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They were both almost finished and the end was in sight, I could practically taste the hot, greasy lunch I planned to enjoy at the diner, and then the bell sounded over the door. Another client. After a frustrated sigh, I pasted on a smile and shouted a welcome to the newcomer. “Be with you in a sec!”
“You get to make people look pretty all day?” Mariana’s voice was unexpected, and I turned to found her big brown eyes trained on me in wonder. She looked so small with her oversized purple backpack, which she tossed on a chair with a very grownup sigh. “Cool.”
“Mariana, what are you doing here?” I glanced at the clock with a frown. “Shouldn’t you be in school right now?”
She nodded, her expression going from wide-eyed wonder to annoyance. “I don’t like that school or the kids. Or the teachers. They’re weird and they stare too much, and I’m not going back.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at her stubborn insistence. “I’m sorry to tell you, but kids your age have to go to school or else your parents get in trouble with the law.”
“I’m just one kid,” she groaned and flung herself into a chair with the drama of a teenager.
“Maybe so, but the government won’t see it that way. How about you give the school and the kids a chance? Let them get to see what a cool little girl you are.”
Mariana shook her head vehemently. “Why do I need them as friends when I have you?”
“Because you’ll be spending a lot of time in that building and friends are useful to have in school. Makes the day go by faster.”
“I can work here.” She looked around the salon with confidence. “You need help?”
I shook my head and gave the nurses one final spritz before sending them on their way wearing wide, satisfied smiles. Then, I turned my attention back to Mariana. “I always need help but there are laws about employing underage people and you, my friend, are far too young to hold a job.”
“But I used to help Mama sweep up all the time. And wash counters.” I could hear the whine creep into her voice and I had to bite back a laugh at the feisty little girl. “I can do lots of big girl chores.”
“And I’ll be happy to let you, but after the school day is over.”
“Ugh, fine.” She grunted and rolled her eyes. “What do you do now that the customers are gone?”
“Usually I would clean but I’m tired and hungry, so grab your bag because we’re going to the diner.”
“We are? Can I get a cheeseburger with bacon? And chili?” Her eyes lit up with excitement the way only men and little kids did at the mention of food and she began to hop up and down, the first signs she showed of being an actual little girl rather than a sad girl with the weight of the world on her shoulders.
“Where would you put that much food?”
She giggled and pat her belly. “My tummy, of course. So, can I?”
“If you eat a salad or bowl of soup first, sure.” We got to the diner and found a booth overlooking the main street. “You know you can’t keep leaving school, don’t you? At some point they’ll call your daddy and he’ll be upset about it.”
She shrugged and let out a long-suffering sigh. “He won’t care. He doesn’t even want me around.”
“I’m sure that’s not true, Mari. Your father is just used to being good at everything and he’s probably not sure he knows how to be good at being a daddy.” At least I hoped that was it, and not that he really didn’t want to be a father to the little girl.
“Nobody’s good at everything.” She said the words as if she had heard them a million times, probably from the lips of her mother.
I laughed at her wise words. “If you listen to my sister, she’ll tell you that nothing teaches you that lesson like parenthood.”
“You have a sister?”
“Yep, she’s three years younger than me. Married with two kids and another on the way.” I still couldn’t believe Jessie May was having another kid, it was like the lovebirds couldn’t keep their hands, or other body parts, to themselves.
“I always wanted a kid sister, but I would even take a little brother. Mama said I was all the kid she needed but it would’ve been nice.” The sadness had returned and my heart ached for the little girl, which was the only explanation for why I let her order that giant burger she would never be able to finish.
We were half way through our food when Shannon called. “Hey Shannon, what’s up?”
“I need your help, well not me, Grant actually.” There was panic and worry in her voice and I sat up taller.
