Aunt Cass

Cass sighed heavily as she wiped down the counter for what felt like the hundredth time that day. The café was bustling, filled with the chatter of customers and the rich aroma of coffee, but she couldn't shake the feeling of being overwhelmed. Her eyes darted from the growing line at the register to the pile of dishes in the sink, and she realized with a sinking feeling that she was barely keeping her head above water.

"Come on, Cass," she muttered to herself, tucking a stray lock of brown hair behind her ear. "You can do this. You've managed worse." But even as she tried to psych herself up, she knew deep down that she was reaching her limit. The thought of putting up a "Help Wanted" sign had crossed her mind more than once, but the meager pay she could offer made her hesitate. Who would want to work for such pitiful wages?

She found herself wishing fervently that someone – anyone – would walk through that door looking for a job. "I'd hire them on the spot," she thought, a wry smile tugging at her lips despite her exhaustion. "Even if they can't tell a latte from a cappuccino. Heck, I'd probably hug them and scare them right back out the door!" With a rueful chuckle, she squared her shoulders and dove back into the fray, hoping against hope that her wish would somehow come true. "Hiro already spends more time outside than with me... I guess it's part of growing up."