Ride Or Die

One - Evelyn

The smell of fried food wafts through the air. There is the constant sound of people talking with the occasional screech of a chair against the tile. Families and couples sit at tables, laughing. My heart aches as I look at them, wondering what went so wrong. After those abuse filled years, I decided that love wasn't for me. Since then, I've been stuck in poverty and I've been trying to get the treatment needed for my sister. Everyday is basically the same. I go to work, get tips and steal the occasional watch or bracelet, go home, start again. I barely get paid anything, so if it weren't for my  small crimes, we would starve.

Plates full of food are placed on the counter and I put them onto the tray. I am carrying it to the table when I collide with something. I feel the food leave my hands and I’m weightless for a moment. Then everything comes crashing down to the floor. The entire restaurant is silent and it feels as if everyone is holding their breath.

“What the fuck?!” The silence in the room is broken when the guy I ran into swears. Loudly. I open my eyes, prepared for the worst. What I see is worse. The plates are laying in broken pieces all over the floor. The food is everywhere too. And the guy that I ran into is standing there, his once-clean suit covered in spaghetti sauce, a single noodle plastered to his face. His eye is twitching in barely controlled anger. Someone’s child giggles as the noodle slowly slides down and off his face.
Shit.

* * *

My manager sighs. The sight of his toad-like face will never cease to make me want to vomit. He slowly turns to me, and I notice a large ketchup stain on his dirty white shirt. Disgusting.

“I expected better from you, Evelyn. After all I did for you, giving you money. I practically saved your life and this is how you repay me. It is very disappointing.” Disappointed my ass. You’ve been taking advantage of me for years and this is just another opportunity. “All actions come with consequences. So it is with regret that I must take away your pay for today to make up for the food and dishes that were lost.” I grit my teeth. I expected nothing less, but it is still infuriating. I needed that money to buy food. But I still have my tips. And the bracelet I stole from that woman.

“Of course, sir. I understand.” I turn to leave, trying to figure out how much that bracelet would sell for. It’s a fake, but you can only tell if you know what to look for.

“Oh, one more thing. I need your tips. I must pay that gentleman back for his shirt, and it is only fair if it comes from you, as you are the one who caused the damage.” I stop in my tracks and face him. His face is twisted into a grin, his eyes alight with malice. He knows how much I need this job. Which is why he treats me like this. I slowly walk over to him, reaching into my pocket. I slowly pull out the wad of dollar bills. He stretches out a pudgy hand, gesturing for me to give him the money. I force myself to put in his hand and not punch him in the face. Once he has my money, he smiles, greed lighting up his eyes.

“May I leave now, sir?” My voice is calm and controlled, unlike the rage I am feeling inside.

“See you tomorrow, Evelyn.” I turn and walk through the kitchen of the restaurant. There is grease and burnt food, along with dirty plates heaped in the sink. I hold my breath so I don't smell it until I get to the back of the restaurant.
I push open the rusted back door that employees use. It creaks open. There are about as many things wrong with this restaurant as there are with my life.

The money that he took would probably cost me and my sister a good dinner. The alleyways behind the restaurant are dirty and dark. And the only way to get where I need to go is to walk through them. I try to avoid this part of the city for obvious reasons, but the pawn shop happens to be near here. I am turning a corner when I collide with someone for the second time today. I start to fall, but they catch me. I look up  and my heart stops. Warm chocolate eyes, golden blond hair, a perfectly pressed suit. I shudder and wrench myself from his grip.

“Why are you here, William?” I take a step back, then another.

“Are you okay? I saw that incident with that man earlier. Why do you still work there?” I step back a little more, my mind running through every possible escape route.

“Do you need money? I can give it to you. You can have all the money you want if you just come back to me, little bird.”

“I don’t want your fucking money and I don’t want you in my fucking life. So leave.” His gaze strays to the scar on my cheek. I subconsciously touch it, feeling the raised, jagged mark. He reaches for me.

“I swear I didn't know I was wearing the ring. I’m sorry for everything I’ve done. Please come back.” His voice makes me nauseous. I put more distance between us.

“I’m never going back. Goodbye.” I turn and start walking away. Then I feel a hand snake around my waist. I shiver, the blood draining from my face. On instinct, I fling my elbow back and hear the satisfying crunch of it hitting his nose. As soon as he releases me, I take off running.