the suitcase zipping shut is like a moment of finality, making it clear to me that I’m really leaving tomorrow. This is it. Deanna and I had dinner at our parent’s house earlier. Tomorrow, the entire family will pack into the car to drive me to the airport. I sigh. It’s bittersweet. I’m excited about my new job, of course, but also nervous about leaving home. And I’m so nervous about the job to be honest, I’ve barely been able to eat. My favorite comfort, food, can’t even help me now.
I didn’t want to admit to Deanna how disappointed I was by David’s lack of response—my attempts to thank him. I’d feel better, more confident, knowing that he was going to be there in Vegas. I mean, obviously he’ll be there, it’s his home. But it seems he won’t be there for me. I’ll have to do this one on my own. And that’s totally okay, I remind myself. I’m twenty-five. It’s long overdue that I get out there on my own.
“You coming or what?” Deanna’s voice calls from the next room.
I smile. “Coming!” I lug my huge suitcase up and roll it out the bedroom door into the front hall. I leave it standing by the front door. My stuff is ready to go. And so am I. But first, I get one more night with my twin. My sister has returned to me after all these years, and our connection is stronger than ever. Even if David becomes a distant memory—a tiny part of my past—I will always remain grateful to him for that gift.
***
The next day, I’m sitting on an airplane, watching the cornfields of my home state, where I’ve lived for twenty-five years, fade away beneath me. My stomach is in knots. I managed not to cry when saying goodbye to my family, but only because Deanna kept making ridiculous jokes. I smile at the thought and giggle. In her own way, Deanna looks out for me too.
“Champagne, miss?” I look at the flight attendant, startled. Then I remember I’m in first class. The team at Casino Diamond insisted on flying me out in style. When I said that economy was fine, an HR rep assured me that it was just as much in the casino’s interests as my own. Keeping up appearances. My nerves are going haywire and I’d love to soothe them with booze but this wouldn’t be a smart move. I want to show up in Vegas fresh and alert.
“No, thank you. Could I have an orange juice instead?” My voice is uncertain and I immediately kick myself.
“Of course.” The woman smiles and immediately finds the juice.
I take it with a sigh. I’ll have to work on speaking authoritatively if I’m going to run an entire restaurant kitchen. Add that to the to do list. I sigh again as I think about all the things I want to get done to prepare for my first day at work. Might as well get to it now.
Over the course of the flight, I review the existing menu of Ruby Restaurant…for what seems like the hundredth time. I have to familiarize myself with every detail. I also start making a list of suggestions and notes on new dishes to incorporate. They have a great selection but it’s not holistic. The menu feels scattered and disorganized. I furrow my brow, looking at it. There needs to be a guiding, underlying thread. I start browsing through my book of compositions, marking those that would make good additions to a cohesive menu.
Once I’m done with that, I make a list of questions to ask. I’ll have to learn about everything from the local restaurant suppliers to how the casino does hiring—and, as Deanna helpfully pointed out, firing. I roll my eyes. Hopefully I won’t have to deal with that anytime soon. It reminds me of that episode of Friends where Monica hired Joey so she could fire him to make all her staff respect her more. I seriously hope I don’t end up in the same situation, and that there’s nice people there.
I’m so concentrated on my work—and still feeling slightly nauseous thanks to the butterflies in my stomach—that I even skip the inflight meal. The journey passes quickly and soon enough, I’m touching down in Las Vegas. The last time I was here, it was just to visit. But now it’s going to be my new home. And the inescapable fact is that it’s David’s home too. I