"It Is! Once I'm Done, I'm Happy To Let You Borrow It If You Would Like," She Offered, "even If You Don't

Oh, I hate the paperwork! I like the math part, actually, but the paperwork still feels like mountains. The inventory, food cost, payroll, taxes, oh my! I don't know how to shut it off, honestly, I feel like I'm basically working 24/7. I probably do need to outsource some of it. I can't stop thinking about it, I feel like I'm in love all over again.

So my least favorite part of owning my own business is all the paperwork that comes with it. I don’t know why people will willingly voluntarily do math in their free time, but I’m really glad that I’ve got software to help me with all that. And then a family friend to make sure everything is good and dandy. Do you have this problem too? @leyla-tehrani

Well, if Instagram says so...who are we to argue? I don't keep up with trends, unfortunately, but I'm sure those ideas are going to be big. You can always go with someone from The Office, it's classic and pretty timeless. If you don't want to look like everyone else, you can go even more obscure...like a strawberry banana smoothie.

@merrock

Right, so, I'm taking recommendations for my Halloween costume. Before you say "Oh, Miles, it's too early-" blah, blah, blah. No, it isn't. Why not? Because the first Halloween edit came on my Instagram recommended page just now. Anyway, what's the trend this year? Barbie? Ken? Queen Charlotte and George? Farmer George? That's all the ideas I have. Any suggestions will do or I will have to result in dressing like a banana for the third year in a row. Costume is starting to wear down.

Leyla did her best to make this a warm place, one of the reasons she chose a spot close to the coast. It created an atmosphere, almost like a vacation in the middle of the day. Though maybe for the locals, it was more mundane by now. As she looked at her latest customer, she could see a bit of a glow--and maybe a bump? Though Leyla would never make assumptions.

"Good choice," she agreed. Most bars added so little alcohol to their cocktails that it was hard to tell the difference when that part was missing. A good flavor speaks for itself. "My first regular," she joked, "maybe I can get your name and train the bar to call it out every time you come in like Norm on Cheers--if you ever saw that show."

Mawk Tales felt like the perfect spot for Alice to spend her afternoon. Nonalcoholic drinks for the pregnant wine lover? She could enjoy some of that. She eyed the menu and licked over her lips. Everything looked good, but when she heard the word ‘strawberry’ she knew that’s where she had to start.

“I do enjoy a good fruity drink,” she said with a nod. “I’ll try the strawberry one,” she gave a smile. “You know, I’ll probably be here quite often, trying something new.”

Turning the page of her book, Leyla had made it back to her chair after being encouraged to participate in other things for a little while. She settled into the peace of the moment when it was suddenly interrupted by a shout, looking up in time to see a ball hurtling toward her. She managed to raise her book over her face in time to block the shot. "I've been called a lot of things, but never a goal," she quipped, "but I blocked it, so you better not count it as a point."

Event: Beach Bash When: afternoon of August 26th Who: Wes + @leyla-tehrani

Wesley was dribbling a soccer ball to keep himself entertained while keeping an eye on his daughter, who was out on the water boogie boarding with her friends. Kicking the ball up into the air, he accidentally kicked it a little too hard, sending the ball flying toward a nearby beach-goer. "Fuck," he muttered under his breath, immediately shouting in her direction, "look out!" He jogged over to retrieve the ball, apologizing upon reaching Leyla with a quick, "sorry about that."

It was important to Leyla to be here, to give back. She had never been good at receiving, but giving came easy. Besides, she'd get to be with horses, what could possibly be wrong about that? Nowadays, she often preferred animals to people.

"Really? That's great," she said as the woman confirmed they were always looking. It perked her up a bit as she patiently waited for the application. "I also own Mawk Tales, down by the coast, so if you ever want to do any sort of fundraiser, let me know," she offered, before gratefully accepting the clipboard. "How long have you been doing this?" She asked as she started on the form.

As much as Livvy loved working as a physical therapist, she enjoyed her work with the horses even more. Getting to watch children get up on a horse's back for the first time, riding around a little arena, being led by the volunteers, going out on trail rides when they had the experience and could handle it; every day, she went home feeling good abotu what she did. That wasn't always something she could say about her time in the office.

"Oh!" she looked up from where she had been polishing a saddle, buffing and buffing at the leather to make it look like new again, and breaking into a smile. "We're always looking or volunteers, actually. As for applications, uhm, give me one second," she set the saddle aside, and scampered into the office, snatching a piece of paper out of one of the drawers and attaching it to a clipboard, turning to make her way back out into the aisle. "Here we are!"

Leyla was actually forward to the game, watching was participating and no one would try to make her do anything during that timeframe. Best of both worlds. "That's where you say you hope for a good game and wish all the best," she agreed, "do you know anything about volleyball?"

"That sounds like fun," Lara said in response. She was excited to watch both teams play. It would be a great experience to be out there and just enjoy it while being out in the summer sun. "I think it'll be fun. I also have friends on both sides, so I have to root for both!" she chuckled.

A laugh bubbled from her as her latest customer popped up, almost literally. It was like the sunshine coming in through the window was right in front of her. Besides, Leyla liked when people treated this the same as any bar, made her feel more like she was Sam Malone in Cheers. "You seem a girl who likes a seasonal specialty," she replied, a touch playfully, "so I would say our Pumpkin Pie Martini mocktail or my personal favorite at the moment, which is the Autumn Spice. But I'm a sucker for a cinnamon flavor, paired with the cloves and nutmeg, it's the season in a glass."

WHO: Nari & @leyla-tehrani

WHERE: Mawk Tales

WHEN: September, 2023

"Alright, hit me," Nari swung onto one of the bar stools, tucking her legs underneath herself, feet finding perch on the run as she looked up at the menu behind the bar. There were far too many good drinks to choose from, something that she had learned a long time ago, but that was why it paid to have a bartender to help you out -- at least Leyla would know what to suggest. Hopefully. Or maybe she would just flounder her way through trying whatever looked good on the menu. "What's the best option for a girl like me?"

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