Page 1 of Until

PART ONE

Until Midnight

CHAPTER 1

Carina

"Miss Cameron. Miss Cameron.”

The voice saying my name is familiar but distant as if I’m dreaming.

"Carina Cameron. Wake up!” I force my eyes open and blink at the harsh lights in the hospital waiting room. Standing in front of me is a nurse with gray streaks through her dark brown hair. She’s dressed in blue scrubs with the name Annie on the ID badge she’s wearing around her neck. I sit up and rub the sleep from my eyes.

"I'm sorry to wake you, sweetie," she says. "But you wanted to know when your grandmother is out of surgery. She's in recovery right now. The surgery went well, but she’s still going to be groggy for another couple of hours. Why don’t you go home and get some rest? Have you eaten? You could go downstairs to the cafeteria and grab a bite."

I spring to my feet upon hearing the word cafeteria. It’s another word for restaurant, and that is where I’m supposed to be. I check my watch and sure enough, I’m late.

"Thank you so much for letting me know about my grandmother. I’ll be back later. I have to get to work."

Previously I had told my boss that I might be a little late for work because of the surgery. But I never expected to be almost an hour late. Antonio, the manager, has been very patient with all of my recent struggles and has even given me extra hours when I really needed them. He has helped me so much that I really don’t want to upset him.

With my jacket wrapped around me, I pull my long wavy blonde hair back into a ponytail and exit the hospital as quickly as possible. Living in New York City I’m used to taking the subway or just walking. Today is one of those days where I run. I need to get to work as soon as possible.

I’ve been working at John’s Bar and Grille since I graduated high school seven years ago. Everyone knows John’s. People sometimes travel just to say they’ve eaten there. It’s a good place to work because it’s always busy.

As I enter the restaurant’s back door, I grab a black apron off the hook and tie it around my waist. I peek out of the small window in the swing door that separates the kitchen from the dining room.

John’s is in a former theater, and some remnants of the old theater remain. The dining room has two levels with tables, with the second floor wrapping around the outside of the first. In the center is the original chandelier that hung during the theater’s heyday.

There aren’t many people seated yet, but that changes quickly in New York City. Luckily it’s still early, and the dinner rush hasn’t started yet. Dressed in the same black pants, white button-down shirt, and black apron I have on, my friend Odessa is taking care of the few tables that are ready to order.

She enters the kitchen, bumping the door open with her wide hip.

"Look who decided to finally show up," she says. Her caramel-colored hair is pulled back from her face. As she laughs, her almond-shaped eyes close, and her body shakes. “How’s Lydia? She had the second surgery today, right?”

“Yes, and she’s good,” I say, breathing a sigh of relief. “I didn’t get to talk with the doctor, but the nurse came out after surgery to let me know she’s in recovery.”

“There you are,” Antonio says as he enters the kitchen. “We need to talk.”

His voice sounds serious which worries me. It’s not like him.

"Listen, Antonio, just let me start by saying I'm sorry, I know I'm late. I know I said I might be a little late but this is much later than I expected."

"Please stop, Carina. We’ll talk about everything in my office."

As we enter his office he motions to the seat in front of his desk. In all the years I had worked there I had never been to his office before. And I could only remember two other people who had. Both got fired.

“Are you firing me? I know I was late, but?—”

“No buts, this isn’t about your lateness. I am sorry though, I do need to fire you. I hate that they’re making me do this.”

“Who is?”

“Corporate. The man who owns John’s.”

“You mean it’s not John?”

Antonio grins from ear to ear.

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