Hard

AllieRiley’s was packed. It was just one of those nights where everyone and their mother had to have the classic, greasy diner food. It was good, because it meant I might get enough in tips to actually put something aside in the hospital savings jar in addition to making the payment to my increasingly impatient landlord. Unfortunately, it also meant I was going to be exhausted. Not that that was anything new. I tightened the strings of my apron where they’d gotten loose and checked my cleavage one more time in the mirror. Although Christel told me every night I’d get more tips if I showed a little more of the ‘ladies,’ I just couldn’t quite bring myself to do it. That was what got you the wrong kind of attention – and it was how I’d met Shae. James, the cook, served up the four meals I was waiting for and I snatched them up quickly. They were haphazardly balanced across both of my arms. I went out onto the floor to deposit them, sharing a quick nod with Christel as she headed back for her next order. The group at the table was made up of college students. I had only four orders, despite there being six of them, but I was pretty sure one was sharing with another and the last one was just not eating. Ever. Give that girl a sandwich, I thought unkindly. Nights like these always frazzled me toward the end. I put the plates down, smiling at the group. Four guys, two girls. Not very evenly matched. “Is there anything else I can get you?” I asked them. The girls barely paid me any attention, but the young man closest to me leaned forward. “Not off the menu,” he said, grinning slyly. “But what else do you have to offer?” That familiar slimy feeling ran down my spine, but my smile didn’t falter. I was used to this type of behavior and, despite being a virgin, I wasn’t dumb enough to miss what he was referring to. Playing like I was, however, would save me and perhaps my tip. I tilted my head to the side, working hard to form that vacant expression that told everyone I was as dumb as a box of rocks. “I don’t think James likes it when customers put in requests that aren’t on the menu,” I said with wide eyes. I worked hard to sound innocent, because I needed him to believe that I was just stupid, not mocking. Smiling, I added, “James is the cook.” The man’s smile faltered, but he didn’t seem put off by my pretended stupidity. Not good. He scooted to the edge of the booth and I saw his hand move too late. He palmed my backside. I jerked away from him, my smile dropping completely. I noticed one of his friends rolling his eyes and another look embarrassed, but no one did or said anything. “C’mon honey, don’t be like that,” he said, scooting closer again so that he could reach for me a second time. I moved away once more and his hand grazed my thigh as a result. “Pretty thing like you? I’m sure you’ve got something tasty to offer.” Gross, I thought and took a full step back this time. I wanted to tell him to leave me alone, to stop being so sleazy, but I needed this job. My boss wasn’t a complete asshole, but he didn’t like complaining customers. And that was all it would take. One complaint from this jerk and I could lose my job. He could say that I’d been rude, unaccommodating. He could say whatever he wanted. That line of reasoning kept my mouth sealed – and the rest of me terrified. I was frozen, trying to figure out what to do, when one of the girls finally seemed to get tired of what was going on. “Jesus, Sam, don’t be such a scumbag. She’s obviously not interested.” Turning to me, the petite blonde who didn’t look like she did a lot of eating, offered me a polite smile. “I think this is everything for us. Have your friend bring the check.” She motioned toward Christel and my heart fell a little. There goes my tip. Not that Christel wouldn’t share with me, but there was no way this group of snotty kids was going to leave anything good now. Especially if the look on Sam’s face was any indication. I forced a smile anyway, then walked away. The rest of my night went about like that.