The Job, Mary-Kate Olsen

Chapter Eight

There was nothing like Christmas in New York. Today was already the 15th of December. Which means I have been working at The Row for two weeks now. It was strange how I felt like the first time I stepped into that hall was two weeks ago. That time when I observed the wall of pictures and magazines. Time had flown by so fast. But still, so many things had happened within those two weeks that it was hard to remember what I used to make of my days before.

My mom and my sister will be visiting me for the holidays. They are both in France so I decided I would meet them there and enjoy a few days in Paris before we all fly to New York. It had been a while since I haven't been there. Paris reminded me so much of my childhood. Those times where I would walk down the streets and wonder where all these people were going. This is something that has always fascinated me. I couldn't imagine that all the people you see have different lives. Maybe that girl I had seen at the Café, sitting with her laptop and people-watching, was writing the book that would make tomorrow's news. Or maybe that student I saw when I visited the Harvard campus was going to become the next President of the United States. Maybe the man I saw walking on the Brooklyn Bridge was a murderer. I heard once that we pass about thirty-six murderers in our lifetime. But I guess we'll never know who was one unless you are their next victim.

I opened the doors of the coffee shop and entered. The place was always pleasant, but it was even better at Christmas. The roof was decorated with red velvet Christmas garland and sparkling Christmas baubles. I noticed Florence, standing behind the counter, as per usual. I waved and she waved back. I had never seen her with her hair up. She always let it down, unlike today when it was tied up in a loose bun. 

"Mary-Kate went by this morning." Florence said. I tilted my head. "She already got her coffee?" I asked. "No no, she went here to tell me that you had to buy one extra coffee today. Not just the usual two." I nodded as she gave me more information. "Did she say what type of coffee for the extra one?" She shook her head and shrugged. "Well, I'll take the same as she takes so it's a safe choice." I said and she started making the three coffees.

Florence was quiet this morning. We always chatted while she prepared my orders. Today, not a word. I took advantage of the silence to observe her. Not in a creepy way, but simply by watching how she prepared the coffee. She started by preparing two double doses of espresso, one for each coffee. Then she added matcha to the third. Once the espressos were ready, she poured them into a larger cup and added milk to all three.

"There you go" She said with a small voice as she placed the warm drinks on the counter. I thanked her and wiped Mary-Kate's credit card into the payment machine. This was usually the moment when we would say goodbye, but instead, I paused for a moment and looked at her.

"Is something wrong?" I asked, not wanting to assume.

Her face fell and she looked down for an instant and sighed.

"Do you remember when I told you I was studying English to be a translator?" I nodded and she continued. "They refused me. They said they weren't looking for anyone at the moment and that they would contact me in the future if further due. But you know what that means... It means they won't need anyone for a very long time. But I don't have a very long time ahead of me. I graduated in November and now I'm supposed to get a job as soon as I can."

I stayed silent for a moment. I wanted to tell her that even if she didn't get that particular job right now, it didn't mean she would never become a translator in the future. She would still have plenty of opportunities ahead of her. So, I did so and explained her how maybe she could start by being a teacher and in a few years when she'll be more experienced, apply for a job as a translator. She nodded.

"You should go, Ana, you're gonna be late" She said and smiled, probably trying to change the topic or lighting the mood.

"Yeah," I chuckled.