Page 96 of Collision
Contrary to my predictions, the bar is packed today because of the football game. All the tables are already occupied by fans who, between their conversations and laughter, create a general din. The only upside is that evenings like these are always big for tips.
“And this makes seventy, beautiful!” During a lull, I slam a wad of bills down on the wooden counter, each one of them earned with a strategic smile and a well-timed wink. Getting tips at the Marsy turned out to be easier than I expected, especially after I realized that the customers we serve are nothing more than brain-dead morons, who only need to see a flash of leg before they’re ready to give away their life’s savings. And then, with every dollar I earn, a little bit of that insecurity I’ve been carrying for as long as I can remember slips away from me.
“You’re unbelievable, Nessy, with those cat eyes and that sexy mouth, you always hustle ’em,” Maggie says, giving me a high five.
“Child’s play.” I try to make a haughty face and roll my eyes, but I burst out laughing instead. To be honest, the first few days I was like a plank of wood. Then Tiffany gave me some tips and, by God, they worked great. I fold the bills up and tuck them inside my bra.
“It’s the pigtails,” interjects our colleague Cassie in her usual vapid tones. “They give us that hint of innocence that contrasts with the sexy cheerleader uniform. And they literally lose their minds.” Cassie is thequintessential sexy girl, her slender yet curvaceous physique nets her double the tips the rest of us make. She is perfect for this job because, unlike Maggie and me, she gets off on the attention.
Halfway through the evening I’m clearing a table for some new customers when I hear a familiar voice calling out to me.
“Hey, Vanessa.” I turn around with my hands full of crumpled place mats and see Logan walking toward me at a brisk pace. He’s wearing khakis, a blue sweater, and a pair of two-tone loafers. His facial features are tense, though, and his rapid stride makes me think he’s worried.
“Hey! I’ll be right with you.” I place the wrappers in the dish tray, give the table a wipe down with a damp rag and seat the customers. Then I head for the bar, followed by Logan.
“What’s going on, are you okay?”
“I was just about to ask you that question,” he retorts worriedly.
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve been looking for you all afternoon. What happened to you?”
I let out a sarcastic laugh. Is he kidding me?
“What do you mean ‘I’ve been looking for you all afternoon’? I didn’t get a single call from you in the afternoon. In fact, I haven’t received any calls or texts from you all day. But you were busy packing, I understand.” I smile at him and grab everything I need to set up the tables in my section.
“No, wait a minute. I was busy packing until lunchtime, that’s true. But as soon as I finished, I called you. Three times. I even left you a voicemail, but you never responded.”
What is he talking about?
“Maybe you were calling the wrong girl,” I say sardonically, but he doesn’t seem to be in the mood for jokes.
“No, I’m pretty sure I called you.” He takes his phone from his pocket and shows me the calls and the message.
Yet, I didn’t receive anything. Maybe I didn’t have bars at the top of a tree?
I shrug apologetically. “I was probably in a spot with poor cellreception. I don’t know what else to think.” I leave him waiting at the bar while I go fetch an order.
“Why, where were you?” he asks me when I return to him.
I’m silent for a moment, considering what to say. If I tell him that I spent the whole day with Thomas, he might misunderstand, and that’s not what I want. But lying to him would be worse. “I took a nature hike. The rest of afternoon I spent sleeping.” It’s true, in a way.
“You had me worried. I was about to go over to your house to make sure everything was okay.” He smiles and touches my cheek.
“Bad move. You would have found my mother and left bitterly repentant.” We both laugh.
“Look, I can’t stay long, I have to get back to campus in less than an hour. My roommate is waiting for me, I promised him someCall of Dutybefore I leave. Can you take a little break?” he asks with a twinkle in his eye. I take a quick glance around the room and make sure the tables in my section are all served. Then I nod to Maggie, who is on the opposite side, and ask her if she can cover for me. She gives me the thumbs-up and looks at Logan approvingly. I smile and we walk outside. We decide to go to the parking lot behind the Marsy for more privacy. We stop at a more secluded corner, and I lean back against the wall of the building. Logan stands in front of me, entwining his hands with mine.
“Hi,” he whispers softly.
“Hi,” I repeat just as softly.
“I like these pigtails.” He takes one and plays with it a bit. “And this uniform. I’m not a jealous guy, but I have to admit that it really bothers me that everyone can see you dressed like this.” He examines me from head to toe.
“I hate these stupid braids, they make me feel ridiculous.”
“You say that because you don’t see yourself with my eyes. You’re so beautiful.”
