Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 60948 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 305(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60948 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 305(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
Her shoulders slump. “I just can’t keep all the balls in the air anymore, Mia. I’ve tried too hard. I’ve borrowed all I can borrow. Shuffled the bills around every way I can. I can’t do it anymore.”
“Yes, you can.” I reach out and take her hand in mine. “You can, and you will. I’ll switch my night off from Tuesday to Wednesday and I’ll take care of Dre that night. There’s one problem solved.”
“It’s not just that, though,” she says sadly.
“I’ve been making great tips lately and I’ve got some extra money put away. I’ll buy Dre a coat and help more with the bills.”
Tears overflow Anita’s eyes. “Why would you do any of this? I haven’t even been nice to you.”
“Girl, you ain’t got time to be nice to me. You’re a working single mom going to law school. Law school, Anita. You’re gonna be an attorney, making a difference in people’s lives. What kind of law do you plan to practice?”
“My dream is to work at the Southern Poverty Law Center.”
I take her other hand and squeeze both of hers in mine. “Listen to me. That would be a dream for me, but for you, it’s a goal. You can do this. We’re getting you through law school. I’ll help with laundry and cooking and Dre. You just need to tell me what you need, okay?”
Anita pulls her hands from mine, covering her face as she weeps.
“Mia, I don’t know what to say. I didn’t think there was any way…”
“We can do this,” I tell her.
“My own family won’t help me like you are.”
I step forward and wrap my arms around her in a hug. “You took me in when I needed a place desperately. You trusted me and gave me a place to live. I owe you.”
“You pay your way and you know it.”
I laugh and hug her tighter. “You’re just a little stubborn, you know that? You remind me of my grandma.”
Anita laughs. Just a bit, but it’s a laugh. And I think it’s the first one I’ve ever heard from her.
“Thank you, Mia.” Her voice cracks with emotion, and I almost lose it.
“I want a ticket to your law school graduation,” I say. “Dre and I will be there. You think about that as you grind out this last year, okay?”
“Okay.”
“I’ll make some dinner before I go to work,” I say. “Dre can come to the store with me.”
“Are you sure?”
“Completely sure.”
Anita looks a little bit lighter as she washes the dishes. I’m not sure who feels better—me or her. It feels really good to be needed, and to be helping someone who deserves it.
Guess I’ll be putting on more pots of invisible tea.
That evening, I step out of my Uber and make it into the bar just as my shift is about to start.
“I was getting worried,” Janice says as I tie on my black bar apron. “You’re always early.”
“Yeah, I was busy today.”
Busy is an understatement. Dre wore my ass out today. It was fun, though. We played, walked to the store, took a forty-five minute nap, played some more and made dinner together. He’s a sweet boy who loves helping. Any form of attention lights him up.
I’m leaving my phone in the break room before my shift when I look down and see a text.
Anton: Hey, hope you’re good. No Uber tonight. I’m in town and will be there to get you at 2. And just so we’re clear, I’m not fucking you.
I smile, warming from head to toe. Wise or not, I’m definitely getting attached to Anton. Tucking my phone into my backpack, I head for the bar, a guy reaching out to grab my arm on the way.
“Hey, sexy! What kind of bourbon you got?”
I look down at my arm. “Excuse me?”
“Come on, just havin’some fun.” He rubs his crotch with his free hand.
I scowl and pull my arm away. “Go fuck yourself, dickhead.”
Fortunately, he’s my most obnoxious customer of the night. And one woman gives me a $20 tip on a $60 tab, which is great.
I’ve just returned from my break when I look over at the door, hoping to see Anton. He usually comes in for water around this time when he’s giving me a ride that night.
But instead, I see Adam, and a wave of nausea rolls through me. He looks back at me, unsmiling.
I can’t believe I ever thought he was attractive. His short black hair and intense dark eyes only look ominous to me now.
My stomach is in knots as Adam makes his way over to the bar. I have to steady my breathing as I pour drinks, reminding myself I’m safe here.
I think that’s why I feel so violated right now. Lucky Seven is my place. It’s part of my new life, without bad memories. Adam shouldn’t be here.