Holy Cannoli!
Volume 1 of the Chick-E Gets a Job Series
Copyright Mona Schmitt 2012
Published by Chick-E Limited at Smashwords
Chick-E is a trademark
Table of Contents
I flop down on my bed and an M&M falls out of my bra. I fall back and hope today never happened. There's fettuccini in my hair, pickle relish running down the front of my shirt and a big hole in the back of my pants. A piece of strawberry gum has stuck itself to the bottom of my shoe, so the entire way home, it was step, schlock, step, schlock, step, schlock, as my shoe kept sticking to the sidewalk. My cat, Zoey, jumps up to say hello but stops in her tracks, looks at me and sniffs. She turns and runs away. Does it get any worse than this?
Maybe I need to rewind a couple of days to get to the beginning of the story.
I was walking home two days ago. Sunshine was warming my face, birds were singing and the smell of lilac bushes was wafting through the air. I had a spring in my step, a smile on my face and hope in my heart. Walking past a local restaurant, I saw Mr. Romano putting a Help Wanted sign in the window. This was my lucky day! I was just thinking I needed to get a job and there's a sign. It was meant to be.
I take a quick right and walk into the restaurant. The restaurant has been in Mr. Romano's family for generations. It's called Mama Romano's. The dining room is cozy with dark red carpet, sage green padded booths and tables in the middle. They all have bright white tablecloths and a single red rose in a crystal bud vase. There are paintings on the wall of pasta and meatballs that were painted by Mr. Romano's great-great grandmother, Grand Mama Romano. The smell of garlic floats out of the kitchen and right to my nose. I take a deep breath. Nothing beats great Italian cooking! Yum!
"Mr. Romano, are you looking to hire someone?" I ask.
"Why yes, Chick-E. Our regular waitress sprained her ankle and I am looking for someone to fill in until she is better. Do you know of anyone, who might be looking?”
I respond, "It just so happens, I am!"
"Well that is good news, Chick-E!" says Mr. Romano. "You always have a smile on your face and I think my customers will love you! When can you start?"
"I can start tomorrow. What time should I get here?"
"If you come at three, I can train you for a couple of hours, before the dinner crowd comes in."
"Perfect! I will see you then.” I wave goodbye and walk home.