No, the time he’d considered selling her to pay for a debt, that had been the final straw. He’d never actually done it, but it had gotten so close that she’d feared for her life. Unlike Becky, she didn’t come from a great family or have a wonderful childhood.
When her mother left her trapped in a closet, it had taken her father three days to come home. She’d been eight, screaming to be let out.
She pushed those memories aside, and instead, turned back to her friend.
“You don’t think I’ve got it in me?” Ally asked, looking at her friend.
“I believe you have it in you. I’ve never met anyone as smart or as determined as you, but when it comes to the law, who exactly would you be protecting?”
“The innocent.”
“Honey, don’t take this the wrong way, but you’re not the best judge of character.”
“Says who?”
“Me. For one thing, you’ve got the whole issue with your dad. Do you really think you can make unbiased opinions?”
“It was an idea.”
“Last week you wanted to be a surgeon. Do you remember?” Becky asked.
“Why are we having this discussion?”
“You were the one who came to me. Let’s see, in the last three months, you’ve wanted to become a nanny, a forensic scientist, an analyst, a physiotherapist, an owner of some app or another.”
“Okay, I get it.”
“I’m not done. In the past week, we’ve gone from surgeon, beautician, lawyer, hairdresser, designer, and I think one of my favorites was quilting as well.”
Okay, she was fickle. Or maybe she was just lost with nothing and no one to ground her. Ally didn’t know what she wanted or needed out of life.
She rolled her eyes. “You make it sound like I have no direction.”
“Honey, you don’t.”
“So, I’m undecided about how I want to take my future.” She shrugged.
“Have you ever thought about maybe applying for another job and seeing where that takes you?”
“Of course, I have, but I don’t want to let Ben down.” Ben was the owner of Riches place, and he’d given her a chance even though she’d never been a barmaid. Even though she got the job with a fake ID and he knew it. “It feels a little like I’m not being loyal.”
“Please, you are loyal, but he’ll understand that even you want to have a life and do something else. Not everyone stays in the same job forever. I don’t know why we’re having this discussion. You’re nineteen. We should be fucking our problems away until Monday morning.”
“Yeah, you can do that and not worry about the giant headache you’re going to get, and with work.”
Becky didn’t work. She didn’t need to work. She was rich and her parents supported her. Her best friend was also five years older than her, and she’d already done a couple of years in college and hated it.
“Sweetheart, you know I’d hire you in an instant.”
“I know, but that doesn’t feel right. You’re my friend.” She put her hand over Becky’s. “I’ll figure out something else. I don’t know what came over me. I woke up really restless. Like I need to do something or something bad is going to happen. I don’t know.”
“I think you need to find a good man, one with a nice big dick, and have a little fun. That’s what I believe.”
“I’ve got to serve. Are you sticking around for a little bit?”
Becky’s cell phone went off. “Ugh, I was going to stay, but it would appear my presence has been demanded by those of importance.”
“Your parents?”
“Yes, my daughterly persona is needed.” Becky leaned over the counter and Ally kissed her cheek. “Good night.”
“Night.”
“And think about what I said,” Becky said.
“Sorry, I won’t be leaving here tonight with a man.”
“Pity. You could have at least done something more interesting. Later.”
Ally waved at her friend. The rest of her evening was uneventful. No fighting. Just serving. Beer, shots, whiskey, some cocktails.
Ben came to join her toward the end, to hustle out the last of the customers. With the doors closed, she stuck around, cleaning up. There were a few broken glasses, which she told him about.
“Ben, can I ask you something?” Ally asked.
“Sure.”
“Did you ever go to college?”
Ben laughed. “I did. I took business. I never actually passed it though. I was the guy who was always at the parties. Some of the cocktails you serve are my own creations. Why? Are you thinking of going?”
“Sometimes. I’m not really sure what to do with my life.” Her parents hadn’t exactly been inspirational on her career choices, and she didn’t even know what happened to her mom. The last she’d heard, she was living with a junkie downtown.
“Don’t overthink everything. Just find out what you like and go with it. It’s all anyone can do.”
“Says the guy who owns several bars and clubs across the country.”
“Again, a degree didn’t get me that. Go on, get out of here. I’ll finish cleaning up. Would you like me to walk you home?”
“No, I came by car. I heard it was going to rain tonight. I didn’t want to take any chances.”
“You want me to walk you out to your car?”
“I’m good.” She didn’t like accepting help. A strength or a flaw, she wasn’t sure. If she got used to Ben being there for her, it would be impossible for her to imagine going to her car without him. She’d been taking care of herself for so long, accepting help was difficult. “See you tomorrow night.”
“Night, Ally.”
She grabbed her bag and jacket from the back, letting herself out the delivery entrance, toward the back of the parking lot. Her car was beneath a flickering lamp. It hadn’t been flickering for days, and now it suddenly decided it wanted to be on the out.
Shaking her head, she moved toward her car, key at the ready. The alarm was shot, and she didn’t want to waste any cash, so she pressed the key into the lock
