Abby

The restaurant is closed for the evening, and it’s about time that I gather my team for an impromptu

meeting.

“Listen up, everyone. I know it’s been a long day, but we need to talk about something important.”

My eyes scan over the faces of my staff: Anton, the homeless chef who turns out to be a culinary genius;

Daisy, our beloved waitress who once worked the streets; Ethan, a war veteran with a limp who has

become my trusted restaurant manager; John, a single father with a past alcohol problem; and finally Karl,

my ex-husband turned line cook.

Anton sets down his ladle and wipes his hands on his apron. “Is everything okay, Abby?”

Enter title…

article,” I hesitantly begin, fully aware that I’m opening

need to be

eyes narrowing. “So what are you

I think we should be cautious,” I

you’re trying to move away from.

scars, and—”

his eyes that I’ve never seen

you’re ashamed of

of me, and I feel my face flush. “I’m not ashamed. You all are the

for. But I have to publish an article before the competition,

me a sideways look. “What

seem more ‘normal’, like we’re not

it would be good to be proactive about it, control the narrative

darkly. “What are we gonna do? Put out a press release saying, ‘Hey,

our staff is just as messed up as

put it that way, it does

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