2: AFTERNOON ENCOUNTER

The afternoon sun cast a warm glow through the large windows of"grounded bliss cafe", creating a cozy atmosphere. Amy wiped her hands on her apron and glanced at the clock. It was just past 2 PM, and the usual afternoon rush was beginning to pick up.

As she prepared a latte for a regular customer, the bell above the door jingled, signaling the arrival of a new patron. Amy looked up to see a woman in her mid-thirties, dressed in a stylish outfit, striding towards the counter. Her expression was stern, and she seemed to be in a hurry.

"Good afternoon! What can I get for you today?" Amy greeted her with her usual cheerful smile.

The woman barely glanced at her. "I'll have a soy latte, and make it quick," she snapped, tapping her fingers impatiently on the counter.

Amy's smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure. "Of course, ma'am. It'll be ready in just a moment."

As she prepared the latte, she could feel the woman's eyes boring into her. She tried to focus on her task, but her clumsiness got the better of her. She accidentally knocked over a stack of napkins and spilled some milk on the counter. Flustered, she quickly cleaned up the mess and finished making the latte.

She placed the steaming cup on the counter. "Here you go, ma'am. That'll be $4.50."

The woman handed her a five-dollar bill and waited for her change. As Amy opened the cash register, she accidentally dropped a coin. It rolled under the counter, and she had to bend down to retrieve it.

"Is this how you run your business?" the woman grumbled. "No wonder this place is always so slow."

Amy felt a flush of embarrassment and frustration. "I'm sorry for the inconvenience, ma'am. We're doing our best to serve everyone as quickly as possible."

The woman scoffed and took a sip of her latte. "Well, your best isn't good enough. This is the worst service I've ever experienced."

Amy's patience snapped. "Look, I'm doing the best I can. If you have a problem, maybe you should try being a little more understanding."

The woman's eyes widened in anger. "How dare you speak to me like that! I demand to speak to your manager."

Amy took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. "I'm sorry, ma'am. If you'd like to speak to the manager, I can call her for you."

"Do that," the woman hissed. "And make it quick."

Amy nodded and went to the back to find her manager, Mrs Roberts. She explained the situation, and Mrs. Roberts sighed. "I'll handle it, Amy. You go take a break."

Amy nodded gratefully and stepped outside to get some fresh air. She leaned against the wall, taking deep breaths to calm herself. She couldn't let one rude customer ruin her day.

As she stood there, her co-worker, Jenna, came over and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Don't let her get to you, Amy. Some people are just like that."

Amy nodded, grateful for Jenna's support. "Thanks, Jenna. I just wish people could be a little more understanding."

Jenna smiled. "You're doing great. Now, let's get back to work. The afternoon rush waits for no one."

With renewed determination, Amy decided to focus on the positive and keep doing her best.