Page 3 of Virginity Sold

Elena

An intense burning sensation shoots from my feet up my shin with each step. I rest my hands on my hips and groan, stretching the muscles in my back. Sinking into a bath full of hot water to ease some of the tension sounds like heaven right now.

But I can’t. No matter how much I want to.

It’s only three hours into my shift. How am I going to make it another seven? I think of the stack of bills waiting on my dresser, reminding myself why I’m doing this. Another sixty dollars and I’ll have my light bill paid. Come on, good tippers, I need you to come in today.

I make my way around the empty tables now that we have a lull and begin to clear the dirty dishes. We don’t have a busboy today, so we’re having to do it ourselves. At this point, I’m running around the diner like a chicken with my head cut off.

“Hey, Lena.” Jackie bumps my shoulder as she pops up next to me. I’m so lost in my thoughts, I about jump out of my skin.

“Sorry. Did you need something?” I turn to face her, blowing the stray hairs out of my face, only for them to fall right back where they were.

“Yeah, that guy’s back, and he’s sitting in your section. Someone has an admirer," she sings songs with a wink.

“Yeah, I’m sure he’s fallen for the poor waitress who doesn’t even have two pennies to rub together.” I roll my eyes as I pick up the pile of dirty plates and head to the kitchen. Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome can wait.

I place the plates in the soapy water, already dreading coming back to take care of them. Fuck, if Vince and Betty don’t hire someone soon, I’m going to scream.

“Get out there, girl, and make some money. I got the dishes.” Vince’s gruff voice fills the air, before falling into a coughing fit. When he gets closer, the smell of tobacco smoke wafts off him. Betty’s going to have a conniption if she finds out he’s smoking again.

“No, leave them, I’ll get them.”

“Pish posh, go handle your tables. Cal is on the grill, so I can handle it. I may be sixty, but I’m not an old man.” He gives me a toothy grin and my heart melts. He’s been so sweet to me, giving me a job when I was barely out of junior high when no one else would.

I pick up a dish towel and dry my hands before stepping away from the sink. As I pass by Vic, I stop and lean in, kissing him on his cheek before heading back out to take my customer's order. The mystery man never says much, but always sits in my section and leaves a decent tip.

Stepping out of the kitchen, I take a deep breath. I can do this. I put on a smile, a mask I’ve perfected, never letting anyone know the pure hell I’m in. As I walk by the counter, I pick up a menu and some silverware.

When I reach the table, he’s reading a paper. He’s truly handsome in an older man kind of way. He has salt and pepper hair and a muscular build. My mystery admirer, as Jackie calls him, has just a hint of a mustache and a five o’clock shadow, and he’s always dressed in a designer suit. I still haven’t figured out why he eats here so much.

“What can I get you started with today?” I ask, laying the menu and cutlery down in front of him.

“Hello, Elena, how are you today?” His voice is deep and intoxicating, causing my pussy to pulse.

“Umm, how do you know my name?” I take a step back as my heart races, fear building within me that this man, though nice looking, may have sinister intentions.

The corners of his lips turn up in a smile as he lets out a low chuckle. “Your name tag.”

As a breath of relief escapes me, my face and chest flush from embarrassment for thinking he could have any interest in me.

“I’ll have some coffee to start and a slice of your sweet potato pie.”

“Coming right up.” I spin on my heel and head behind the counter, taking a mug off of the stack and pour his coffee. He always takes his coffee black, but orders a different pie each time. Kind of bland if you ask me. Give me all the cream.

Jackie sidles up beside me. “So, did he ask you out?”

I whip my head to look at Jackie, my eyebrows lifted and my mouth slightly open, before quickly glancing around the room to see if anyone heard her. “No, and he isn’t interested. You should look into being a writer with these crazy ideas of romance that fill your head. Now, I need to get to work.”

Placing his cup on a tray, I pull a slice of pie from the dessert refrigerator and head back to the table, setting the items carefully in front of him.

“Anything else I can get you?” Just as the words slip across my lips, my phone vibrates in my pocket.

He shakes his head and I take my leave, stepping into the hallway to the bathroom and pulling out my phone. My mother's name flashes across the screen.

“What is it, Mama? Are you okay?” I ask as I hold it up to my ear.

“I need some money. I’m hungry, and there’s nothing in the fridge to eat,” she slurs. I know that’s a lie because I just went grocery shopping three days ago.

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