Family Trait

Cyrus made a mistake in the scheduling and everyone forgot to correct it. But it was a Saturday morning, with Leigha and Ramona assigned to the morning shift while Miles and Anita would work in the afternoon.

"Well, this should be interesting," commented Shasta as he headed towards the kitchen. 

This shift would be Ramona's first time without Miles since he first started. It was odd not to have an escort across the backlot, but she had managed. Hopefully, she wouldn't trip during the shift.

"Don't worry, Ramona! I'll make sure to take care of you! I can't fail the trust Miles put in me to take care of his future wife."

Leigha linked an arm around the red-faced Ramona and escorted her to the floor.

"For safety, I'll work the floor while you handle the bar," Leigha ordered.

"Ramona has superiority since she has worked here longer than you," corrected Shasta.

Leigha opened her mouth in an "O" as she realized, despite their age, that Ramona was her senior.

"Where do you want to work today?"

"Bar is fine."

"Alright. I'll take the floor." Leigha marched out to the floor, leaving Ramona to tend the bar.

"You alright?" asked Shasta, prepping food.

Ramona nodded, "I have to remember that Miles isn't here to catch me, so I need to play it safe."

"You have nothing to worry about," assured Leigha, leaning over the bar to grab the condiments Ramona had set out.

"I have Sonata blood, so I should be able to catch you with the same grace as Miles."

"You do realize the high bar you have set for yourself?" asked Shasta.

Leigha tilted her head as Shasta explained, "After almost a year, Miles can catch Ramona, and whatever food she is carrying so it doesn't hit the floor. Sierra said she saw him even catch both their orders and Ramona."

"Well, I can catch your ladle - that means something."

"It's fine!" The older workers looked to the younger. "I'll stay at the bar so we shouldn't have to worry about me tripping."

Leigha frowned, "But I can catch you."

"Sure, but I don't want to take any chances. What if it's busy and you can't reach me in time?"

"You do bring up a good point. But I will still accept Shasta's challenge to be better than Miles."

Leigha marched off with the condiments, leaving Ramona and Shasta at the bar.

"Be careful," he cautioned.

Ramona nodded, "I need to work on getting better at not tripping, so I won't worry anyone."

"A worthy goal."

Ramona nodded then started work on preparing the bar area for customers.

Cyrus popped out of his closet, empty mug in hand as he walked to the coffeemaker. As he waited, he looked between the two workers.

"Wait, wasn't Miles supposed to work the morning shift?" he asked, looking back at Shasta.

Shasta stood cooking on the opposite side of the kitchen, so he didn't respond.

"Let me call him; he and Leigha can switch," he commented as he moved his mug out from under the coffeemaker.

"No!" Ramona gripped onto the edge of his polo shirt.

"I want to practice not tripping."

"You can do that when Miles is here."

"Oh, let me try catching her then," offered Leigha.

"Denied."

Leigha went back to work, pouting.

"Miles won't always be here to catch me, so I need to practice. I want to be stronger so he won't have to worry about me."

Cyrus sighed, "Women’s logic." He meandered back to his closet.

"If you are working on self-improvement, you can try speaking up too," suggested Leigha.

Ramona nodded then realized that it would be an excellent opportunity to practice.

"O-okay!"

"Not so loud at the end there," commented Shasta.

"R-right. Okay." 

Leigha gave her  a thumbs up and Ramona returned the gesture. She could do this. She knew Miles would continue with his schooling, so he shouldn't worry about leaving her behind.

"Unlock the door already," yelled Cyrus from his office.

"I'll do it," called out Leigha, even though she was on the other side of the restaurant.

"No, I can do it!" Ramona ran over to the door with bottles of condiments to deliver to Leigha. She almost made it to the door when she tripped over her feet, with the sauces and her body heading to the ground.

"I got her!"

Leigha dove for her, side tackling her, so the giant girl's body cocooned Ramona's landing.

"Take that, Shasta! I can save her," announced Leigha.

Shasta looked over from the kitchen.

"I wouldn't call that graceful."

"It's a start!" 

Leigha let go of Ramona, dizzy from the tumble. Surrounding them were bottles of ketchup and mayo. 

"Okay, next time, give me more advanced notice so I can catch you better," corrected Leigha. She gathered the fallen bottles, Ramona's eyes still spinning.