Cursed

3

At 4:30, Eadlyn, Hannah, and Mrs.Wilson come into the diner. Mrs.Wilson already has her uniform on. I just keep mine here so I don't have to bring it to school. I smile at her as the girls sit down at the counter and she refills a customers coffee.

Eady runs behind the counter and jumps into a hug. I lift her off the ground, spinning her in a hug. I keep holding her, even when I set her back on the ground. Rule number 1 that I've learned raising her: Never be the first one to let go in a hug, I never know how long she needs it.

She finally lets go and starts her homework. I made sure she always did great work in school. When she gets to secondary school, I want her to be in the highest classes. She won't turn out like me, I won't allow it. She's only in fourth grade now, but I still push her harder than I pushed myself.

It's 9:30 when my shift is finally over and I close up the diner, cleaning up a bit. By the time we're ready to leave it's nearly 10. I feel bad keeping her out this late, but it's better than her staying home with our father. I never leave her home alone anymore. Not after I came back from work one day a few years ago, and she was laying in a ball on my floor, covered in bruises.

I had to bring her to the hospital and tell them she fell down the concrete stairs at the park because if they knew it was Dad who did that, we'd be stuck into foster care so fast I wouldn't even be able to say goodbye to her. I doubt they'd let us stay together.

When I walk back into the diner after cleaning up in the back, Eady has her head on the counter, asleep. I smile softly and stick her books into her backpack. I fling it over my shoulder, and scoop her up in my arms, holding her against my chest. I put her arms around my neck and hold her legs as I walk out of the diner. I open the car door and place her gently in, snapping her seat belt. I go back into the diner, change back into my red sweater and jeans, and grab the key off the counter.

I shut off the power and make sure everything is tidy before walking out and locking up the door. As I click the door shut, I hear muffled cries from the alley behind the diner. I stick the key in my pocket and slowly walk around back. The voices get clearer as I get closer. I try not to make a sound.

"You didn't get us our money, now you will pay with your life," a deep voice calmly says.

"P-please. I'll get it! Just a few more days! Please!" Another man whimpers.

I feel my heart beat fast in my chest as I peer around the back. I hope I'm concealed by the shadows. Even if I'm not, the man is too preoccupied with the man in front of him to notice me.

I go wide eyed as the middle aged man pulls out a gun and clicks a bullet in the chamber. He aims it at the man on the floors head and fires. I let out a cry as a bloody body falls limp to the ground. The middle aged man's eyes snap up to me and I run back around to the front. What the hell just happened? What did I just witness?

I jump in my car and fumble with the keys as I make sure the man didn't follow me. As I start the car, I see a figure running from behind the diner with a cell phone in hand. I take off down the street and back towards home. Eady whimpers beside me. I didn't realize she had woken up, "Was that a gun shot?" She asked.

I put on a smile and stop driving so fast, "No baby. It was just some kids playing with firecrackers. Go back to sleep. You have school tomorrow."

She nods sleepily and when I see her eyes are closed, I drive fast again.

Shit. That's what I'm in. Some deep, deep shit.