The kitchen hadn't changed much.
The dish drop still clattered with plates, the air still smelled like oil and steam, and someone — probably Maya — was yelling for clean forks.
But Sasha had changed.
She stood near the prep line, sipping her coffee like a general surveying her field. Calm. Focused. In control — but not the kind that came from shouting.
The kind that came from trust.
Luis walked in, now officially her assistant lead.
"You look too relaxed," he said. "Something's about to break."
Sasha grinned. "Probably."
He held up a paper. "Schedule's posted. Two new hires start Monday."
Sasha glanced at the names. One stood out.
Amber – Dishwasher – Part Time
She nodded. "I'll train her."
Luis raised an eyebrow. "You? Personally?"
"Yeah."
Monday – 9:00 a.m.
Amber walked in — hoodie half-zipped, earbuds in, eyes scanning everything with skepticism.
Sasha recognized the type.
Young. Defensive. Ready to challenge the world before it challenged her.
Debbie would've hated her.
Sasha smiled.
"Welcome, Amber. You're dish today."
Amber shrugged. "Cool."
By 10:30 a.m., Amber was struggling.
Plates backed up. Water overflowed. She cursed under her breath.
Sasha approached slowly.
"Need help?"
Amber bristled. "I got it."
Sasha nodded. "Okay. But if you need backup, say something. We all do sometimes."
Amber looked surprised, but said nothing.
At 12:00 p.m., the rush hit. Sasha moved to help — quietly, efficiently.
No shouting. No shame.
Just teamwork.
Amber relaxed. She asked a question. Then another.
By 2:00 p.m., she smiled — once.
Progress.
After the shift, Luis nudged Sasha. "You're different."
Sasha shrugged. "I just remember how it felt. The first shift. The pressure."
Luis raised an eyebrow. "And Debbie?"
Sasha paused. "She taught me what not to do. And for that… I'm grateful."
As the kitchen emptied, Sasha wiped down the dish drop — clean, ready, waiting.
Amber approached. "Hey. Thanks today. I thought you'd yell."
Sasha smiled. "I used to. Doesn't work."
Amber laughed. "Noted."
Sasha turned off the lights, locked up, and stood for a moment outside.
Another shift done.
Another plate cleaned.
Another chapter closed.
She whispered, "Still all my teeth."
And walked into the night.