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Beca has been running around town with her kids all day. It was the Friday before school started up again, and Chloe put Beca in charge of the back-to-school shopping since Chloe would be away from home for a vet’s conference.
She had two kids starting middle school and another starting first grade, she couldn’t help but tear up at how quickly the time was passing and how they were growing up so fast, but also roll her eyes at how old she was getting herself.
With Beca being Beca, of course she left the shopping for the very last minute, which meant they were running all around the city to hit up every Target, Walmart, Office Depot, any kind of office store to get all the supplies the kids needed for the new school year.
They had been out all morning, hit three different stores, and everyone was ready for a break. Because of the early start that they had, Beca only had time to get one cup of coffee in her system before the whirlwind of traffic and shopping began.
Thankfully, they had most of the items needed on everyone’s list for going back to school. Beca thought now was the perfect time for a break. Unfortunately, she was also very tired and running on only one cup of coffee that she could barely think straight.
The kids were not helping either. Everyone wanted something different for lunch and no one could decide so Beca made the decision for them. In-n-Out Burger it was.
More complaints came from the back of the car as the kids either protested the selection or shouting out their order and changing it up once one sibling heard something the other was getting and decided to change. Beca was slowly going out of her mind!
“I want a double-double with fries animal-style!” Oliver shouted.
“Me too! But I want a milkshake with mine!” Olivia yelled from the back seat. “Oh and ‘protein style’” she finished.
“I want animal-style on my burger but not my fries.” Eli said. “And a milkshake too, like Liv.”
Beca was already fighting a headache and just held her head with her arm leaning against the window and shut her eyes. Fortunately (or rather unfortunately) it was traffic so it wasn’t like she was putting them in danger by taking a moment to just close her eyes and breathe.
She opened her eyes and slowly started making her way through the streets to get some lunch for herself and her kids.
The family slowly pulled up to the restaurant and Beca made them relay their orders to her again as they approached the window.
“Hi, what can I get started for you today?” The lady said through the speaker of the drive through window.
“Hi, uhmmm, can I get…” Beca was trying to mentally consolidate the orders in her head. The kids had changed their orders a few times since their last outburst.
“…2 double double meals, both animal-style. But one also protein style. One with a vanilla milkshake, the other with a Dr. Pepper. Then can I get a single meal with animal style on just the fries and with a chocolate milkshake. And finally just a single burger, animal style, no fries. Thanks.” Beca finished up as she let out a breathe.
“Uhmmm, ma’am, this is Starbucks….” The lady replied.
Beca’s eyes went wide when she realized she was staring at a huge Starbucks menu in her face. She must’ve been more tired than she thought. And apparently in her tiredness, she just drove to Starbucks on autopilot. Her body was definitely looking out for her.
“Oh my god! I’m so sorry you had to sit through that. It’s been a long day.” She let out a chuckle hoping the barista would understand.
“I want Starbucks too!”
“Me too!”
“Vanilla Bean Frappuccino for me please!”
The kids all yelled out from their spots in the car. Beca just rolled her eyes, “I thought you guys were getting milkshakes from In-n-Out?” “Oh yeah” they replied with looks of realization on their faces. “Ma’am? Are you still there? Was there anything I can get you?…from Starbucks?” The barista finished.
I deserved that. Beca thought to herself. “Uhmmm yea, can I just get a grande Nitro cold brew please.” She said and sighed, relieved that she was finally getting her coffee fix.
They pulled up to the window and Beca held out her phone for the barista to scan her Starbucks card. She handed Beca her drink but didn’t scan her phone.
“Don’t worry about, sounds like you’ve had a day and it doesn’t sound like it’s ending any time soon. It’s on the house.” The barista replied as Beca was putting away her phone.
“Oh, well thanks so much!” Beca replied. She tried to sound as contained as possible but really, if she could get out of the car and give the lady a hug, she would. “This means a lot. Really.” She said as she gestured to the drink.
“Have a good day!” The barista finished as Beca started to roll her window up and make her way away from the drive through line.
She took a big sip and sighed. with just those few sips she felt ready to take on the rest of the day.
“Alright, where to next?” She said as she turned to her kids.
“The mall!”
“Best Buy!”
“Wait, I thought we were going to get lunch?” Oliver reminded her.
“Oh yeah, you’re right. Thanks for the reminder sweetie.” She said as she gently squeezed his shoulder.
Looks like she might need more than the one cup of coffee to survive the rest of the day. By the looks of things, the kids still had plenty of energy and places they wanted to go, she’d need more fuel to keep her going.