Earlier in the week, your dad has informed you on this new change about to happen. He'd always told you that you would need a job when you get older, and now that your freshman year of high school is almost over, it's about that time. He tells you he got you a job at the Italian restaurant he's been going to for years and you have no idea what to expect, other than the fact that your older cousin has been working there for 2 years. It's now Saturday and it's finally time to go in. You're so excited to start your first day on the job that you forget today is also your 15th birthday. The nervousness and anticipation you have for walking into the family-owned restaurant and taking people to their tables outweighs the feeling of opening a birthday card with $20 in it saying, "happy birthday! love, mom and dad".
You don't have to be in until 4:30, but you throw on your black jeans, cotton v-neck, and Payless slip on shoes by 3:00. To kill time, you straighten your hair and put on makeup, hoping you don't look like you're in your first year of high school, even though you are. It's finally 4:10 and your big cousin pulls up in her '97 Honda Civic to drive in with her.
Once you arrive, she leads you through the double doors and throws her bag behind the hostess stand. You do the same, almost as if you've been doing it for years. It only been 5 minutes and you've been introduced to what seems like 50 people, definitely not remembering any names. The longer you're in there, the more comfortable you get. Your cousin shows you around, having you light the tiny oil candles on the tables--accidentally burning your thumb on the lighter a couple of times. After learning the computer system and answering a couple of phone calls, you realize the job won't be too difficult.
The night goes by so quickly, and as you're getting ready to leave, you see a bright light out of the corner of your eye. You turn to see a piece of cake with a candle in it and two servers you had just met are singing you happy birthday. It was this moment that you knew these people would soon enough become your family.