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Carter’s eyes go wide. “I—shit, Bailey. I don’t know what to say. What happened after that?” he asks tentatively.
“While I wriggled in pain, screaming from the blow, he grabbed my purse and ran off with all my money.” I gulp. “That morning, I went to my first NA meeting.” Tears well up in my eyes at the memory. “I came so close to being badly hurt that night . . . It was the push I needed to get help, and I’ve been sober ever since.”
Carter takes my hand in his and gently strokes it, lifting me out of the fog of my memory. He pulls me into a brotherly embrace that lets me know that I have a support system here in New York. “I can’t imagine how scared you must have been,” he says in my ear.
“I was, but I’d put myself in that position because of my addiction.”
“Nobody should ever put their hands on another person like that, especially a woman,” Carter sneers. “I would’ve killed him with my bare hands.”
“It was traumatic, but I have to tell you, I’ve been through worse. I lost a friend once. Watched her die. That should’ve been my wake-up call, but it wasn’t. It took my own life being in jeopardy to finally see the writing on the wall. Don’t let that be yours, Carter. You matter. This world needs you.”
“I want to get better. Will you help me one day?” Carter asks shyly.
I nod adamantly. My heart breaks for Carter, my new friend. No matter how difficult it is to remain sober, it’s so much harder to get clean. The battle he has before him is one that I wouldn’t wish on anyone.
The next night is here before I know it, and I’m finally starting to get in the groove of things.
As each hour passes, the club continues to get increasingly busier. I’m waiting at the bar for a rum and Coke when I see Carter reach under the cabinet and pull something from his bag. I don’t have to see it to know what it is. I’m disappointed for my friend. He can’t even go a few hours without a bump. I see Carter jump up and frantically start looking around for something or someone.
“What’s got you trippin’, Carter?” I wince at my use of words. Brilliant, Bailey.
“Boss man’s here. We better get to work.” He shuffles to put the contents of his fist back into the bag. I shake my head at his obviousness. Anyone paying attention would know he’s acting suspiciously paranoid.
“Carter,” I say. Leaning over the bar, I try to get closer to him so nobody will hear what I’m about to say.
His eyes meet mine, and I see the trepidation. He knows full well I’m onto him, and he’s right to fear me at this moment. After everything I’ve shared with him, I didn’t expect Carter to quit cold turkey, but I had hoped.
“I’m not judging you, Carter. Never. But as your friend, I’m going to make you try harder. I won’t allow you to self-sabotage. You need this job, and if Drew is here, your risky behavior is going to get you canned.”
His head lowers, and for a split second, I feel bad for scolding him. Then I remember all the times that I enabled people I considered friends and vice versa . . . and where did that leave any of us?
Nowhere.
The club is too busy right now to talk more about it, so I head back to the tables with the drinks in hand. It’s crazy how busy it’s been. I haven’t had a moment’s rest.
As much as I want to complain, the tips have been phenomenal. In one night, I’ve managed to make enough to catch up on my rent. Every single doubt I had about working here has vanished with the last two-hundred-dollar tip I received.
I might actually consider going back to school if this continues. The smile on my face doesn’t go unnoticed. Every coworker I pass looks at me as though I’ve lost my mind. A few smile back just as widely, probably excited about the tips too.
“Hey, Bailey. Can you help me with room two?” A waitress named Lauren calls out as she balances a tub full of dirty glasses. She seems frazzled, and that alone makes me want to make up some excuse, but around here, you get what you give, and I don’t want to burn any bridges in the event I ever need help. “I’ve just got to run these to the back and use the restroom. It’ll only be ten minutes.”
“Sure. Just refills or new orders?”
“Refills. Thank you, Bae. You’re the best,” she says, before practically running to the back.
“Welcome,” I say to her back, blowing out a loud breath.
I take two steps and stop. Drew is walking this way, and as dumb as it sounds, I want to retreat. His very presence sets me so on edge I’d rather run away with my tail tucked between my legs than get any closer. After last night, I’m not ready to see him. My reaction was embarrassing, especially since he doesn’t realize why I reacted the way I did.
