Page 3 of No Mercy

The Seafood Festival was a popular event in Cedar Key. For the two days that it went on it brought in a lot of revenue for vendors of all types. Folks just didn’t go there to gorge themselves on fresh seafood, they also spent money at the craft booths and quaint little shops in the area. Plus, homeowners took advantage of the influx of people by setting up garage sales. It was a win-win for everyone.

I earned extra income from the generous tips that tourists left, so much so that I was able to squirrel some aside for a rainy day. The locals weren’t as generous, because they frequented the area restaurants more for socializing than for the fabulous food that was offered. I made okay money as a waitress at the Cedar Key Krab Shack, a fairly new restaurant on the beach, and that’s all that mattered to me. My priority was providing a decent living for me and my son.

Having Sam was my one constant joy in life. He was the light that made everything worth living for. He was full of life, adventurous, smart, always smiling, his little eyes always twinkling with mischief and wonder. He had blue eyes like me and his dad, and the same messy, dark hair. There were times when his expressions mirrored Rock’s so much that I felt a pain in my heart, and then loneliness for him would follow. Even after all these years, I still wished that things had worked out differently between us. He should have been part of his son’s life.

“Where are you, girl?” I blinked, pulling myself back to the present. Jenny’s face was close to mine, a curious smile on her pretty face. “You look like you’re a hundred miles away.”

“More like a thousand,” I responded, returning her smile.

“Table five asked for you,” she went on to say. “I think they’re ready to leave.”

Thank, God,I couldn’t help thinking. Finally! It was the end of my shift and I was exhausted. I’d pulled a double, something I didn’t mind doing once in a while because it meant more money. The family at table five had shown up hours ago for a party. The eight women had been loud, demanding, and yet friendly as they celebrated their grandmother’s eightieth birthday. Being my last table of the night, I couldn’t say that I’d be sorry to see them leave. My feet were killing me!

With a smile plastered on my face I approached their table. “Is there anything else I can get anyone?” The automatic question slipped out before I could think about what I was doing.

Everyone made eye contact with the woman sitting next to grandma before she looked up at me and said, “No, thank you, I think we’re all done. Could we get the check?”

“Sure.”

“Oh, and a couple of take home boxes,” the woman added as I swung around to leave.

“You got it,” I said, smiling back at them, excited that my shift would soon be over.

I rolled my eyes at Jenny as I strolled toward the cash register. She scooted to the side so I could tally up their check.

I could feel her looking over my shoulder. “Ohmygod!” she whispered close to my ear. “That’s gonna be a huge tip for you.”

“If they tip,” I responded, knowing that it was always a possibility that they wouldn’t. All of us at one time or another had gotten stiffed by a big table. Once they put their eyes back into their heads after seeing the enormous amount they’d run up, there was usually nothing left for a tip, or they felt that they’d already spent enough on food and drinks. Unless they had waitressing experience they had no clue that we didn’t even make minimum wage.

“They’re women, they’ll tip good.” I gave Jenny a smile. She was right, women did seem to get it more than a lot of men. “You should get at least forty dollars.”

I hoped so, that could go toward Christmas gifts for Sam. I finished the tally, grabbed three boxes and three bags, and headed back to the table. “Who gets the bad news?” I joked, setting the boxes and bags down and holding the check close to my chest.

“I do.” The same woman who’d asked for the check held out her hand.

I handed it to her before addressing the whole table. “I hope ya’ll had a great time tonight and will come back to see us.”

“Oh, we’ll be here for the Seafood Festival,” one woman said. “We come every year.”

“Kind of knock out two birds with one stone,” another added, gaining a laugh from the others.

“Grandma loves Cedar Key, she’d been coming here with grandpa for fifty years until he passed away. So we decided to pick up where he left off by bringing her here for her birthday and the festival.”

“I see,” I smiled, turning my attention to the elderly woman sitting at the end of the table close to me. “You’re a lucky woman to have such a thoughtful family.”

“I am, dear.” Her voice cracked with age, her smile revealing her happiness. “God has blessed me.” Her eyes were crystal clear and as blue as the waters off the Bahamas. I couldn’t help but wonder about all the wonders she’d witnessed over her lifetime.

“Here you go.”

I took the check and credit card and went back to the register to run it through. Once all looked good I returned to the table and set the slip down onto the corner. “It was a pleasure, ladies. Enjoy your time here at Cedar Key.”

“We’ll leave your tip in cash,” someone mentioned.

“Thank you so much.” There was nothing else for me to do until they left. “Take care, now.” When I turned I saw Jenny clearing one of her tables and decided to help her out. We had bus boys, but they got off at eleven, even if there were still people eating. That meant that the waitresses had to clear their own tables, which was usually only one or two.

“I am so tired,” Jenny commented while stacking plates in her arms. “As soon as I get home I’m hitting the bed.”

I chuckled. “You’re assuming the kids are asleep?” Jenny had three kids between the ages of ten and sixteen.