Gumbo.

7EVEN.

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"C'mon Madame Nubia you have to believe me!" I practically begged as she stood from her seat in her office looking unimpressed with my story even though I was being honest with her which was what I was advised to do by Dawn.

Be honest! She said it'd help your situation but look where being honest got me.

"A random stranger dying in the middle of your living room is a dog ate my homework worthy lie." She said. "The fact of the matter is I—no we really needed you the other day and you already had so many absences as is."

I followed her to the front of the restaurant as the small television in the corner went over the death that occurred weeks ago over the news.

"Turn that up!!!" I urged so she could hear for herself. "Look, Madame Nubia..."

"Girl, I don't have the time I have work to d—" she paused in between talking to watch.

We all did actually.

'This just in—a million dollar bail set for the suspect involved in the slaying of twenty seven year old, Baron Parson. Who died the night of July, 16. Inside of the River Lane apartment complex where I'm currently located. Witnesses close to the victim say Baron was always friendly and motivated that he had dreams of one day becoming a successful rapper.'

My skin crawled as flashbacks from the day played in my mind.

'A vigil is currently being held outside the building where he was fatally stabbed by his then girlfriend, Shayna Whatley.'

"That's enough!" Misha turned down the news station as I turned to Madame Nubia. "I'm so sick of the violence around here, I can't wait to get out of the hood!"

"You and me both!" Ines threw down the towel she carried onto a table before walking out.

"Where are you going?" Madame Nubia asked.

"Smoke break."

"So can I keep the job?" I asked Madame Nubia who still didn't look impressed even after all of that.

"Yes, but I want you on dish duties."

"Dish duties? C'mon Madame Nubia." I clasped my fingers together. "Everybody knows dishes are for the rookies."

"You want this job or not?" She asked me as I sighed so she continued. "It's only for a few weeks until I go over these new applications."

"Okay!" I mumbled as she looked me up and down before walking off.

I went out and had a smoke with Ines. "Since when you smoke, good girl?" She taunted before handing me a cigarette from the pack as she lit it for me.

"Since Nubia put me on dish duties!" I answered anyway before bringing the cigarette to my mouth for a long pull.

I wasn't new to smoking I had been doing it since I was fourteen and just recently kicked the habit but there I was again.

"Oh, hell, she got you doing the dishes, why?" Ines questioned and this was quickly becoming like an interview.

So I told her about the Baron and Shay situation and how he died in my living room.

"Out of all people, why me?" I thought out loud though I wasn't trying to be heartless it just bothered me to think I was a focal point in his life.

"Shit! Maybe he liked you."

"Stop playin'..."

"I'm serious though, Gina, when you gon get out here and see that you're a small fish in a big pond and stop revolving your world around one man?"

"I haven't even spoken about ole boy since I got here." I frowned at her choice of words as she laughed.

"That don't mean you ain't thinking about him."

"Whatever." I said after putting out my cigarette on the ground where many other smashed cigarettes laid used.

"Guess who just walked in?" Misha came into view as I stood not looking up to seeing him today.

I mean I was in a black hoodie with the hood on because my hair was a mess and gray sweats with socks and sandals. 

He hadn't crossed my mind once with all the commotion in my life.

I walked in and stole a glance at him as he sat in the front of the restaurant.

He looked good as usual.

I wasn't up to seeing him like I said though as I went to the kitchen to do dishes.

Getting gunk and other things on my hand as I dug through the dish water for the next plate, cup, pot, or bowl.

Why couldn't she just buy a dishwasher? I thought halfway through.

Each pan was worst than the next when I was finally done I was relieved to say the least as I got ready to leave.

When I stepped out he was gone obviously which wasn't a bad thing I didn't need him seeing me like this.

Dawn waited in her ride out back as soon as I stepped out. On our way to her place she was telling me about some guy she had met through a dating app that really sounded like a catfish. I didn't say anything and just let her talk.

"Help yourself to anything in the fridge!" She said on her way to her bedroom once we arrived.

I got my hands clean then went to the fridge. Deciding on a bowl of gumbo. When it hit my tongue my toes instantly curled up in my shoes.

I went in for a second scoop then another.

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A/N: Terrible... I know but anyway please check out the three chapters (6,7, and 8) that were updated today and thank you for your time.