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Chapter 1
Iwatchedmylastcustomers leave and sighed with relief. It had been a long day, and my feet were killing me. I walked over to clear their table and saw that they didn’t leave a tip.
“Fuckers,” I muttered, shooting a glare at them through the window. I stacked the dirty dishes on my tray and headed back to the kitchen.
“I’m all done Greg,” I called as I set the dishes by the sink.
“Okay hun,” he called back, without looking up from the grill. “See you Friday.”
I yanked off my apron and shoved it in my backpack, then I pushed open the back door and stepped out into the small employees-only parking lot behind the building. I looked up at the sky and allowed myself a moment of self-pity before I started walking home.
It was just over a mile to my apartment, and the neighborhood got worse with every block. I said hi to the kids sitting on the steps in front of my building and walked in through the so-called security door that would never shut all the way.
I trudged up the four flights of stairs, skirting past the homeless guy sleeping on the second floor landing, and finally arrived at my door only to see pink paper taped to it. I yanked it down and crumpled it in my hand, not bothering to read it. I knew what it said. I was only two days late on my rent, but my landlord didn’t mess around. I went inside and closed the door, dropping my backpack and the crumpled paper on the floor.
“Shit,” I said aloud, leaning back against the door. “Shit.” My phone rang, and I bent down and pulled it out of my backpack, groaning when I saw it was my sister.Of course it was my sister. Who else would it be?
“Hi,” I said, knowing that she would just continue to call if I didn't answer.
“Hey Sarah,” she said in a tone that I recognized all too well. “I’m just calling to make sure you are still coming on Saturday.”
“Yes, I’m still coming.” Only because I couldn’t think of another excuse to put her off.
“Because you said that last time.”
“I’m coming, Allie.” For a moment there was nothing but silence on the other end of the line.
“I know this isn’t easy for you-” Allie started.
“I said I’m coming,” I said, cutting her off. “Look, I have to go. I’m playing tonight.” More silence on the other end.
“Okay,” she finally said. “I’ll see you Saturday.”
I hung up without saying goodbye. I hated that our relationship had become so strained, but I didn’t know how to change things.
I went into the kitchen, which was really just a small corner of my studio apartment, and made myself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I looked around my apartment as I ate.
There were two windows on the left wall, and the kitchen and a door leading to the bathroom on the right. My bed and a small, worn dresser were the only pieces of furniture. My bedside table was a cardboard box full of books with a lamp sitting on top. There wasn’t room for much else, which was fine, because I couldn’t afford any more furniture.
I changed my clothes, trading my waitress uniform for a red, knee-length sundress with short flutter sleeves. I went into the bathroom to put on some lip gloss and fix my hair. I took my ponytail out and arranged my hair so that it was half up, half falling down my back, then I stepped back and studied myself in the mirror.
My long straight hair was an in-between shade. Not quite blonde, not quite brown. I had hazel eyes, but they looked ordinary brown to me most days. Mom used to tell me there were green sparkles in them, but I never noticed them anymore. I stared at my reflection and thought that my one, small, exceptional feature was my eyelashes, which were so dark and thick that I never had to wear mascara. Not that anyone would be getting close enough to see my eyelashes. I shook my head at my reflection, flicked off the light, and walked out of the bathroom.
I knew I'd be cold in this dress when the sun went down, but I always got more tips when I dressed like this. I rolled up my jacket and stuffed it into my backpack before slipping my arms through the straps. Then I grabbed my violin case and headed out the door.
It was three blocks to the small park I performed in. It sat at the edge of a busy intersection in the heart of the entertainment district. Restaurants and bars lined the opposite side of the street. Crowds of people milled about, waiting for the night to begin. There was a large fountain at the edge of the park, where people always stopped to take photos. That's where I stood, almost every night, with my violin case open at my feet.
I hurried to my spot, knowing that if I arrived too late, another performer would already be there. It was prime real estate, after all. I took my violin out and left the case laying open on the ground in front of me. I took a five-dollar bill out of my backpack and tossed it into the case, then I started to play.
I played for three hours, smiling at people who left a tip. The crowd got rowdier as the night progressed, and it was almost ten when a group of drunk guys stopped to harass me a bit before stumbling on to their next stop. It was definitely time to pack it in.
I took my coat out of my backpack and slipped it on, feeling to make sure my mace was still in the pocket. Then I scooped the money out of my violin case and shoved it into my backpack. I put my right hand in my pocket and lightly grasped my mace. With my mace in one hand and violin case in the other, I began walking home.
Later, I sat on my bed and counted my money. $56. Not great, but better than nothing. At least I’d be able to buy groceries tomorrow. I couldn’t eat another peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
Chapter 2
ThenextmorningIjerked awake to a pounding on my door.
