The New Life of Amaya

Chapter 1

  I lay on the soft grass under the canopy of trees dancing in the wind. Soft rays of sun light shining through the cracks of the leaves in the trees warmed the exposed skin on my arms and face. I brought the book down from above me and closed my eyes breathing in deeply as the sounds of rustling leaves and birds chirping filled the air. I was at complete peace right now and didn't want to tear away from the world inside the book I was reading. Everything always seemed better when I was able to immerse myself in a book far away from reality as if I'm the main character.

The world around me grew quiet, the birds began to sound more distant. I sighed rolling over in the grass and pushing myself up off the ground. As I stood up I grabbed the book tightly in my hand and hugged it to my chest. How I'd love to be just any normal girl with a normal loving family. I frowned as I grabbed my bag and headed back down the hill. Once down the hill I walked to my car door, unlocked it and got in through the driver door setting my things in the front seat next to me. After starting my car I pulled out of the car park and made my way to the interstate heading south toward a little diner located off of I-85 called Sweet Red's Diner. I pulled around back, slid my bag under my passenger seat, locked my wallet in the glove box and got out locking my car behind me before running in through the back door. 

Slipping my keys in my pocket I grabbed the little white apron hanging up on the peg with my name on it. I tied the apron around my waist and walked through the kitchen and the double doors meeting Amy behind the counter. I grabbed my time card and punched in for my shift smiling gently at Amy as she looked at me frustrated.

"You're late" She growled

"You're PMS-ing.." I retorted, "I'm also not late, I had five minutes to spare.

She sighed, "Fine, but don't let Red catch you coming 5 minutes before your shift. She'll flip!" 

I smiled at Amy patting her on the shoulder, "Don't worry about me, worry about the fact that Red looks like her hair his on fire.." I pointed at a plump, freckled face red-headed woman storming toward the diner from her smoke break. She was dressed in jeans, white T-shirt and a red plaid long sleeve shirt over the white shirt. 

"She's been looking for you..." Amy said in a whisper, "She's absolutely mad." 

"I know she may not have all the marbles, but she looks like she's going to pass out from all the steam building in her head.." I mumbled.

"Where have you been?" Red screeched as she bust through the diner doors. Those who were dining were used to her yelling and never bothered to take a second glance.  

"Actually, Red, I was five minutes early." I said holding up my time card showing I clocked in just over five minutes for my shift. 

Red huffed and I could visualize steam coming from her nose like an angry bull, "You're in the clear today. Get to work." Red bit out before heading to the back

"What did I ever do to her for her to hate me so much?" I asked Amy.

"You simply exist in her life... I don't know what else it could be. Maybe it's because you called the cops on her for mistreating someone a few months ago."

I sighed, "I'm surprised she didn't fire me."

"She'd rather make your life miserable than make it easier."

I nodded turning toward the window between us and the kitchen grabbing the plates of food then taking them to the tables. I sat the big order down at one of our regular tables as I read off what was being placed. As I read it off I handed it to the correct customer. It was a single mother with three young  children. One 2 another 3 and one 5. I don't know how this mama does it, but she certainly finds a way.