Chapter 4

"I think you are better off wearing the blue one ma'am," I said.

Madison said, "Excuse me," as she turned to face me.

Her companion and her helper both raised an eyebrow at me. I was probably fired for speaking out of turn at this point.

"I mean, a woman like you, the blue one perfectly highlights your curves. It shows your elegance, that you are different and not like the other girls. It says 'irresistible', you need to make him imagine what he could have. You will be the envy of them all." I was speaking while glancing at the gown. "Besides, black is last year's season," I said.

She gave me a sidelong glance before focusing on her reflection in the mirror. As she tucked her hair behind her ear, she said, "I suppose you are correct."

I merely stroked her ego.

Madison said, "Maybe she should take your job," looking at her assistant.

That was a close one, I sighed. Before any of us get into problems, I hope Ivy can remove the outfit. 

As fortune would have it, Ivy left the restroom.

As they gazed at the garment in her hand, all heads turned to watch her. I'm hoping she thought of a clever tale to hide this problem.

Maddison questioned, "Where were you the whole time?"

She said nervously, "I was just cleaning up your bathroom ma'am."

Madison yelled, "What were you doing with that?"

"I'm sorry ma'am, I was just looking for some closet space to put it," Ivy said.

She was unable to exit the closet without drawing attention from anyone in the bedroom as she was on her way to the restroom.

Taking the clothing from her hand, Maddison brushed her off.

"Do you need anything else, ma'am?" I responded.

She shooed us away, saying, "No, you can go."

I gave a nod, then quickly left the apartment behind. 

Ivy ran on her small legs and trailed after me.

I muttered to her, "Don't ever do that to me again; you know my heart can't take it."

She said, "Trust me, I learned my lesson."

My shift finished at about five in the morning. My feet were arching by the time my shift finished, and I could hardly stand without feeling as though I was walking on molten lava. I could hardly keep my eyes open right now, yet I slept through my little break.

However, I was going to the day shift starting next week, so maybe things would be better.

I walked into the home with my eyes half closed, kicking off my shoes. 

Katy and Mom must be getting ready to leave the house right now.

Our front door always makes a loud sound, so I carefully closed it.

My mother's voice came from the living room, "Hello honey."

I listened to her voice.

On the couch, she lay. She was usually up and about, attempting to get Katy ready for school.

I kissed her cheek and said, "Morning, Mom." "Aren't you preparing to get to work today?" I responded.

Mom was employed at a nearby shoe factory. She has been employed by them for the past 10 years; I have always advised her to look for a new position, but given her age, this may be particularly difficult.

She let out a sigh.

"Yesterday on my way to work, someone pushed me on the subway, and I sprained my ankle badly." She stopped. The tears welling up in her eyes were visible to me. "The manager fired me; they said I couldn't work anymore. And because of my age, it didn't make things better either." She broke down.

I embraced her in a hug and said, "It's okay Mom, it's going to be okay."

"How? You are already working so hard. You are supposed to be studying and following your dreams like all your other agemates, instead, I'm just a burden to you." She broke down.

I gave her a closer hug. "I could never consider you to be a burden," I said.

The three of us hugged for a long time before Katy joined in.

"I'm so sorry I can't give you two the life that you deserve," she said in a whisper.

I said, "You couldn't have done better."

The first to pull out of the hug was Mom. "Katy, you need to get to school. I know you are only joining in so you can avoid going to school." Mom said.

I laughed.

"Come on, you know I Studied the whole year's work during my summer break. I already know everything they are teaching; school is a waste of my time." She said,

Our little prodigy, Katy, was constantly reading novels far older than she was.

Mom scowled at her, showing Katy how serious she was without having to say anything more.

"I'm going to go and lay down for a bit," I said.

"I had some food prepared for you in the oven," Mom said.

"When I wake up, I'll just eat," I said, wiping my eyes.

I made my way to my bedroom upstairs.

I heard Mom cry downstairs, "Katy, you need to get ready for school. The bus will be here any moment!"

That was my household. 

I leaned my back against the wall and sighed. We were already one month behind on our rent, so I'm not sure how we were going to make ends meet this month. Fortunately, the landlord was understanding enough to make accommodations.

I counted out three hundred fifty dollars, the last of my funds from my tips at the restaurant, and put it into a jar. Maybe by the time I'm forty, I won't be in debt if things continue the way they are. We would need to work another part-time job for me to make ends meet.

I had to make this work, and I would