Christmas Night

The masses flocked to Tormino's on Christmas day. Groups of friends and families crowded around the tables that were too small, so there was not any walking room. Miles lost count of how many times he had to save Ramona when someone moved a chair, causing the waitress to fall.

"Maybe tonight you should work the bar," he offered as he pulled her back up.

"I wanted to, but Anita is working at the bar since the people there are ordering alcohol."

Miles sighed, pulling Ramona with him out of the fray and past Oliver as he led a group of college students to a booth.

"Try to stay safe," he made her promise, Ramona nodding as the usual pink dusted her cheeks. She then dashed off to the bar to grab the next order she needed to deliver. Miles put the menus he had been carrying back where they belonged, while Oliver was ringing up a group of customers.

"If you keep this up, she will forever have pink cheeks," teased Oliver as Miles felt his cheeks warm up.

"I don't want her to hurt herself. That's all."

"Oh, Miles, Ramona showed me the necklace you got her. Very pretty," complimented Anita, who was servicing a customer near the register.

"You got her a necklace? What's it look like?"

Miles glanced over to Ramona, who was setting out food at the customer's tables. The teddy bear pendant nestled under her collar glistened under the ceiling light. For some reason, it was one he couldn't quite place, but it seemed right when he saw it online.

"You like her,” Anita asked and Miles jumped back in surprise before grimacing. Both Oliver and Anita were looking at him with hopeful eyes.

"Don't you have customers to wait on?" Miles quipped back.

"Don't you have a waitress to save from falling?" asked Oliver.

Miles passed them to go to the kitchen window to hand over the slip from his most recent order and take ready orders to his tables.

"So, I take it this morning went well," teased Sierra, passing more plates to the counter.

"Why is everyone on me about this morning?"

"I'm not asking," commented Shasta, who looked to be a frazzled mess as he cooked.

"Because we care," offered Anita, taking a plate from the counter to a customer, glaring at the back of Shasta's head.

"Plus, Ramona told us about it," added Sierra.

Miles looked up, confused. Why would Ramona tell the girls what happened? What did she tell them? "What did she say?"

Sierra looked to Anita, who was trying to look busy doing something. "Girl Code," responded Sierra before returning to work. Miles looked to Shasta for help, but he was too busy to notice Miles. Or he too struggled with the Girl Code since Anita seemed to give him the cold shoulder.

Miles headed out to the floor to deliver the food since no one was going to help. Considering Sierra only said Girl Code, it probably didn't have anything to do with his mother.

Miles continued to his area to serve a loud group of people he was thankful had chosen soda over alcohol. Oliver's table nearby didn't seem to be as lucky as he brought over several mugs of Tormino's cheap beer.

Miles turned to check on another meal when he noticed Ramona leading a group to his area, passing by Oliver's area. One of the customers, drunk already, scooted his chair back to reach the others for a toast. The action sent Ramona falling. With nimble speed, he caught her, much to the nearby tables' amazement, so he got a couple of drunken claps.

"Thank you," she whispered as usual before continuing to lead the group to an empty table.

"No worries."

"Miles?"

He turned at the sound of his name, confused by the voice. Oliver had moved on while Ramona was leading the group away and Anita was still serving the bar.

"IT IS YOU!" Someone from the table he was next to launched themselves at him. Everyone turned to see the commotion as they fell to the ground.

"I missed you so much! I was so worried when you weren't home! You never told me you were working here!"

"That's because we never talk."

When Oliver finished taking the new orders, he hurried over to see what the commotion was. An older girl closer to his age was spooning his subordinate on the floor. He hurried down to their level, trying to pull the girl off, while Ramona joined and helped pull Miles off.

"Hey, Leigha, who’s this guy?" asked one of the boys at the table where the woman once sat.

"Miles!" The woman ignored her friend, trying to reach out for Miles but was being held back by Oliver. Miles, backing off a little, was frowning.

"Come give your big sister a hug," she whined.

"Sister!" Oliver relaxed his grip on Leigha in surprise, who pounced on Miles. Miles steadied himself for the blow so they wouldn't end up on the ground again. Or take Ramona with him, who looked confused by the whole situation.

"I missed you," she purred, snuggling into her brother's chest. He pulled at her arms.

"Shouldn't you be in school, Leigha? You should be getting ready for your last semester," Miles reasoned.

"Nope, I quit."

"What?!"

"And I'm never going back," she drawled, looking up at him with a smile.

Miles sighed, "You're drunk."

"Not that drunk. Just a teensy-weensy bit maybe," Leigha giggled, grabbing Miles for another hug. "I missed you! And I missed our home! And I'm never going back to med school! Ever."

"Come on, let's go talk to mother," he insisted, dragging his sister towards the door.

"No! Please no! Anything but her!"

Miles looked down at his sister, who sobered up once he mentioned their mother.

"You dropped out and mother doesn't know?"

"Please don't tell! I was going to come home and stay with you so she wouldn't get suspicious. Please Miles. Just this once! I'll never ask anything from you again!"

Miles looked up; everyone in the diner was invested in their drama. He looked down to see his sister's pleading eyes.

"Fine, don't overdo it on the drinks," he grumbled.

"Yay!" She jumped up, returning to her friends as if nothing was wrong.