by Kandice Day

Created on: January 01, 2009

As the weeks turned into months, I grew a deep affinity for my co-workers. Not yet a true member of the family, I began to envy what they had. They did fight as often as they laughed, but they were entertaining and compassionate, and held such an underlining unconditional love for each other.

The Applebee's dynamic was very much like a family. Wes was more of a big brother than a dad, or a boss for that matter. He barked orders, got frustrated, ran around like a rabid squirrel, and was accustomed to heart pains, but he cared about us more than we deserved. Poor Wes gave second, third, and 15 chances to every employee.

Sandi forgot to card some underage kids the other day, and nearly lost her job, until Wes stepped in. Lisa was known for her temper and frequently coming to work hours late. On one occasion her fist miraculously came into contact with a large framed picture about a corner table, shattering it. Blood was everywhere, but when Wes stood at the scene he believed Lisa's story. Her hand accidently swung into the glass as she walked by. Thankfully it was during a lunch shift when the restaurant was dead.

The bartenders were cocky boys, full of themselves and admired by the new hires. I found them highly annoying. But, they kept the drinks flowing and the ladies walking in the door, which made me happy.

There were the cool kids, the first string players, the girls that got the best shifts and nicest customers. Not a single table of misfit teenagers or stingy elders sat in their section, and they made sure of it with warnings to the young hosts. They hung out after every shift, went to clubs and concerts together, and knew the restaurant inside and out.

There were the older brothers who enjoyed hitting on the new girls and helping out the others; always willing to lend a hand if the favor was returned in full.

There were the curbside girls, usually too young to serve, and the hostesses even younger. And then there were the new kids, like me, at the very bottom of the totem pole.

Heather and Michelle were extremely moody, and unless you were on their good side it was best to stay out of the way. I wasn't yet on their good side. Kirsten would cry when in the weeds, Sandi would get extremely quiet and focused, and Jenea would curse like a sailor.

"You know your baby's first word is going to be the f-word," I would tease her.

The first stringers would come in on their days off, dressed like goddesses for a Friday night out. Applebee's was always a first stop

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