Page 48 of Whispers on the Water

As I turn off the water, I’m forced to admit to myself that I love Greg. It’s been true for months, but acknowledging it now, when any chance of us seems impossible, is a bitter pill to swallow. Falling for someone right before things blow up? Yep. That’s me. Sammy to the fullest. It’s like life has a cruel sense of humor and I’m always the goddamn punch line.

Dressed simply in black, I finish getting ready for my first night at the job, touching up my makeup to cover my tattoo. Once finished, I look at myself in the mirror. Fuck. Running was the right choice, but honestly? My problems are still here. Reinventing myself is refreshing, but everything doesn’t just compartmentalize because my address changed. Still, things will look up. I just need to find a rhythm and forget about the past. Long ago, I was forced to do the same, and what I found while running away was far better than what I had left. Greg, Tommy, and Tilly were in my past now.

***

Three weeks into working at this restaurant, I’m juggling a tray full of food for one of the larger tables. As I place a plate of overpriced tacos down and gather up the empty beer bottles, there’s a low buzz of comments about me from behind. I don’t catch much other than a few snide remarks about what they’d like to do to my ass. Ignoring them, I head back to the register. Isabella, one of our young hostesses, comes over with a frown, clearly as disgusted as I am.

“They’re pigs. You should add a surcharge to their bill for being assholes,” she tells me in Spanish.

Trying to keep the mood light, I flash her a weak smile and playfully ask in my best Spanish, “So, what’s the register code for the ‘annoying customer tax’?” She winks and points to the “Gratuity charge” option on the computer. “It’s supposed to be for large groups, but sometimes I tack it on if men are especially pervy.”

“Really?” I ask. A perv tax? Hell yes! I’m about to make a fortune in this place with its penchant for drunk tourists.

She’s printing a receipt as she chuckles. “No one’s ever challenged it. Probably too drunk.”

Grateful, I press the button to add the charge, feeling a tiny thrill of victory. Justice served! It really doesn’t take much to be a decent human, but these men apparently missed that life lesson. After I drop off the final bill to the table of pigs, I find Isabella. “Hey, can you cover my tables for a minute? I need to make a call.”

“No problem. You’re due for a break anyway.” Thanking her first, I then take off my apron and head outside, pulling out my new phone to call Tommy. There’s a new app that will hide my number from him, but I don’t know how reliable it is, so I tell myself I have to keep the call short.

“Hi Debbie,” he answers, and despite the chaos of my day, hearing his voice instantly makes me smile.

“Hi Tommy. How’s life?”

“Aw not bad, not bad. Just missin’ you. I’m glad you called. Greg—”

“If you say his name again, I’ll hang up.”

Tommy laughs. “Okay, but at least now I can tell him I tried.”

Maybe I’m not ready to hear about Greg, but there is another person I’m dying to talk about. It would still be too hard to call her directly, but I tighten my grip on my phone. “How’s Tilly?”

Tommy snorts. “No clue. She’s not talking to me. Did you ever figure out what I did wrong? I’m kinda dying over here.”

My shoulders slump on hearing Tommy admit he’s unhappy. The least I can do is give him a clue. “She said you turned her down.”

His reaction is immediate. “Wait, what?” Before I can repeat my answers, he scoffs. “That can’t be right. I’m pretty sure I’d remember… Wait, was I drunk?” An embarrassed half-laugh falls out of him.

“I really don’t know, Tommy. Look, I’ve only got a few minutes. If you do see her—”

“I won’t but I’ll try. Maybe if she knows it’s about you, she’ll let me speak for two minutes without running off. I miss you Deb,” he says softly. Hearing it from him does a weird thing to my stomach. The lunch I had of stale tacos and tap water threaten to reappear at the rush of emotions.

“I miss you too, Tommy. But I’m…” I close my eyes. “I’m safe here.”

“I know. I just, fuck, I guess its harder letting you go than I thought. You’ll call if you need anything?” I promise I will, and we both say our goodbyes. It’s a good thing the call was short because I can already feel my resolve melting away. If Tommy had asked me to come back, I don’t know if I would have been strong enough to resist. Deep down, that’s probably why I know it’s safe to check in with Tommy. He wouldn’t ask. Calling Tilly? I’m still not strong enough for that.

After we hang up, I steel myself for the next call, one I’ve been avoiding. It’s time to check on my sister and my nephew. I’ve been dreading this moment, scared of what I might find out. But it’s been far too long, and I know I need to talk to her, even if it’s to confirm my worst fears.

I dial the number, my grip on the phone tightening as it rings. “Hello?” Penny’s voice answers, weary and more tired than the last time we spoke.

“Good evening, I’m looking for Mrs. Bennet?” I say, trying to keep my voice steady.

Penny sighs, a sound heavy with exhaustion. “This is her.”

“Hi, Mrs. Bennet. I’m Georgia with Cox Communications. I was just calling today to make sure you’re happy with your current cable services.”

“I’m not happy.”

“No? Why is that Mrs. Bennet?” With my other hand, I press the phone harder against my ear, bracing for her response.

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