Solemn

The day after the festival, it felt like autumn had already started. The wind was chilling as Cyrus opened the restaurant. It was already strange not to have Oliver there to greet them. Cyrus went up to the front and made himself a coffee. He enjoyed the view of the outside compared to the frigid interior. Last night had been quite lovely with Linda, doing couples’ games and sharing food. He managed to win her a small prize, which came with a kiss on the cheek as a reward — a successful first date.

As he returned to his office, the back door opened by another cold wind. The feeling was familiar as the icy wind Dr. Sonata had brought with her when she visited. In walked Leigha, her hair that had been growing out pulled into a small ponytail, bobby pins clipping the loose strands. She marched towards the break room with a look that dared anyone to challenge her.

Anita came in behind.

“I’m sorry, Cyrus. After last night, she snapped and I can’t do anything. She’s not the same.”

Cyrus and Linda also managed to catch the end of last night’s argument between the Sonata siblings. 

“I take it she stayed with you last night?”

“After we got her things, yes. She cried a lot on the way to her house, but once she was inside, she went cold and hardly said anything. She packed everything by herself even though I offered to help, then we left. She only said thanks and goodnight.”

Cyrus sighed. Due to the kids’ lack of a parental figure, he might have to step in.

“Give them a bit of time to blow off steam. Keep being a good friend.”

Anita nodded, then scurried off to the breakroom to change. Shasta followed shortly, passing Leigha and Anita. No problems other than Leigha ignoring Shasta and getting right to work. Cyrus had no reason to complain if Leigha was focused on work, but her mood brought down the rest of the staff. Cyrus disappeared into his office, hoping things would get better by lunch.

Cyrus emerged from his office a little before the lunch rush to refill his coffee with tea instead.

The restaurant looked spotless. Leigha helped customers with a meager soft smile that Cyrus could tell was fake. He looked over to Anita, who was also working the floor. Their eyes met, and she could only frown and shake her head. Cyrus refilled his cup, returning to his office.

Cyrus swore he could hear the sound of music, which wasn’t uncommon considering his room shared part of the wall of the breakroom. The music continued - a new instrument for Sierra and a lot longer than usual. He opened his door, looking down the hall to see Shasta peering out from his spot near the kitchen. They looked at each other, both confused by what was going on.

So who was laughing in the breakroom? Cyrus left his office to peek inside. Sierra was playing her song on the viola, Anita and Leigha, both listening with smiles on their faces. This music could work. Rather than stop the music, Cyrus retreated to his office. The back door opened and Miles ushered Ramona inside the restaurant.

“Sierra’s taking a break early?” wondered Miles out loud. Cyrus shrugged and returned to his office. Once he was sure the two had entered the breakroom, Cyrus dashed out to watch what would unfold. He joined Shasta’s hiding place to watch, only for Shasta to shove him back into the hall, near the breakroom.

Sierra paused her music. Miles and Leigha stared at each other, Miles daring Leigha to leave first. Both smiles worn moments ago were now gone.

“Thank you for the music, Sierra.” Leigha stood up and left the room, bumping Miles’ shoulder as she left. When she was out of the breakroom, Miles marched towards the changing room. Both doors slammed shut, prompting the staff back into motion. Sierra packed up her instrument, Anita left after Leigha, and Ramona went to her changing room. Shasta resumed work, leaving Cyrus to ponder what to do next. Miles was madder at Leigha than before. Now that Leigha had calmed down thanks to Sierra’s music, she complied with Miles’ request to leave him alone.

“Taft.”

Sierra finished packing her instrument, leaving the case on the table as she walked over to Cyrus.

“What’s up, boss?”

“Keep bringing new instruments. Might help.”

“Ok.” Sierra headed back for the kitchen, revealing that Miles had exited the changing room. He looked like he wanted to ask something, but thought better of it.

“If you have a question, spit it out,” Cyrus snapped.

“Um, why are you still outside your office?”

Cyrus didn’t have a good excuse.

“I need a refill. After I get my cup.” He marched back to his office, grabbed his cup and went out to the floor, Miles following behind.

Miles went to work a little distracted. Cyrus watched Miles as he filled his mug. Great, an argument had turned Leigha into a workaholic and Miles started spacing out. Usually, it was the other way around, with a lot more talking involved. He heard the sound of footsteps. He put his foot out so Ramona would trip and Miles could catch her as usual.

“Stop dilly-dallying. This is work, not a playground,” he snapped before returning to the back. That seemed to shake Miles back into motion. His heart might not be in it, but based on the surveillance cameras, he was moving at his usual pace. 

He would apologize to Ramona later, but this got results. So long as their emotional issues didn’t affect their work, there wasn’t too much he could do.