The Queen

She Works Hard For Her Money

    The sound of kids squealing and teens chatting greeted me as soon as the back doors closed behind me. That was probably going to be the last time I went out there at night, especially if I was alone.

    Lenny gestured to the rack of uniforms, clearly wanting me to change and start tending to tables. I gave him a tight lipped smile before slipping into the uniform and slipping on my name tag that read: Laura. Just as I was about to push the next set of doors to start waitressing I felt a light tap on my shoulder.

    My eyes met those of Vanessa who was a kind person, I might even call her a friend if I was worthy of one. Her normal smile rested on her young chubby face and I returned one back.

    “Hey Laur, wanna team up again?” Vanessa wiggled her eyebrows in excitement. A small laugh escaped my lips, “Sure Van, why not?” I was met with a kind smile and an equally kind voice, “You’re the best! Let’s get a drink tonight, on me.” I looked at the floor in hesitation and Vanessa took notice, “Come on, just one at least, we’ve never went out as friends before.”

    Trying to match the smile that she had given me, I shook my head yes and Vanessa jumped up and down with joy. When she finished her little burst of happiness she gave me a quick smile before slipping on her own name tag and bursting through the double doors. After all, I had already taken my usual walk in the woods. 

    Our shift flew by pretty fast, with only a little groping here and there from drunk customers, but as per usual, Lenny did not pay them, or us, any mind. Apparently it was fine for a grown man with a wife and children to get drunk and grope a young adult who merely wanted enough money to get by. What could I say to that when clearly nobody else was bothered by it. 

    Trying to shake my head out of the clouds and my depressing reality, I slipped out of my uniform and into my loose clothing once more. After I changed I went straight to splitting my tips with the other waitresses. We always put out tips together and split them up, I had only agreed to do so because I always got more tips from horny men or women who thought I was pretty and rewarded me for my false beauty. I wasn’t oblivious to how the other waitresses felt about my tips and I would still have a hefty amount of spending money even with my tips divided. Not that I couldn’t make my own anyway.

    “Hey Laura. Laura. Laura come on.” Vanessa’s voice shook me out of my thoughts once more. I seemed to be getting lost in them quite a lot today. Earlier I had almost crossed a red light, it’s was a good thing that I stopped just in time. I’d hate to think about what would have happened to the poor driver that almost struck me down.

    Before I could once again get lost in my thoughts, I waved goodbye to my coworkers and followed Vanessa to the parking lot. When we got to Vanessa beatdown Volkswagen, I waited patiently for Vanessa to unlock the doors.

    “Ugh” Vanessa complained, “This stupid old car is always acting up. You know sometimes it wont even start!”. I smiled awkwardly before replying, “Can I try?”. Vanessa handed me her keys with a shrug and I let her out to do her thing.I felt pure happiness and bliss for a second as she made the rust on the lock turn into something else completely.

    I can’t tell you exactly who she is, I’m not even sure that she has a name. The only thing I know about her is that she’s deadly. For that reason, I only let her out as much as I have to in order to stay in control.

    “Got it”. I smiled at Vanessa before handing her back her keys. Vanessa hopped into the driver’s seat with a sly smile and I walked around to the passenger seat.

    Once again I felt as though someone was watching me and did a quick once over at my surroundings. I didn’t see anything but I knew better than to doubt my senses. I knew that she wouldn’t let anything  happen to us. 

    That was another strange thing, I knew someone was spying on me, but she didn’t seem on edge at all. I didn’t even feel her presence, and she always looking for a way to take control and push me to the back. Looking at Vanessa and her happiness to go clubbing with me was more justification as to why I never would.

    “So” Vanessa started, “I think I should know the secret to unlocking the door, mind sharing it?”. I smiled while looking out the window, “Well it wouldn’t be much of a secret if I told you”. Vanessa let out a laugh at this while glancing at me.

    “How much would you charge to be my personal door opener?”. I rolled my eyes, “You could never afford someone as talented as me on your salary”. There was a brief stunned silence. The silence wasn’t because Vanessa thought that I was rude, it was that I cracked a joke, something that I barely did. Even I was shocked. 

    Quickly recovering from her initial surprise, Vanessa retorted, “You think you’re worth more than minimum wage? I’m pretty sure I caught you sniffing through trash once or twice”. Deciding to crack another joke I said, “So now you know where your Christmas presents come from, kudos to you”.

    Vanessa acted hurt and dramatically put a hand over her heart. A fake look of hurt shone on her face, “Wow, I actually put effort into yours. I guess I’ll just have to return them to the salvation army”. Another smile made its way onto my face as we sat in silence for the rest of the ride to her place.