Page 58 of Waiting Game

Awkwardly, I pick up the sandwich and take a small bite. It settles like ashes in my mouth but I chew on it and swallow because she’s right—I haven’t eaten since the pizza Cole brought to my apartment.

The ‘no food thing’ is part anxiety, part trying to save money and not eat into our meager profits.

“Not really, Dionne.”

“Do I need to look for another job?”

The tentative question drowns me in guilt—she’s a single mom, already working three jobs to make ends meet. I always accommodate her schedule as best I can.

That’s partly why Jarvis is here.

Sure, I noticed him one day picking through our trash cans for food and that was my reason for hiring him, but he’s turned out to be great behind the bar.

Having the pair on staff is expensive but it means I can coach. Or cam girl. Whichever the case may be.

Wishing I could tell her something different, I promise, “I’m trying to do everything I can to make sure that won’t be necessary…”

Dionne perches her butt on the side of the desk and casts a shrewd glance at the piles of notepaper in front of me. “These letters aren’t helping?”

Bowing my head in shame, I whisper, “No.”

“It’s not your fault, Mia.”

“Of course it is.”

“Chuck was the worst businessman I’ve ever known. I don’t like to speak ill of the dead, but his tabs are longer than my eldest and we both know that he’s nearly seven feet tall.”

My nose crinkles. “I was helping run the place before he passed.”

“More like you were covering the bills that he was running up.” She tuts. “The last thing you need to be doing is taking the blame for any of this.” She pats my shoulder again. “Could you let me know if I need to look for work? I’d appreciate a heads-up.”

“You know I will.”

“Can you still cover wages?”

I can if I work nonstop at the cam girl stuff.

I rub my tired eyes. “Just. But… I won’t be able to be around the bar much.”

“The coaching?” At my nod, she sighs. “It’s a damn shame you’re having to support this place with other work. You sure you shouldn’t be selling it?”

“Selling what? No bar, no sales.”

“How about the memorabilia on the walls for a start? That’s gotta be worth something.”

I shake my head. “It’s all nostalgia. Chuck told me when I asked him to get it valued.”

She purses her lips as she gets to her feet. “I know Beanpole was worried?—”

“He doesn’t have to be. I’ll make this work.”

His granddaughter’s sick. How can I let him go when he’s helping his son pay her hospital bills?

As for Larry, he’s been with us since the Stone Age. He’s practically a part of the furniture. I can’t fire him either.

“You’re a kind person, Mia.” Dionne pats my shoulder. “I’ll let everyone know that you’ll be M.I.A for a while. We know what you’re doing to keep this place running and we appreciate it. Now, eat that sandwich, honey.”

With a soft smile, she fades from the room, leaving me with the mess of finances I’ve inherited.

---