As Georgia served her never-ending stream of customers, she couldn’t help but overhear a conversation between a father and his young daughter, nestled into one of the farthest corners of the room. The father, a tall scruffy, and stout man, regaled his wide-eyed daughter with tales of his youth, describing fantastical lands and grand adventures that could only exist in the realm of imagination. Though Georgia was occupied attending to her duties, she smiled as she heard the little girl’s awe-stricken gasps in between each story.
Georgia had no problem keeping herself busy filling orders throughout the evening. She took the opportunity to continue to listen to the father and daughter as it reminded her of her own childhood and her father who had been a very worldly person.
On one of her rounds to deliver another round of drinks and fresh bread she remembers hearing the young girl pleading with her father, “Papa, please, another story! Tell me about the land where the creatures could change their shape and control the elements!”
The stories of great battles and daring escapes came to life in the little girl’s eyes, and as the father continued, she could sense the growing excitement in his daughter’s voice. The sweet sincerity of the interaction filled Georgia’s heart with warmth, and she wondered what her own father was up to since he left the inn to travel.
Georgia was in her young thirties but in good shape from her long days of preparing meals, maintaining the inn, and serving patrons and guest food and drinks through the night. It was not often she found herself with idle time. Her auburn hair was tied into a ponytail, revealing her delicate features and bright green eyes.
She was quite attractive, which is why she was also well liked. Even with those like the rowdy group she had finished serving another round to, they always tipped her generously and complimented her smile.
The inn was hers; her father gave it to her when he decided to retire. He had told her, “Georgia; I am going on a journey to visit the lands and learn what I can. I’ve had myself tied to this place for too long now and yearn for an adventure”.
She had hugged him and wished him well, knowing he deserved some freedom after working hard for so many years. She loved the inn and its regulars, but sometimes she wondered what else was out there for her.
She chuckled to herself thinking. “Imagine that he didn’t decide to putter around this town chewing on the local’s ears. Sharing his stories from the inn. He wanted to go out and create his own adventure he had told her.”
Georgia had just finished delivering some desserts to the table with the father and daughter letting them know it was compliments of the house and she appreciated the wonderful stories he told his daughter. The young child turned and gave Georgia a shy smile, “Thank you, lady. Your place is magic, “she whispered, clearly believing the tales her father had been telling her. Georgia just smiled, thinking about the girl’s innocence and belief in the stories her father had told her.