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“We need another bartender,” she says. “One of the guys gave his notice. His last day is next week, Friday. Why, you looking?” she asks.
“As a matter of fact, I am,” I say. “I just arrived in Des Moines and am looking for a job. I bartended while in Boston. Bartending is my thing,” I finish.
“Well, sweetie, Hank, our manager, should be here soon. When I see him, I’ll have him come over so you two can talk,” she says before shuffling down the bar to help someone.
When I finish my wings and fries, an older man sits next to me and says, “Hi, my name’s Hank. Stevie here tells me you’re looking for a bartending job.” He has a receding hairline with salt and pepper hair and a cleft chin that accentuates his oblong jawline.
“Hello,” I say. I grab the napkin and wipe my hands. “I’m sorry, my hands are a bit sticky right now, but it’s nice to meet you. I’m Lena,” I tell him, and with my knuckles, push my glasses up.
He and I chat for several minutes about where I’m from, my bartending experience, and how long I plan on being in town. He gets up to walk away, but before leaving, he asks me to fill out an application before I go, which is precisely what I do.
Back at the hotel room, I pull my phone from my pockabook to call Luci again. Let’s hope she answers her phone this time.
I dial *67 and her number, and she answers on the first ring. “Hello.”
“Hi, Luci.”
“Lena! Where are you? I’ve been friggin’ worried about you! Massimo is freaking the fuck out! And why are you calling me from a blocked number? What’s going on?” she spews.
“I’m okay. I’m calling from a blocked number because I don’t want Massimo coming for me, which is exactly what he’ll do if he finds out where I am,” I tell her while I’m pacing back and forth in the room.
“I don’t understand. Why did you leave?”
“I can’t tell you that right now, but it’s something I had to do. I promise I’m not in trouble or anything. I had to do this for Massimo.”
“For Massimo? What does that even mean, Lena? This is really fucked up! You know that, right?”
“Yeah, I know. I’d probably be having a meltdown if the tables were turned. Someday you’ll all understand. But for now, this is how it is.”
“When are you coming back?”
“I don’t know,” I whisper.
“You don’t know? So you left, and that’s it?”
“For now, yes.”
“Geez, Lena, you’re scaring me.”
“Please don’t be. I’m fine, I promise. I’m in another city, thousands of miles away. Just know that I love you. I’ll check in occasionally, okay?”
“It’s not like I have a choice. You’re making everyone’s decisions for them. How fucking gracious of you!”
“I’m sorry, Luci, but this is the best way. The less you know, the less you have to lie to Massimo. I gotta go. I love you,” I say and hit the End button before she can say anything else. I can practically hear her bitching me out.
I toss my phone across the bed and lie back onto the pillows. What a mess I’ve created. I hope it’s all worth it in the end.
I stand from the bed and peel my shirt off, tossing it on the floor, unbuckle my jeans, letting them drop, and finish pushing them off with my feet, one leg at a time. I walk to the shower and turn on the water, letting it warm up as I unfasten my bra and hang it on the doorknob. I reach down, pull my socks off, and remove my undies. I place my frames onto the vanity then extend my hand to gauge the water temp. When it’s hot enough, I slide the lever to run the shower. The last few days have been overwhelming, and that phone call with Luci was the culmination of it all.
I step into the shower and let the hot water burn my skin as I sink down and sit on my haunches. The water and my tears flow freely as one.
CHAPTER 10
Black
MASSIMO
A Few Days Later
