Chapter 1 Crusty’s Diner
SHELBY'S POV
"Finally," I sighed, locking the door behind the last customers for the night. My feet had been killing me since the lunch rush. My ankles were swollen, and I was pretty sure I had outgrown the shoes I had on. The cheap sneakers were stretched so tightly around my toes that I had developed blisters.
I moved to wipe down the counter after I refilled the ketchup and mustard bottles. Mr. Parks liked everything in order when the breakfast shift began, something about the night shift workers not leaving their workload on the morning shift workers.
I snickered to myself because I'd been the day and night shift worker here at Crusty's Diner for five months now. Today, I'd just completed my twenty-second sixteen-hour shift in a row, and I kept begging Mr. Parks to hire more help. But he kept telling me he couldn't afford it.
The pointed heels of Vicky came scraping over the floor as she exited the boss's office, buttoning the top of her work uniform and then sniffing the white envelope in her hand like it was sprayed with sweet perfume.
Great, the checks are here.
Vicky grabbed her crossbody bag, stuffed her check inside, then slung the bag over her shoulder.
I pouted as I watched her through slit eyelids. She caught me staring at her.
"What?" she scowled at me, eyeing me from head to toe.
"Don't tell me you're dipping out early tonight... when you still have your section to clean," I told her. I was tired of cleaning up by myself when I worked the night shifts with Vicky. It had become a nightly routine.
While I was doing all of the scrubbing, mopping, and wiping, she was doing the boss and sometimes his identical twin sons.
"Mr. P says I can leave early," she rolled her eyes and grinned. Her pink lipstick was smudged all around her mouth.
"Again?" I raved. "Vicky, I can't keep doing this. I need help. I'm tired, and I shouldn't have to keep asking you to do your job."
Plus, my hair was a mess and my clothes smelled like puke and burnt toast. I had itches in places that needed some good scrubbing.
"Well, take it up with the boss," she flipped her blonde hair, swiping her fingers over her phone then placing it at her ear.
I rolled my eyes, cursing under my breath as I began cleaning up Vicky's section...again.
"You will not believe this, girl! I got another raise!"
I paused, my ears like antennae as I listened in on her phone call from across the room.
"I can finally buy that ticket for the Creatures of the Night concert this weekend!" she squealed.
Unbelievable. I'd been asking for a raise for a month now, but Mr. Parks told me he couldn't afford it. I watched Vicky giggling her way out the door, leaving me alone with the workload again.
Taking the trash out back was the final chore for the night. I wondered if Mr. Parks was busy. I normally didn't get my check until Friday mornings, but since Vicky had already gotten hers, I decided to go ask for mine.
I was behind on my rent and I needed food in my house. The only things I had to eat at home right now were noodles and a six-pack of Diet Coke that Mr. P gave his workers because they had expired since last month.
I wiped my hands on my apron before knocking on my boss's door.
"Come in," his gravelly voice answered. I pushed the door open and stepped inside. He had his glasses hanging at the bridge of his nose while he read over what looked like horse gambling papers. He looked up through his eyeglasses. "What is it, Shelly?"
"It's Shelby, sir," I cleared my throat. "I was wondering if I could get my paycheck tonight."
This seemed to have stirred his spirits because he straightened in his chair. "Why?"
Because I worked hard for that money. That's what I wanted to say. But instead, I placed a neat smile on my face. "Well, I overheard Vicky saying she got her check, so I thought—"
"Well, Shirley, you thought wrong." He cut me off. He used a folded napkin to dry the bald spot in the middle of his head and I couldn't help but wonder what the appeal was with him. It must be his money because he was sickening to look at.
"You see, Vicky had spoken to me about getting her pay early, and since she is my top employee providing us with exceptional workmanship, I decided to reward her and grant her request," he stated with a huge smile on his face.
And by exceptional workmanship, he meant sucking him off whenever he pleased.
"Maybe you should take a page out of Vicky's book and go above and beyond. And maybe, just maybe, you can have such privileges then."
"OK, Mr. Parks. I will," I replied, defeated.
"That's the spirit, Sally. Have a great night."
"You too, Mr. Parks." I smiled, closing the door behind me.
I guess my rent and a proper home-cooked meal would have to wait.
I wrapped my jacket around my body and made my way to the parking lot. The wind had picked up, and it sent chills through the thin fabric of my uniform. I wasted no time and hurried into the driver's seat of my Buggy. I placed the key in the ignition and gave it a turn. My car hacked and rumbled like an old smoker... and then it went quiet.
"No! No! No!" I chanted, turning the key again. Nothing.
The car had been having battery issues for a while now, and I had promised myself that as soon as I paid my rent, hospital bills, student loans, and repaid my parents for all they did for me, I would get myself a new battery. But life kept messing with my plans.
I sighed, pulling out my phone, thinking I could call my bestie for a ride. "Of course. It's dead," I grunted. Just perfect.
I guess I was going to have to walk home then.