The biggest problem with waitressing is that Becki really freaking hates it, okay?It's miserable. People are so rude to you, all the time, and your arms ache after each shift from carrying around everybody's hot plates and their stupid trays of cocktails and wine and soda and god knows what else.And nobody is ever happy, either. They ordered a Cabernet Sauvignon, but all your restaurant sells is Merlot. Well. You'd think the entire sky was falling down, the way some people car
"I'm so glad you chose a December wedding, darling girl," Jeanette says to me, looking a bit misty-eyed. She steps back from the mirror we're both looking in after adjusting my veil and clasps her hands in front of her."Me, too," I breathe, lifting a hand to touch my face. Jeanette slaps it away, playfully."What are you doing?" she exclaims. "You're going to ruin all of Maya's hard work. You look stunning, my dearest. Don't smudge your foundation, I beg of you. Are you nervous? A mimos
"Marcus!" I shout, tripping over the last step at the bottom of the staircase. "Ouch! Damn it, we need to get that fixed. Marcus, where are you?""I'm in here, carina," Marcus calls back. He comes out of the kitchen with a raised eyebrow. "Just making your coffee. I think I've almost got this machine figured out, I swear."I burst out laughing. "It's been five years, honey. I think if you were going to get along with that machine, it would've happened by now."
The day of my release has finally come, but it's not the reason I've been waiting for so long. Today is the day my boyfriend Charles will finally propose to me.My cellmate Trina hugged me tightly. "We don't want you to leave. If you go, who will help us with wounds and illnesses? That idiot who only engages in harassment but goes by the name of a doctor?"I don't want my release day to be so sad. I hugged Trina and said, "Cheer up. You know how long I've been counting down to today. Aren't you happy for me?"Before going to prison, I had a bright future as a surgeon, and Charles was a rising star in politics. We were a perfect match.When a political opponent planted drugs in his home, I stepped forward to take full responsibility for it. Even though I lost my medical license, I ensured my loved one's future. He promised me that the day I got out of prison would be the day he proposed to me.Trina shakes back her long braids. "I said, do you really think this Charles dude is going to
The next bus only gets me within three miles of home. I want to get there faster, but my phone is dead after trying to call Charles multiple times. My calls wouldn't go through, and I have a sick feeling in my gut that my number has been blocked.The air is chilly, and I hug my inadequate coat closer to my body. Frozen slush sticks to my shoes. By the time I turn the corner and see our big, white house sitting squarely in the middle of the block, I'm freezing.I reluctantly go up the front steps, unsure of what I'll find when I get inside. Should I knock? It feels foolish to knock at my own front door, but I don't even have a key anymore.Turns out, I don't have to worry. The door flings open before I can even reach for the doorbell, and my stepbrother Brodie stands in front of me with a smug grin on his face."Woohoo!" he shouts. "Mom! Paul! The convict returns to darken our doorstep!"Becki's blonde head pokes out from another doorway behind him. "Oh, my god," my stepsister says in
"We don't hire people with a criminal record, miss," the manager of Graham's Grocery says coldly, shoving my resume back across his desk as if it's contaminated. "This is a family business. We hold our employees to a certain standard."I gather my resume, trying not to cry, but tears overspill and trickle down my cheeks, anyway. The manager looks embarrassed, annoyed at my emotion. He turns his face away and ignores me as I stumble from his office.A nearby security guard clocks my tears as well, and is equally unfeeling about it. He gestures to the fire exit nearby. "This way, please, miss." I slip out into the alleyway and straight into an ankle-deep puddle, the heavy door slamming behind me with an air of finality.Still no news about or from Charles. No one will tell me anything, and I don't understand why. What does my family have to gain from lying like this? If they're so worried about humiliation, why don't they stand up for me?What are they getting out of still protecting th
After dumping my belongings at the cheapest hotel I could find at the last minute, I head over to an auction house I know, to offload the jewelry and designer bags Charles has given me over the years.I don't want it anymore, and I could definitely use the cash, even if I only get a fraction of what it's worth.The appraiser looks up at me after sorting through the pile I'd dumped haphazardly onto her desk. The look of pity in her face betrays her next words."I'm so sorry, honey," she says gently. "I know you wouldn't be here if you knew, which means someone has lied to you terribly. These are all fakes. Good fakes, but fakes."I feel the blood drain from my face. "What?" I whisper. My head is swirling, pounding. This cannot be happening – haven't I suffered enough? When will the blows stop coming?"I'm so sorry," she says again, reaching out to pat my hand. "Whoever he is, he's given you a pile of junk. It's worthless, hon. I can't give you anything for it. I'm so sorry."Tears stre
The ambulance arrives quickly, probably thanks to the fact that it's the Alpha's son who calls for one. Elena, the little girl, is carefully lifted onto a stretcher. Her mom flutters anxiously beside her, and they're both gently led to the waiting ambulance.Marcus catches sight of Martin, his photographer, hovering over his shoulder with the film running."That's enough footage," he says. "We don't want to overdo it, Marty. We need to strike a good balance between 'heroic Alpha's son assists glamorous doctor during medical emergency' and 'exploiting an impoverished kid and invading her privacy for political clout.'"Martin nods. "I'll try to minimize how much of her face gets shown, too," he says. "You're right – this is a great opportunity to show people how involved you are in your community, but we don't want to overdo it and piss people off. We can settle it in tomorrow's meeting."Marcus agrees. "Take off for the rest of the afternoon, put something together for me to review, an