“That’s the third time this week, Riley!” a voice called out revealing sheer annoyance from tardiness.

“I’m sorry Mac, it’s just that…”

“Zip it Riley! Just get right to work, I’ll talk with you later!”

“Sure thing boss!” Riley exclaimed while letting out a sigh of disbelief, as she wrapped a small white cloth around her waste and a tray with orders on it from customers.

“You okay Cinder chica?” the lady behind the counter called out in concern.

“Nothing that’s new news, Ann,” Riley reasoned while giving and accepting sitting customers’ orders. “Just a typical morning…oh except you’ll never guess what I found in my parking lot today!”

“What? A perfect man sent down from heaven?” Ann kidded while continuing to her customer, “Here’s your Grande latte and blueberry muffin to go. That will be $9.50 in total”

“I’m not that lucky! No, I found a little blue parakeet that had a broken wing. I had to bring him to that pet shop near my house to get his wing fixed”

“Aw, well aren’t you just a modern day Mother Teresa…thank you, have a good day!”

“The lady that worked there told me that finding an injured bird and helping it out is good luck,” Riley exclaimed while a tone of excitement seemed to have trailed from her voice.

“Yeah right, those superstitious freaks! Get your heads out of the cloud Rile, it won’t get you anywhere!”

“I know but…it wouldn’t be such a bad thing if it was real. To finally have something go right, that sure is would be nice for a change.”

“Hey Ren and Stimpy, answer me one thing: am I paying you two to chit-chat or do I actually require for you both to work?” Mac called out from behind the curtain where he worked on some paperwork for the store. “Now less talk and more work!”

“Yes sir, Grumpy Clause!” Ann grumbled under her breath while looking at Riley whom laughed at her friend’s comment. “Now we know who’s going to be getting a lump of coal in their stocking from Jolly old St. Nick this coming Christmas, now do we?”