CHAPTER ONE

STEPHANIE

“And here is a vanilla milkshake for the sweet girl”. Little giggles follow as I drop the glass down. The diner was a little less crowded compared to other Friday evenings. And I had enough time to share with my little friend who laughed showing a gap between her teeth due to a fallen tooth.

“Thank you, Steph”, I bent down to her height and she placed a kiss on my cheek. This was our usual thing. A few months ago, she had walked in with Emma, her babysitter. She was kind of bummed because some kids at school had been mean to her.

Some kids can be really cruel. She was a sweet little girl who was not capable of any harm. They made her cry that day and my milkshake saved the day. It reminded me of a few nights ago, I was serving at one of the tables and a little boy, after a brief observation, had stated that I was dumb because all blondes are supposedly dumb.

I had kept my mouth shut and walked away, knowing very well that nothing decent would come out of it. I didn't blame the kid, I blamed the parents, who couldn't caution their kid.

Back then I had cheered her up with a milkshake which I paid for, and at the end of the day, she had officiated that we were best friends. I guess it is very easy for children to make friends.

“You are welcome, cupcake.” I kissed her cheek too, making her grin widely.

“I am sure Anna comes here mostly to see you. Milkshakes are just an excuse.” Emma smiled at me, the skin at the corner of her eyes wrinkling with the action. She looked kind, calm, and quiet for a woman of her age.

Since Anna had been visiting the Treats, I had never seen her with her parents or family, just Emma. I wouldn’t lie that I had not been a little curious but I didn’t like my nose where it didn't belong.

“If it is so, I am glad. I love seeing her.” I passed Emma a smile and lightly ruffled Anna’s hair before excusing myself from there.

Walking inside the kitchen, I put the tray down, a smile tugging at my mouth from the recent conversation I had with that sweet child.

It, however, turned into a frown as soon as the latest concerns came swimming back into my mind.

My dad’s health, let’s say, had been better than this and the treatments now have been reaching a hefty price. After the blockage in his heart was diagnosed, he could not continue with his job and our savings were being drained out. And he needed a heart transplant.

It would be expensive, to say the least. Though he tried to hide it from me and my mother but it did not get past us and now we work extra shifts to try to save up. I pressed my fingers against my forehead and shut my eyes.

“Stephanie”, I looked up, surprised that I had not noticed Olivia walk in.

“Liv, hey!” I tried forcing a smile which at best came out as a grimace. Balancing emotions was never a strong pursuit of mine. Putting on a façade and smiling whenever I got matters pressing me was out of my abilities.

Olivia exhaled she had known me too much. We had been friends for more than five years, we got into nursing school together “You are worrying too much!”. Concern reflected in her voice.

“I can’t help it. Things are not even good and my income is not helping.” Saying it out loud only added to the weight of the predicament I was in.

“I know but stressing this much can’t be good for you! You are working two jobs already.”

I worked as a hostess at Sails space and I took up serving at Treats as my second treat. My current financial conditions had me in this predicament. I was looking for a third job.

“You don’t understand!”. It wasn’t loud but dismissive. Yes, I meant it. She had just begun working at the hospital and was very good at it. Her parents were not dependent on her either, they paid her school bills then. Don’t get me wrong, I was happy that she was in a good place in her life but she wouldn’t completely understand how stressful things currently were for me.

“Yeah, I don’t! Nobody understands what it is like unless they are in your shoes but what I understand is that you are working your ass off. You’re doing your best!” She was almost shouting and I was grateful that the baker had gone out for a break.

“No, I’m not. I shouldn’t have left my last job”, I spoke gently, hitting the edge of the counter with my foot. Before Treats, I worked as a bartender where I was making much more than this, I got good tips too.

“That was not an option. How could you have possibly worked under that perverted guy?”. She sounded shocked that I was considering it. A few weeks back, I wouldn’t have actually. Workplace harassment by a sleazy perverted boss- the same old thing. But now I need that money.

Pressing my lips in a thin line, I ran my hand through the length of my hair. I had applied to several firms, hoping I could switch to a better-paying job but I was yet to hear back from them. “I don’t know, Liv. I just-“, I was cut off by a squeaky voice.

“Stephanie? Are you sad?" Anna stood there looking at me with her bright eyes. I sighed before a small but genuine smile touched my lips. I crouched down in front of her.

“Maybe”, I shrugged.

“Don’t be sad. Do you want candy?”, the corners of her lips dipped down in distress.

I smiled and shook my head at her suggestion. ”Although, I would very much want a hug.” She stuck her hands towards me eagerly. Wrapping her hands around my neck, she hugged me before pulling back and smiling at me.

“Are you happy now?”. Her eyes shone hopefully which had me nodding at once.

“I am. See, I’m smiling “. I flicked her nose causing a small giggle to escape her lips. She was precious. For a child her age to care so much was rare.

“Anna, we need to go home now”, Emma, who was standing behind her, said.

“Okay.” She looked back at me and waved.

“Bye, Anna”. I smiled at her.

“Bye, Steph”. They walked out of the kitchen and the bell rang as they left the diner.

“The kid is so sweet,” Olivia smiled.

“She is. Kids have such a simple life. Candy is the solution to all their problems.” I chuckled and Olivia joined before we fell into a comfortable silence.

She brought her hand forward and placed it on mine encouragingly. “These jobs you're applying for, I know you are going to land one.”

“Hope so.”