“Maybe you should go home?” The look of concern on Brenda’s face shifted mischievously as she joked. “I hate to tell you this but you’ve got dark circles under your eyes. You’re not going to catch a rich husband looking like death warmed over.”
Jade sighed. “No luck in that happening anyway. Who would want to bring home a waitress and cleaning lady?”
“If I were still your age and had those dimples—and your figure, I would certainly use it to my advantage. I still can’t understand how you never seem to notice any of those rich men flirting with you. Some of them are even young and handsome.” Brenda rolled her eyes. “I would be planning my wedding as we speak.”
Brenda’s kidding pulled another small smile from Jade. “Flirting and making a life with someone are two different things. I’m not looking for a husband.” As Jade started to move she wobbled slightly.
Brenda still wasn’t convinced that Jade shouldn’t just go home. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m exhausted from all the time I’ve been putting in working, but I get off in a couple more hours, so there really is no point in leaving. Plus, we’re already down a person. I don’t want to add to the stress of this night. As soon as I get home, I’m going to crash.”
There was absolutely no way Jade could leave early given that they were short staffed, and she needed the money badly. Taking time off for being sick was a luxury she couldn’t afford, especially on Fridays when tips were always so good. There wasn’t any wiggle room this month since her roommate, Katrina, just up and moved out a few days ago. She left without warning leaving behind a financial mess.
Jade had always given Katrina her half of the rent because it was her apartment. She trusted that she had been paying it. Jade was stunned when she came home late, dog tired from work yesterday, to find an eviction notice on their door. Jade couldn’t believe it. That girl hadn’t paid rent for over two months! Jade had only one week to come up with this month’s and the past two month’s rent. Fortunately, she had managed to scrape together most of the money using a small amount of savings she’d put away for school, but was still almost a thousand dollars short. It killed Jade to have to use that cash. It was the first time she’d ever been this close to going to college. Year after year, Jade had put it off because she couldn’t afford it, but this upcoming semester she’d saved enough for two classes. Her hope of going to school was put on hold—again. The worst part about it was even after using her savings and this week’s paycheck, she was still short. That’s why going home sick tonight, or any other night for that matter, was out of the question. If she could work every day next week at Mario’s and get a couple of extra days at her cleaning job, she would only be short a few hundred dollars. Who needs sleep? She hoped that maybe the landlord would give her a break and a bit more time to pay the rest.
Jade took another deep breath. Her chest hurt, but she felt steady enough to get moving. “Thanks, Brenda. I really am fine now. I better get these appetizers and drinks to my customers before this food gets cold and I don’t get a tip.”
Jade walked through the double doors from the kitchen back onto the main floor, while attempting to balance the large tray without dropping anything. She stopped at table three and smiled despite her headache. “My apologies for the delay, but I’ve brought your water.” The woman with the bleached blonde hair and overly botoxed face gave her a slight nod and what looked like a smile before responding.
“Goodness, I’m dying of thirst.” Jade really couldn’t tell if that was a smile or if she was being sarcastic since her face seemed literally frozen. The woman was distracted by a call on her cell phone and bent, reaching into her purse to answer it. Her dinner companion took that opportunity to wink at her. Jade didn’t respond. She pretended to not even notice. Undeterred, he slid his business card into the pocket of her apron as if she’d invited his advances. Why did men think just because she was a waitress that she was absent any morals and values? Instead of smacking his hand away, Jade moved out of his reach. She quickly twisted the cap off of the little, blue bottle and poured the contents into a crystal glass. She’d experienced overly forward men before and was almost numb to it. Instead of cursing the man out and possibly losing her tips, or worse her job, Jade wondered why anyone would pay twelve dollars for a glass of water.
By the time she was done filling the glass, the woman had finished her call. Thank God Jade thought, as she turned to face both of them. She smiled and asked, “Do either of you need anything else?” The man returned her smile innocently enough before shaking his head no, and the woman looked straight through her waving Jade away as if she were nothing. Rich people could be so rude. It didn’t matter; Jade was glad to go, especially after the gross advances by her dinner date. She couldn’t help but wonder if her lifetime of bad luck would ever end.
Jade couldn’t get away fast enough. In her haste, she accidentally bumped into Natalie, another waitress, as she moved over to her other customers at table five. She mouthed sorry, and Natalie responded by mouthing the words back no biggie. Again, Jade pasted on a smile, this time for a rambunctious group of five young businessmen who were more than a little full of themselves. She hoped her
