“I’d like a small choka mocha…. decaffeinated, and no whipped cream”, screeched another of the customer voices that scratched at the walls of my brain like a cheese grater. Hold it together, Spence, I told myself. Just another hour.

            “I’m sorry, we don’t carry any ‘choka mocha’. Our drink options are on the menu that you can find right behind me” I gestured lazily towards the wall behind me, on which an enormous menu was written in gigantic letters that a blind person couldn’t miss. Okay, maybe a blind person could miss it. “And also, for future reference, the drink size you are referring to is tall. They come in tall, grande, and venti.” I said in a voice as sweet as I could muster.

            “Well, my friend told me you have choka mochas. But since you refuse to comply, I suppose I’ll make do with a Java Chip Frappuccino. Tall.” The woman said indignantly.

            “Tall Java Chip Frap!” I called over my shoulder to the employee making the drinks. “That’ll be $3.25” She pulled a fifty out of her wallet and slid it across the table top. I looked at her for a moment before acting. I had to give her change for a fifty? Seriously?

             I ran my fingers through the money in my hand one more time, checking that I was returning the correct amount.

            “Here’s your change, have a nice day” I said half-heartedly. I was hit with a tiny pang of remorse that I was acting out on my bad mood, but today just couldn’t seem any longer.

            I was clearing the register when the next customer came up. “What can I get for you, today?” I asked in my routine way, without looking up.

            “Hmmm… well I think I’ll take a Spencer” chimed a familiar voice. Its funny how quickly one’s spirits can fly. My eyes shot up and beheld her shining face, that contagious smile sparkling in its perfect way.

            “Well that will cost you one hour”, I laughed. “My shift doesn’t end until 5:30”

            “Nonsense”, She replied quickly. “Sydney!” She called confidently. Sydney was Avery’s older sister. She also happened to be the manager of this Starbucks. How she lasted long enough to climb that Starbucks employment ladder, I’ll never know. I’d only been working here for about 6 months and I wasn’t too keen on my future here. Sydney, though, seemed to live for this place. It was her pride and joy- and she made that clear on those frequent nights when she would stay after hours to make each table sparkle.