by Abbi Glines
I got busy changing into the work uniform, and then stood in front of the full-length mirror and winced. The skirt was so short I was afraid to bend over. I’d have to watch that tonight. Slipping on the heels I felt more vulnerable than I ever had, like I was on display. I didn’t like attention. This outfit was going to get me attention.
I could always keep looking for another good paying evening job. This didn’t have to be forever. It wasn’t like I was the only one dressed this way. There were other servers who would be just as scantily dressed, and more than likely, so would the customers. This was a club. I had to get over myself.
After I gave myself a pep talk, I made my way down the hallway toward the front where Neil would be waiting on me. The first person I saw was the guy who had met me outside Carey’s office last night and knocked on his door. He was tall with dark blonde hair. When he saw me, he waved me over. It was the guy I was supposed to trail, Neil. Or at least I assumed he was.
“Beulah, correct?” he asked holding out his hand. “I’m Neil.”
“Yes, and it’s nice to officially meet you,” I told him.
He smirked. “Yeah, I was in a hurry last night or I’d have been friendlier.”
“That’s fine. I thought you were friendly enough.”
He ran his hand through his hair and glanced around the place. People were trickling in, but it wasn’t busy yet. “This is the early crowd. They are here to eat the bar food and do some socializing before the crowd. A Monday night crowd isn’t that bad. It’s the slowest night of the week for us. That’s why Carey had you come in so soon to start. This is the night he likes to train his newbies.”
Neil pointed at the redhead. “That’s Shauna. She’s the manager of the waitresses and hostesses. She’s been here for five years. She’s not the nicest person around, but she works hard and makes sure the place runs smooth.”
He began to walk and I followed. “If you need something, come to me first. Shauna doesn’t like dealing with the little details. She deals with the big issues. I am second in command and I deal with the small stuff. If it’s too much for me to smooth over, I involve her. She’s big on the chain of command thing, so don’t go directly to her unless I tell you to. She looks pretty but she can go monster on you in a second.”
We walked to the hostess area, and he patted the countertop that stood between me and guests as they arrived. “If the guests get to you, then they made it through security. They will have on blue bracelets that have our logo on them if they are under twenty-one. You will greet them, take any bags, wraps or jackets—which won’t be many this time of year—and check them in. Tag their item with a number using these tickets, then give them the other half. Put their items in that room. In the winter, this is a busier job. Much more of a hassle and we have three people working the front then because of it. Right now, it won’t be a big deal. With me so far? Any questions?”
This seemed easy enough so far. My nerves had eased and I nodded. “Yes, I am good. What else?”
“Fast learner. I like it. Okay, you will look at this chart and decide on what table, section area to seat them. If they have paid for VIP reservations, you will have them stand here away from the crowd, and contact me or whoever is on duty handling the VIP. We will seat them. You don’t handle them—you handle the rest.”
The next few hours went on like this. I followed Neil around and he never stopped talking. He was constantly teaching me something. I even took a few shopping bags and one silk wrap and tagged them in the coat check. When two in the morning rolled around, the place was almost empty and I was told I could leave.
Sinking into the front seat of my car, I slipped off my heels and stretched. I can do this.
I touched the hidden pocket on my skirt. There was fifty dollars in there from customers who had tipped me. The lady with the silk wrap had given me a twenty-dollar bill when I returned her wrap to her. The other thirty dollars came from a group of guys I seated. Neil said if they tipped me, to be thankful and take it. So, I did.
THE THREE AND A HALF hours I slept last night felt like I barely closed my eyes. The alarm went off by my head, and for a moment I thought I was at home in in our single-wide trailer. I was still in bed, it was a school morning and I was going to hit the snooze button. But when I peeled my eyes open to find the blasted noisy alarm, I saw the washing machine and I remembered I wasn’t home. I wasn’t in school anymore.
Yawning, I stretched and my calves burned. My feet ached, and my eyes felt raw as if I had cried all night. But I hadn’t. I laid there and stared at the ceiling. It was a fancy ceiling for a basement. It was white with crown molding. Much like the rest of the house.
I wondered how many mornings Ms. Charlotte had laid here and stared at that ceiling. Had she ever wished to quit? Or had she loved working here? I couldn’t imagine loving working for the Van Allan’s. They weren’t a happy bunch.
I also wondered if her shoes had fit her as I wiggled my toes, dreading putting on my shoes. Lying here wasn’t going to get breakfast cooked nor was it going to give me time to catch Jasper before he left today. I had to talk to him. There was a good chance Stone already had. When I’d gotten in last night and my code for the door still worked, I thought that was a positive sign. At least I hadn’t been kicked out.
With great reluctance, I crawled out of bed and got dressed. I left putting on my shoes for last, just before I went upstairs. The good news was I didn’t have to chase Jasper down this morning. He was already awake and in the kitchen. The bad news was he appeared to be waiting on me to arrive and he wasn’t smiling. The coffee in his hand said he hadn’t just arrived. It was only six-thirty, and I’d never seen him up this early. Another negative.
“Good morning,” I said, stopping after I walked into the room. I didn’t know what to expect but I was prepared. I would be more prepared if I’d had my coffee, but I was prepared enough. This was a conversation I’d gone over in my head several times the past twenty-four hours.
