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Chapter 7 ~ Saturday

*Back in Brokenfold*

It was a Saturday. Ana and Audrey had to be up and going early that morning. Saturday was usually the busiest day of the week. Cleaning and stocking the counters while Bill, Audrey's husband, got the ovens and grills ready, Ana and Audrey went about their usual routines while waiting for the arrival of early morning customers. The chime of the door bells sounded from the front entrance, as the morning's first customer appeared.

Jerilyn strode happily into the dinner, dressed in one of her many expensive dresses. The yellow fabric hugged her form perfectly, Ana thought, and her yellow and white, polka dotted, kitten heels complemented her outfit nicely. Smiling to herself, Jerilyn waltzed over to a nearby table and sat herself down gracefully before pulling out the menu.

Ana nodded at Audrey, letting her know that she would take care of Jerilyn's order. Walking over to Jerilyn's table, Ana tried to imagine herself in expensive dresses. She tried walking the way Jerilyn did, but the feminine sway just didn't happen naturally for Anastasia. Her sway was more of a stride, like that of a man. Anastasia was a tom boy. She had been closer to her dad growing up, and had taken on as many attributes of his as she possibly could. Of course, now, being a woman, she wished she would have paid more attention to the ways of her mom (or at least a few of them).

"Good morning, Jerilyn!" Ana welcomed as spritely as she could muster. "How are you doing this morning?"

Jerilyn turned to look up at Ana with the widest grin plastered across her face. "I am absolutely wonderful!" Jerilyn's face was nearly to a breaking point as she smiled even brighter. "You have NO IDEA how absolutely amazing last night was for me! By far the best night of my entire life! I feel like I am still walking on a cloud..."

Audrey had made her way over to Jerilyn's table and was standing up beside Ana listening to Jerilyn's story. "Really? Tell us all about it, Jerilyn!" She pleaded.

"Oh, you guys... It was just perfect! We were on the front row at Elvis' concert, and boy, was it amazing! You'll never believe what happened! He kissed me! Elvis. Presley. KISSED ME!"

Ana felt like slapping Jerilyn clear across the face as she gushed about Elvis. This was her dream. Not the rich girl from high school that got everything she ever wanted. Jerilyn went on and on and on about how perfect Elvis was; every last detail of his features, his smell, and the feel of his warm, perfect lips on hers. Ana drowned her out. She couldn't hear about how great everyone else's life was. It felt like a bullet to her heart. How can life be so amazing for some people and so utterly depressing for others? It just isn't fair. She thought.

"Ahh.. It was just absolutely wonderful! I am so very happy my husband can afford front row tickets," Jerilyn remarked after finishing her drawn out description of every single, last detail of Elvis there was to tell. "Ana, Audrey... You two have no idea what you're missing!"

"Oh, I think we do, Jerilyn. We just aren't as well-off as you and Jeremy are. Things like front row tickets to an Elvis concert don't come around very easily for us." Audrey replied.

The clanging of door bells sounded from the entrance, alerting the women of another morning customer's arrival.

"Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Houston!" Audrey greeted.

"Morning, ladies!"

"Well Jerilyn, I must get back to work. Enjoy your breakfast!" Audrey spoke as she made her way over to take the Houstons' order, leaving Ana to take care of Jerilyn's.

Ana gave Jerilyn a friendly smile. "Now Jerilyn, what can I get for you on your fine morning?"