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Olivia Marie Diorio and I have been inseparable since high school, and though we’re on different paths—she’s a junior at UNR—we make time to catch up once a week.
“Hey,” I say, plopping into the chair across from her at the diner.
“You’re late,” she scolds, but there’s a smile on her round, beautiful face.
No two friends could be more opposite. I’m “white trash chic” without the chic. My stringy, dirty-blonde hair, thin frame from not eating well, and second-hand clothes scream social reject, while Olivia is the picture of health and vitality with her blue-black hair, glowing light brown skin, and voluptuous curves. She’s everyone’s type, whether you’re gay, straight, or anything in-between. My best friend is a full-on smoke show.
“I’m always late.” I hook my bag on the back of my chair and settle in.
“This is true, but I keep thinking that someday you’ll surprise me.”
“Don’t hold your breath.” I grin.
Picking up the menu on the table, I peruse my options. My eyes immediately jump to my usual choice of eggs, wheat toast, and black coffee. Cheap and relatively nutritious are my criteria when I eat out.
“What’s with you this morning?”
When I look up, her attention isn’t on the menu like mine was. It’s focused solely on me and has me shifting in my seat. I’m closer to Olivia than anyone else, but that doesn’t mean she knows all my secrets. No one does, and I plan on keeping it that way. However, she knows Ray’s a bad dude. That fact is hard to miss, and so are the bruises he leaves when forcing sex on me isn’t enough to satisfy his demons.
“What do you mean?”
“You seem antsy.” She rests her hand on mine, and her face falls. “Is it Ray?”
“No, he’s the same old prick as always.”
Olivia sighs. “You have to get out of that house.”
“I’m trying. I’m looking for a new job that’ll pay enough to get Mom and me to Henderson.”
“I don’t want you to leave Reno, but I understand.” She gives me a soft smile. “Find anything yet?”
“Not yet, but one of my regulars at the diner said his assistant is going on maternity leave and that I should apply for the temp position.”
“That’s great! Do you know what the pay is?”
I shake my head. “No, but it’s gotta be better than minimum wage plus the measly tips I’m earning now.”
“You should really think about college,” she says.
“I’m trying to make money, not go into debt.”
“You can get grants and scholarships. I know it’ll take time to earn a degree, but it’ll set you up for a higher-paying job.”
I don’t argue with her. There’s no point because Olivia can’t know what she hasn’t lived. She grew up in a two-parent household where her mom and dad both went to college, worked good jobs, and saved for Olivia to attend university. She doesn’t even keep a job while she’s in school. Her parents pay for everything. My reality is unfathomable for people like her.
“Yeah, maybe. I just need to save some money first.”
I’m grateful when this tired discussion is interrupted by the waiter approaching for our order.
“I’ll have a scrambled egg, a piece of wheat toast, and a cup of black coffee.” I turn over the coffee cup on the table, and he fills my cup while Olivia orders.
“And I’ll have the ham croissant and a mango smoothie.”
“Great. I’ll put that in now.” As he walks away, Olivia giggles.
“What are you laughing at?” I ask.
“When you said you needed to earn money, it made me think about how this girl I know is applying at a new brothel opening up in Sparks.”
