Chapter 4

Lizzie

                I got up and wandered to the kitchen needing coffee before my day at the restaurant began. Tom had been in a mood yesterday and I hoped that he was in a much better mood today. As I half stumbled to the kitchen Charlie put a cup of coffee on the counter and slowly backed away. After a year of living together they knew not to attempt conversation with me until at least halfway through my first cup. As I poured the liquid gold into my cup and added more creamer then was needed, I held the cup between my hands and took a sip. I instantly felt warm and slightly more human. Shay Stretched as well and started wake up. Coffee is our happy place!

Charlie “well good morning sleeping beauty. You got in late last night. “

Lizzie “unfortunately it wasn’t for a fun reason, Tom was in a mood after another server quit last night. He had me stay and close up, so I didn’t get out of there until after midnight. He really needs to not insult every single woman he hires. He told the poor girl he had hired that if she wanted better tips then she needed to dress like she wanted those tips. I still can’t believe I am working for the pig. I really need to restart my job search.”

Charlie, “we have been telling you for months that you needed to find another job, or better yet go back to school and get your diploma you are way to smart to waste your time waiting tables!”

Lizzie, “I know you have been saying that but how would I pay my rent if I was in school that would mean cutting back my hours. Then I couldn’t afford to live with you guys and there is no way I am going to find better roommates then you two!”

Charlie “We will take care of the rent! We adore you and only want the best for you. Stephen and I know how hard you work, and we want you to do more with your life! Please think about it.”

Lizzie “You both are amazing but there is no way I could do that. I will think about going back to school though. Maybe there is a night program? But for now, I head back to the restaurant to open up for lunch.”

                I gave Charlie a quick hug and then headed back to my room to get ready for work. As much as I hated working for Tom, I refused to take advantage of Charlie and Stephen, even though they were offering me exactly what I know I need to get my GED. I finished the coffee in my cup and then set it down to get in the shower. By the time I was out of the shower and dressed in this horrible uniform that showed way more skin than I was comfortable with, but Tom would fire me if I wore something else. Especially after the poor girl last night he was definitely going to be an ass.

Shay, “you should really think about their offer. We can keep track of what you owe them and pay them back. Plenty of people use loans to go to school and this way you can get a job working with kids like you have always wanted to. We are safe here and we don’t have to run.”

Lizzie, “I know I should, but I just can’t put my future into someone else’s hands. I need to find a way to do this on my own, and I will I promise we won’t have to deal with Tom forever.”

                In the last year I had saved up enough to get the cutest little bug Volkswagen. It was yellow and had more issues than I could count but at least it was mine. I slid into the car and prayed lady would start the first time, thankfully she did start, and I was on my way to work. When I got to the restaurant Tom was nowhere to be found! Thank god I got to set up the place in peace. The kitchen crew was already getting there working away. In went the headphones and I just blocked out the rest of the world and got all the chairs down and the tables set up. This was my normal routine; I was always the first one here. About halfway through my set-up Tom stumbled in and smacked my ass as he walked past. I swear one of these days I was going to throat punch the jerk. For now, I grit my teeth and let it go, just focus on working.

                The lunch rush was in full swing when Shay started going crazy in my head. She was pacing and on edge. I keep telling her to calm down, but she can’t she is all over the place.

Shay, “something is different Lizzie, I can feel it. Something big is coming!”

Lizzie, “what do you mean something is coming? Is it the local pack? Do we need to run?”

I was starting to freak out. I kept looking around trying to figure out what was setting Shay off like this. She is usually the calm one and I’m the crazy one. I didn’t smell anything off. No new wolves were around. I never smelled any wolves in this area. I chose to live here because they never came to this part of town.