Page 106 of Shattered Dreams

Edith

My feet hurt from closing last night. I didn’t get much sleep, and my sister was late.

Again.

Evie always runs late.

You know that point in life where you look around and think, where did I go wrong? This was that moment for me.

Our regulars? They’re easy.

It’s the after-church crowd that killed me.

Ya’ll just got out of church and some of you still need Jesus.

Today was my day off, but the “baby” had something to do. So Ma roped me into covering part of her shift. Right now, my back ached. I felt greasy and wanted a shower, a cold beer and to sit on my ass.

And I would be doing that right now.

Ifmy sister wasn’t running late to work.

Again.

There was a woman in hot pink waving to get my attention. She’s the definition of a ‘Karen’. And she’s made my day suck worse.

“Yoo-hoo!” She waved again. “Excuse me, miss?”

Taking a deep breath, I walked over to their table. “Yes, ma’am?”

“This burger is underdone.” Her heavily made-up face looked like it was cracking with the sour face she made.

I looked down at the plate of food and noted the mostly eaten burger. “Which part was underdone?”

The woman’s pinched face turned frosty as she glared directly at me. “Are you blind? Right here.” She lifted the chunk of burger to my face.

Pressing my lips together so I wouldn’t snap, I inhaled slowly through my nose before I spoke. “Ma’am, I can get you a fresh one.”

“You know what?” She heaved a sigh, then snapped her fingers at me. “I want your manager.”

“Of course, ma’am.” I walked off to the back, rolling my eyes. “Ma, the lady at table five requests your presence.”

“For the love of Pete, Edith. Now what?” Mom looked up at me with flour all down her front.

“Mostly eaten burger she claims is underdone.”

Ma punched the dough she’s kneading. “Are you kidding me?”

“Two rabbis, Ma” I leaned on the clean prep table. “And where is Evie? Why did she need today off?”

“She’s singing some fancy schmancy song for the mob wedding and then she’ll be in.”

“Ma.” I tilted my head. “You can’t just say it’s a mob wedding.”

“Why can’t I?” She looked over at me as she folded the dough, turning it. “Everyone knows the D’Alia family are gangsters.”

“Ma!”

“Edith!”

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