I got the job.
Just as Julio and I are walking in the door, I get a text from Aaron.
Aaron: My aunt said you can work tonight as a trial run. If it works out, the job is yours. Closing shift 3x a week.
Me: THANK YOU SOOOOOO MUCH!
“You look happy,” Julio says as we drop our bags beside the kitchen island. I grab two glasses from the cupboard and fill both with water before handing one to him. “Thanks.”
“I am happy. Aaron said I got the job. Finally, something good. Ya know?”
He nods but his brows are pinched together as he looks down at his glass. “I don’t want to rain on your parade, but are you sure this is a good idea?”
I stiffen. “Why wouldn’t it be?”
He runs a hand through his dark brown hair and lifts his gaze. “Allie, you’ve been through a lot.”
“I know that,” I snap, not liking the direction this conversation is going. Not two minutes ago I was elated. Now, he’s popping my balloon and for no reason.
“How are you going to handle being around everyone? The customers? The other staff? What if Aaron goes to give you a friendly goodbye hug again?”
I chew on my fingernail. “I’ll figure it out,” I tell him, determined to make this work. “I’m fine. I didn’t have any major breakdowns at school today. This will be good for me.”
He doesn’t look convinced, but he lets the subject drop. I check the time and notice I have forty minutes to get ready and be at the diner. “I need to get ready. Do you want to drop me off and you can keep the car in case you want to do anything?”
He shakes his head. “No. I have some independent study homework I need to catch up on. You okay to drive yourself?”
I nod. “I’ll be fine.”
He still doesn’t look convinced, but says nothing as I jog upstairs to change.
The Sun Valley Station is packed for a weeknight. Nearly every booth is filled and only two barstools remain empty at the front counter. I recognize a few students from school but, thankfully, I don’t spot the Devils. I don’t think I could deal with seeing Roman right now.
Aaron waves me over as soon as I walk in the door. “Hey, follow me.” He catches the attention of one of the servers and calls out an, “I’ll be right back.”
She nods and Aaron leads me through a set of swinging doors and down a private hallway to an office. He knocks twice on the door before opening it.
“Aunt Emma, this is Allie.” A middle-aged woman with ash-blond hair looks up from her desk. Her features are severe. Sharp nose, high cheekbones, and thin lips. A pair of reading glasses sit perched atop her head.
“You go to school with my nephew?” She leans back in her seat, setting aside the papers she’d been looking at to give me her full attention.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Ah, manners on this one,” she says to Aaron before turning back to me. “Do you have any work history?”
“I was a barista back in my hometown for a summer.” It’s not much but it’s something and it did teach me to work at a fast pace.
“Did Aaron fill you in on the particulars? This is a dishwashing job. It’s not glamorous. You won’t be waitressing and you won’t be earning tips. From time to time you might buss tables if the girls up front need the help but for the most part, you’ll be in the back. You good with that?” She gives me a scrutinizing once-over.
I hadn’t known what to wear so I put on a pair of black skinny jeans and a long-sleeved black t-shirt and paired it with white sneakers. I assumed black would be safest.
“Sounds good,’ I tell her.
“Okay, then. Aaron will get you an apron and show you to the back. If you keep up today, the job is yours. It’s minimum wage but you’ll get a dollar raise once you last six months. Schedule changes each week but you’ll be guaranteed three shifts.”
I nod. “Thank you.”
Aaron leads the way back through the hallway and into the kitchens. I’m greeted by two cooks, but both are elbow deep in work so they only offer me a wave and a smile. I stiffen when I realize it’ll be just the three of us back here, but my shoulders relax when Aaron leads me further into where the washing station is.
It sits away from the cooks in a small corner. “Servers and busboys will stack dishes here.” He points to a low counter already piled high with dirty plates and glasses. “And then when you’re done with them, you put them here. Silverware and glasses all get put inside the automatic runner so they’re sanitized but you’ll wash plates and bowls by hand.”
“Sounds easy enough.” I give him a smile. “I think I got it.”
“Okay, and if you get stuck or need help, I’ll be up front.” He places a hand on my shoulder and I instantly lock up. Panic rushes into me and Aaron doesn’t miss my reaction. His hand immediately lifts and he takes two steps back.
“What just happened?”
I open my mouth to answer but nothing comes out.
“Allie, you’re really pale.”
I wrap my arms around myself and look away. Julio was right. This was a horrible idea. What had I been thinking?
I worry my lower lip struggling to give Aaron an explanation for my behavior when he says, “Something happened to you while you were gone?”
I meet his concerned gaze knowing my own is glassy-eyed with unshed tears and nod.
“Fuck.” He rubs the back of his neck. “That’s why your friend stepped in when I went to hug you today?”
Another nod.
“Okay. Okay.” He paces in front of me as he takes this all in and I brace myself for whatever he has to say next. “I don’t need to know what happened. It’s none of my business. If you decide you want to tell me at some point, you can, okay? I’m here, for whatever you need.” My heart melts at his confession. I knew Aaron was a good guy. “But…” A shake of his head as he expels a harsh breath. “You don’t want to be touched. Is that it?”
I nod. “Yeah. Pretty much.”
“Is that why your friend is here in town? To help you out with whatever you’re dealing with?”
“Yeah.”
“I’ll help, too. Whatever you need. I know he can’t be with you twenty-four seven. When you’re here, I’ve got your back. Okay?”
A tear slips down my cheek and I swipe it away. “You’re a really great guy, Aaron. Thank you.”