“Late night?” he asked, and then took a sip of his coffee.
“Yes. I’m guessing Winston told you about my second job.”
He frowned. “Second job?”
Oh. So Stone hadn’t told him. Oops. That wasn’t the way I wanted to lead into it.
“You need a second job? I thought you were paid very well here. Surely there isn’t anything that costs so much in your life you need more money.”
This was where I considered telling him about Heidi. It would be easier. It would make sense. But I was scared. I had watched people mistreat her over and over in the past. They didn’t want the hassle, or they didn’t understand. Could I trust Jasper with something this important?
“I’m saving to attend college.” There. That had been the truth once. Didn’t make it the truth now, but I didn’t know Jasper well enough to trust him.
“Really? What do you want to major in?”
“Nursing. I want to go to Nursing school.”
He looked inside his coffee mug, and then set it down on the counter. “That’s why you need a second job? You’re still making two grand a month. You made thirty-six thousand over the past six months. I don’t imagine nursing school costs that much up front.”
“I wanted to be sure I could complete school. Pay for it in full.”
He didn’t seem satisfied. “What nursing school do you want to attend? I would think in just a couple more months you’d have your complete tuition just working here. You have no rent, bills, or food to pay for. I assume you own that car—it’s not anywhere near new. What have you been spending your money on? Do you have some addiction I need to know about? You don’t look the part, but the dark circles under your eyes and the way you were dressed when came home night was questionable.”
He’d seen me come home? I hadn’t seen him. That was why he was up early waiting on me. Stone hadn’t told him anything. Which was odd. I’d expected him to.
“That was my uniform. I don’t get to choose what I wear. As f
or the circles, I’m tired but I will adjust. I don’t have nor have I ever had any form of addiction.”
Maybe it was my exhaustion. Maybe it was the fear he wouldn’t believe me, but for whatever reason, I decided it was time for the truth. All I could hope was that he would understand and didn’t end up tossing me out, accusing me of mooching off his mother. If I told him about Heidi and he didn’t accept she needed to be taken care at the home, then I’d just leave. I would work three jobs if I had to.
“I have a sister,” I said knowing I couldn’t turn back now. I had to tell him everything. I’d admit it and deal with the outcome. I wasn’t asking for a hand out. I wasn’t hoping to get more money out of Portia. I’d come here simply because my mother had told me to. I had no other choice.
“Okay, I assume you have a family. What has that got to do with this?”
“She’s my only family. All I have left. Our mother died of pneumonia six months ago.” I paused.
“I’m listening,” he said waiting on me to continue.
I took a deep breath and let it out. I was nervous. This could be a mistake. But I was tired of keeping this a secret when it wasn’t something I should have to keep a secret. It wasn’t bad. It wasn’t illegal. It was my life. Simple as that.
“Heidi. That’s her name. She got the better name. She was born second. I’m the oldest by three minutes.”
“You have a twin?” he asked, raising his eyebrows in surprise. “I was expecting you to tell me you had a little sister that you had to support. Wasn’t expecting a twin.”
I bit my bottom lip and looked away. The next part I had to tell him was the most important. It was what made me strong yet vulnerable at the same time. Heidi was my strength, yet taking care of her was where all my fear came from. What if I couldn’t? What if I failed her?
“She’s . . . special. The most special person I’ve ever known. She has been the one person in my life to always bring a smile to my face. To remind me how there is always something in life to be happy about. That joy can come from a single hug. Heidi and I aren’t identical. Not just that, but I was born normal. She wasn’t. Heidi has Down syndrome.”
He didn’t say anything. We stood there in the kitchen in silence and it felt like a massive weight was sitting on my chest as I waited for him to say something. Or maybe I needed to say more? To continue explaining.
“Where is she now?”
“A home your mother put her in when I came here after our mother’s death. It’s called Among the Spanish Moss. I didn’t want to put Heidi in a home but I can’t work and take care of her. She needs constant supervision and our mother did that every day until I got home from school. Then she worked evenings while I took care of Heidi. When I came here your mother gave me a job and put Heidi in a wonderful place. They are good to her there and she has friends. But, it’s not cheap.”
Jasper’s forehead was pinched in a deep frown. “Portia was paying for Heidi’s care? That was where all the money was going?”
I nodded.
His frown remained. I felt my stomach knot up.
“Sundays . . . you leave here to see her, don’t you?”
I nodded again.
“The cookies,” he let out a laugh that held no humor. “And I thought you’d made them for some guy.”
“She likes cookies. And so does the staff there. I like to take them treats.”
He sighed and leaned back against the counter crossing his arms over his chest. “How much does the place cost a month?”
“It was six thousand. But I’m having her moved to a shared room which will decrease it to four thousand. She likes company. If I’d even known that was an option in the beginning I would have asked for that. But Portia had arranged everything and I had no clue. I was so grateful I didn’t question her. I also had no idea how much she was paying until this past week. Our deal was I worked and she gave me fifty dollars a week for gas and any other needs. The rest of my pay was to take care of Heidi. There were other places she could have put Heidi. I know I could find a more affordable home but she loves the people there. She’s adjusted. Losing mom was harder on her because she didn’t understand. Moving her from the only home she had known to live with strangers had been a huge adjustment for her. The idea of doing it again breaks my heart. I do not expect you to pay for that of course. I agree with you that it was too much. Especially now that I know how much it is. But if I could be allowed to work the second job, it will help.”
