CHAPTER TWO - MARK'S ANTICS

The next morning, Anna woke to the sound of her roommate, Jenna, bustling around their small shared kitchen. "Morning, sleepyhead!" Jenna called out cheerfully. "Want some coffee?" Anna yawned, stretching as she sat up in bed. "That would be amazing, thanks." She shuffled into the kitchen, where Jenna was pouring two steaming mugs of coffee. "Big plans for today?" Jenna asked, handing Anna a mug. Anna nodded, taking a sip. "The usual. Classes, work, study. You?" "Got a big presentation in my marketing class," Jenna replied. "I'm so nervous!" "You'll do great," Anna reassured her. "You always do." The girls chatted as they got ready for their day. Anna laid out her favorite white blouse on her bed, planning to change into it before her shift at the restaurant. "Oh, shoot!" Jenna exclaimed, glancing at her phone. "I'm going to be late!" In her haste, Jenna knocked into Anna, who was holding her coffee mug. Time seemed to slow as the dark liquid arced through the air, landing with a splash on Anna's pristine white blouse. "Oh no!" Jenna gasped, horrified. "Anna, I'm so sorry!" Anna stared at the spreading stain, feeling a mix of frustration and resignation. "It's... it's okay," she said, trying to keep her voice level. "Accidents happen." Jenna rushed to grab a towel. "Maybe we can clean it off?" Anna shook her head. "No time. I'll just have to wear something else." As she changed into a different shirt, Anna could hear Jenna still apologizing profusely. "Jenna, really, it's fine," Anna insisted. "Go on, you'll be late for your presentation." After Jenna left, Anna allowed herself a moment of frustration. "Deep breaths," she told herself. "It's just a shirt. You've got bigger things to worry about." She hurried to her first class, sliding into her seat just as the professor began the lecture. Later, at the restaurant, Anna was in the middle of her shift when she overheard a heated conversation between her manager, Sarah, and another waiter, Mark. "But I've been here longer!" Mark was saying. "I should get the better shifts!" Sarah's voice was firm. "Mark, we've been over this. Shifts are assigned based on performance, not seniority." As Sarah walked away, Mark's gaze landed on Anna. His eyes narrowed. "It's because of you, isn't it?" he accused. "Always the perfect employee." Anna felt her cheeks flush. "Mark, that's not fair. I just do my job." "Yeah, well, some of us have bills to pay," Mark snapped. "We can't all be little miss perfect." Anna took a deep breath, reminding herself to stay professional. "Look, Mark, I know you're frustrated. But this isn't about me. Why don't we talk to Sarah together? Maybe we can work out a schedule that's fair for everyone." Mark looked surprised by her suggestion. "You'd do that?" Anna nodded. "Of course. We're a team, right? We should support each other." Mark's hostility seemed to deflate. "I... yeah, okay. Thanks, Anna. I'm sorry I snapped at you." "It's okay," Anna replied with a small smile. "Let's finish our shift and then we'll talk to Sarah." As Anna was preparing to leave work that evening, her phone buzzed with an unfamiliar number. "Hello?" she answered cautiously. "Anna? It's... it's your father." Anna froze, her heart pounding. "Dad? How did you get this number?" "Your mother gave it to me," he replied. "I'm in town. Can we meet?" Anna hesitated, a mix of emotions swirling inside her. "I... I guess so. Where?" "I'm actually outside your apartment building," her father said. "I hope that's okay." Anna's mind raced as she walked home. She hadn't seen her father in years, not since he'd made it clear he didn't support her decision to pursue culinary arts instead of law or medicine. As she approached her building, she saw him. He looked older, grayer, but still unmistakably her father. "Anna," he said, his voice gruff with emotion. "You've grown up." "That tends to happen, Dad," Anna replied, trying to keep her tone neutral. "Why are you here?" Her father shifted uncomfortably. "I... I wanted to see you. To talk." They made their way up to Anna's apartment in awkward silence. Once inside, Anna's father looked around, taking in the small space. "So, this is where you live," he said. "It's... cozy." Anna felt a flash of defensiveness. "It's what I can afford while I'm in school and working." Her father nodded. "About that... Anna, I know we didn't part on good terms. But I've been thinking... maybe I was too harsh." Anna raised an eyebrow. "Too harsh? Dad, you told me I was throwing my life away." "I know, I know," he said, holding up his hands. "I was wrong. I've seen some of the articles about you, about your work at the restaurant. You're doing well." Anna felt a mix of surprise and suspicion. "You've been keeping tabs on me?" Her father looked sheepish. "Your mother... she keeps me updated. Anna, I'm proud of you." The words hit Anna like a physical blow. Tears welled up in her eyes. "You're... proud of me?" "I am," he confirmed. "I didn't understand your passion before. But I do now. And I... I want to be part of your life again, if you'll let me." Anna took a shaky breath. "Dad, I... I don't know what to say. It's been so long, and it hurt so much when you didn't support me." Her father's eyes were filled with regret. "I know, sweetheart. And I'm sorry. I was wrong. Can you forgive an old man for being stubborn?" Anna felt years of pain and resentment warring with a desperate hope for reconciliation. Finally, she nodded. "It won't be easy," she warned. "We have a lot to work through." Her father smiled, relief evident on his face. "I know. But I'm willing to try if you are." As they talked into the night, Anna felt a weight lifting from her shoulders. It wasn't perfect, and there was still a long way to go, but it was a start. When her father finally left, promising to keep in touch, Anna closed the door and leaned against it, emotionally exhausted but oddly hopeful. "One day at a time," she reminded herself, a small smile playing on her lips. "One day at a time."