Josie slid into the left side and Brian immediately sat next to her. Josie just shook her head. She knew if she told Brian to move he’d just be more determined to stay and it wasn’t as if he was blocking her in and forcing her to eat today. Josie drank her coffee and Brian ate a bowl of cheerios. There was only two other people in the entire cafeteria not counting Jefferson.
Jefferson was the only constant employee the cafeteria had. Every day, rain or shine no matter what Jefferson was there to make breakfast, lunch and dinner for every student. He was a nice old man, always smiling and making small talk while filling trays and running back and fourth from the ovens and the cooler. All the other cafeteria workers were students usually borrowed from the culinary class and sometimes hired after they’d proven themselves dependable. They usually didn’t last too long for whatever reason but you’d never notice the short handedness with Jefferson around. He was a man that understood his responsibilities and never shirked them. Other staff members on the other hand, well there were some good and some bad just like anywhere but most were in between; only really doing their job when someone was looking or telling them to do it. Jefferson was a man everyone admired even though most places cafeteria workers were barely acknowledged, let alone respected.
The other two people were an R.A. from the dorms to supervise and “straight edge” John; an extremely religious 19 year old who seemed extremely out of place at job corps. Mostly, no one talked to him. Josie had tried once and ended up getting a lecture about God, sins, heaven and hell. She figured that was why no one else talked to him but no one new for sure. Even though “straight edge” John was straight edge it was common knowledge he was on medication for some sort of disorder he had. Everyone said he was bi-polar but Josie didn’t know for sure. He was eating a muffin and drinking water while reading a book so it was mostly silent except for the kitchen noises and the sound from the radio the R.A. had. All the staff had radios and at first Josie hadn’t understood why. After a few days she learned they were more important than any other form of communication. When a fight broke out radios all over would be going off; calling for back up to restrain the students, or they were just used to pinpoint the location of a staff member.
Brian finished his cheerios and waited for Josie to finish her coffee. When she was done Brian grabbed her cup and his bowl and brought it to the window. Josie stood and waited for him next to the door and when he reached her he grabbed her hand and pulled her outside. Once the door closed behind them Brian pulled her into his arms and kissed her. Josie pulled away.

“SNOW?!” she exclaimed.

“Shut up, Josie. You’re ruining the moment.” he said pulling her back into his arms and kissing her again. Josie did as she was told realizing he was telling the truth; being kissed passionately while snow fluttered down around them in the quiet of the morning was romantic. As soon as Josie thought that the beauty of the moment hit her and she realized just how different Brian was from what she’d first thought. Not that she was wrong, oh no, Brian was still an asshole, but not all the time. Right now, he was the sweetest guy Josie had ever known.

They’d kissed in the snow until they heard what sounded like the door closing. They’d broken apart fast but no one was there. Brian brushed one last kiss across her lips before taking her hand and walking with her up the hill. Near the top he let go and of course, the game was resumed.