He didn’t say anything at first. I waited. I’d said all I could say.
“One last question. Why did you come here? To Portia?”
I wasn’t sure if Portia wanted him to know this part or not. But I was in too deep now. I had to confess everything. “My mother gave me a piece of paper with Portia’s name and address the day before she died. She was so sick. Her fever was high and she was delirious. She said the hospital bill would break us and refused to go. I thought she’d be fine at home, that she only had a bad cold. Then the coughing got worse. When she gave me the name and number and told me that if something happened to her to call that lady, I got scared.
When she went to sleep that night, I called 9–1-1. They came and took her and she was admitted to the hospital. But it was too late. She was too far gone. The day after her funeral, the landlord told me we were behind two months on rent. He hated to do it, but if we didn’t pay he’d have to evict us. I packed up our things and we came here, not knowing what to expect. Portia looked at the note, and asked us to come inside. The next day Heidi was moved into her new home. I began work.”
I could see Jasper was questioning who my mother was and why Portia would help her. I did too. Maybe he could find it out because I’d had no luck. He didn’t appear angry though. Just lost in thought. Portia had been there when I needed her. I felt guilty telling him what had happened. It felt like I had turned on her. Not asked her for permission. She should have been warned, I owed her that.
“I know you and your mother have a strained relationship. But she was there for us when we had no one. I should have talked to her before I told you everything. It’s not fair that I didn’t.”
His lips tugged up in an almost smile. “Do you worry about everyone, Beulah Edwards?”
“No. Not anymore than anyone else does.”
He laughed softly and shook his head. “I’d question that—did I just listen to you explain your life? You’re incredibly naïve. You can keep your second job. Portia isn’t in trouble.”
I sighed, relieved he was understanding. “Thank you. Can I make you breakfast now?”
The almost smile stayed in place and he picked up his coffee cup and handed it to me. “I make shit coffee. Can you make me some? Yours is better. And I’d like something to eat. I’m up early, so I’ll get dressed and come back.”
I took his cup and watched him leave. For the first time he arrived here, I didn’t feel fear clawing at my neck.
JASPER WAS FINISHING BREAKFAST WHEN Stone walked into the house. He was dressed in worn out jeans and a black T-shirt. I’d never seen him dress up like Jasper. He left every day, but I didn’t think it was for work.
“She makes damn good waffles. She puts some fruit cream stuff on them and there are strawberries inside,” Jasper told Stone as I took his plate.
“Sounds delicious,” he said with no enthusiasm.
“Could you bring one of those things for my charming friend here?” Jasper said with a roll of his eyes.
“Of course,” I replied and turned to Stone. “Can I get you coffee?”
He didn’t look at me, but nodded. “Juice too. Orange. Fresh squeezed.”
I left with Jasper’s plate before they began talking. I wondered if he would tell Jasper about my second job this morning. Maybe he had been waiting until it was awkward for me. That fit him. To be cruel.
I’d made several waffles, unsure who I would be feeding. So the only thing that took any time preparing Winston’s meal was squeezing the oranges in the ju
icer. Once I had his freshly squeezed juice, I carried his breakfast to the table.
“You’re going to have to discuss it with him sooner or later,” Jasper was saying as I walked back in.
“I didn’t ask you,” Stone replied.
Jasper smirked and turned his attention to me. “He’s always such a joy. Have you noticed that?”
I didn’t say anything. I didn’t even smile. I placed his food in front of him and stood back to see if there was anything else they needed.
“I plan on staying around this morning and speaking with Portia. If you’d like to be present I’m fine with that.”
I paused then. He was going to talk to her about Heidi and me? Why she helped us? That meant he’d possibly get the answers I had been curious about myself. Not that I wasn’t thankful for all she’d done, but because she knew my mother. She knew her once and I wanted to know how. I missed my mother and had no one to talk to about her. No friends to remember her with. Bringing her up when I was with Heidi always confused her. I had tried that once and it hadn’t gone well.
If Portia knew momma and could talk with me about her, I wanted that. I wanted anything Portia could offer. Any link to her. “I’d like that,” I told him.
Stone stopped mid-bite, his fork almost to his mouth. “What did I miss?”
Jasper looked at me and it was as if unspoken words were exchanged. With just a look I understood his question and he understood my answer. I’d never experienced that before. “Just Portia being Portia. I need to lay down some rules for her to follow regarding Beulah—she also works for me. Mother isn’t remembering that is all.”
Stone turned his gaze to me and I saw the accusation in his eyes. He thought I had lied about my job. That I was hiding it. I had the urge to defend myself but I didn’t. What he thought of me didn’t matter.
“Meet me in the great room at ten. She’ll be in her whiskey by then I’m sure,” he said.
I nodded my head once, then left the room.
