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“How’s Kevin doing by the way?” she asked. “With everything?”
“As well as he can, I guess.”
I’d met Crystal at culinary school in New York City and we’d been attached at the hip since. Even with the distance between us now, our friendship never drifted. She came from a rich family and she’d had a wild hair up her ass to become a chef after finding her own personal obsession with cooking shows. It came as no shock when she dropped out after the first year but what was unexpected was for me to do the same. My parents died in a car crash caused by a drunk driver, and it left me as the sole caretaker of my little brother Kevin. That night changed both our lives forever.
“Rose, come on,” Kevin groaned.
“Shut up, or you’re not eating,” I said.
“Sounds about right,” Crystal said. “Anyway, you have to come see me. I’m not taking no for an answer.”
“I don’t have anyone to watch Kevin,” I said.
“Get Cassie to watch him. She’s your roommate, right? Did I get that name right?”
“Yes, you did. And yes, she is. But she isn’t my personal babysitter so I can go party in the city.”
“Rose, you never do anything for yourself. Just once, allow yourself to let go. He’ll be fine with her. He likes her, right? She’s not a dick?”
“No, Crystal,” I said. “My roommate isn’t a dick.”
I spooned eggs onto Kevin’s plate before I dropped a piece of buttered toast in front of his face. I set the pan on the table and went to go grab him a glass, pouring some milk for both of us, Rose style. What’s Rose style you might ask? The good ol’ half milk, half water strategy I use most mornings. It was just one of the many ways I stretched a dollar in our budget tight home.
The cost of living in our small community in Poconos PA wasn’t high in comparison to the Big Apple, which was about a three and half hour drive away. However, one waitressing gig didn’t exactly scream discretionary income.
“Take the time off work and come. December is the best time to spend in the city!” Crystal said. “If I have to come get you, you’re staying longer.”
“Fine. Fine. I’ll come spend a weekend or something in your bad-ass Sex and the City penthouse.”
“Soon,” she said.
“Soon, I promise. I’ve missed you, too. Life’s just been a bit hectic.”
“We’re gonna get you away from it for a little bit,” she said. “And don’t worry about money. I’ve got it. Just get yourself here. I’ll even reimburse you for the ticket.”
“You don’t have to do that,” I said.
“Well, I am anyway. You work too hard for everyone else. You need a break. See you this weekend.”
“Wait, I didn’t say this—”
She hung up the phone before I could counter and I groaned. Of course, she would try to slip that last point in. She wanted me over this weekend and my mind was rushing in with excuses and reasons not to go. I looked over at Kevin, who was devouring his eggs, and I sighed in frustration. I missed my parents more than I could stand. I had to drop out of culinary school and take a job waitressing to support my younger brother and all I got in return was his sassiness. I understood it. He was hurting, just like I was. I didn’t ask anything in return. But man, I really needed a break.
So, I picked up the phone and called Cassie to ask her for a favor.
***
Two Days Later
I found myself looking out the window of the car Crystal had dumped me into. Looking out at all the hustling bodies was a far cry from Poconos, Pennsylvania. The last couple of years had really taken a toll on both my brother and me and I needed this time away. I knew Cassie would plan a lot of things for her and Kevin to do to help him decompress as well. I lost my parents when I was nineteen, but he was only eight.
My heart ached for him as I continued to look out the window of the car.
People were just going about their business. Some were shopping for Christmas gifts, while others were walking hand in hand with their lovers. Me? I was about to get yanked out of the car by my best friend and dragged into a very eclectic and unique shop so I could get an outfit for something called a Whips and Chains Masquerade.
Only in New York, I guessed.
Crystal was squealing and walking through the aisles while I stood there, fingering the fabrics of the very revealing dresses. Was she serious? Did she actually expect me to put myself into one of these and go out into public in it?
