Esttelle Case

Estelle

"Estelle! What are you doing sitting down!? The lunch crowd is pouring in and we need you to wait tables. After all that's what I pay you for, isn't it?" I stood up out of my chair startled by the sound of Raylan's screeching. So much for trying to pretend I was anywhere other than Max's Cafe. That's what I try to do on my breaks; pretend I'm anywhere but here. This is how my normal day starts. On Saturday, Sunday, and holidays, I get up at 6 to walk the ten blocks to Max's. There I work 7 am to 7 pm while only getting a five minute break, which is actually 2 minutes, because Raylan comes in the middle and tells me to stop laying around and get back to work. Speaking of which, Raylan is my manager, but she thinks she own the place.

"HELLO! I said I want a grilled chicken salad, an iced tea, and strawberry shortcake. Were you not listening or are you just stupid?"

"N-n-no, Ma'am, I'll get your food."

I can't stand people who think they are better than others because they have money. Which most do, even Raylan. We don't even have money for bus tickets, which explains why I'm walking to work. It's just my mom, my baby sister Regina, and me. Uh oh, Raylan is storming over here, that snooty customer probably told her that she shouldn't hire Mexicans if they don't' "speak English." She probably refused to pay; I swear they do it on purpose just they won't have to pay.

"Estelle, may I have a word with you in the back?'' (I'm in trouble!)

What do you think you are doing! That woman is threatening to shut this place

down on account of you not getting her order right. Can't you just

once not act like the Mexican you are..."

"Actually, I'm Cuban."

"Cuban, Mexican, same thing! I hope you know this is coming out of your paycheck. One more screw-up and you're fired! Understand!?!"

"Yes Ma'am."

"Now get back to work!"

I hate that woman! First she yells at me in front of everybody, then she belittles

my nationality, and now she's going to take it out of my pay when she's

already taking money out and putting it in her paycheck! I was so mad I could

break something but I need all the money I have, so I don't. It's finally time for me to leave. At home, I start on dinner and wait for my mom and sister . I usually use this time to go over the day, but I'm