I’ll be right back.”
I hurry off to the back door and smile when I see Lizzie in the back seat of the car, strapped into the old car seat my sitter had from her grandchild. “Thank you, Mrs. Fritz. I’m sorry you had to bring her to me.”
“Oh, no problem, child. I’m a step closer to that big BINGO coverall payout!”
“Well, I’ll let you go so you can get your spot,” I tell her, propping my daughter up on my hip as the car pulls away.
We step inside, and I set her down on her feet, Isaac staying back and out of the way. “Honey, Mommy’s not quite done with work yet. Would it be okay if you go upstairs with my friend Isaac and sit in his office?” My daughter’s big green eyes look up, taking in the tall man in front of her.
Isaac squats down and smiles. “Hi, Lizzie. I’m Isaac, your mom’s friend. I have some popcorn and fruit snacks upstairs. If you want, we can run up and have a snack while your mom finishes up. She’ll be up in just a few minutes.” Shocked, I look over at my boss, who just grins. “I picked up a few things, just in case she had to come in someday,” he replies with a shrug.
My eyes fill with tears. No one has ever been this understanding, this helpful before. I was fired from my grocery store job because Lizzie was sick, and I had to take three days off. “Thank you.” Turning to my daughter, I ask, “Will that be okay? Mommy will only be a few minutes.”
Lizzie turns those big eyes back to Isaac. He instantly smiles and says, “I have a princess coloring book and brand-new crayons too. Do you want to come color me a picture for my office?”
Suddenly, my daughter lets go of my hand and extends it to Isaac. “Okay,” she whispers.
He takes her offered hand, carefully leading her toward the stairs. “We’re going to go up here to my office, okay? And you can have some snacks and color while Mommy finishes up.”
“I’ll be right up, baby,” I tell her, watching as they go up the stairs together.
When they’re out of sight, I head back into the restaurant. Marla is running the credit card through the machine as the large party starts to head out the door. While she meets with the gentleman to have him sign the receipt, I start collecting what’s left of the dirty dishes and glasses. Manda hovers nearby, but never offers to help. I would turn her down anyway. This is my table, my tip, and I’ve worked hard for it. I want to finish it out.
“You did great,” Marla whispers when she joins me.
“Thanks.”
“Seriously, I’d work with you any day, honey,” Marla states loudly, handing me a fifty. “That’s your half.”
I stare down at that single bill as if it were about to share the secret to happiness. Combined with what I’ve received in the last week, I have enough for next month’s rent already. “Thank you,” I whisper, my throat suddenly dry, my heart trying to beat out of my chest with excitement.
A week’s worth of tips was able to cover my rent. That means I should be able to have enough for things around the apartment, like a bed and more towels, very soon. I slip the bill into my apron where the rest of today’s tips are stored and finish cleaning up. Fifteen minutes after the party left, my job is done, and I can run upstairs and grab my daughter. Hell, I think I’ll take Lizzie to McDonald’s for a Happy Meal to celebrate a successful day.
I quickly clock out, stop by my locker to grab my belongings, and head for the stairs with a smile on my face.
I can’t wait to see my daughter.
Chapter Nine
Walker
“I have to run to the kitchen to help Jasp,” Numbers says, as he comes out of his office and flies down the stairs. “Go hang out in my office, will you?” He doesn’t even give me time to respond, just disappears around the corner.
I was headed up to see if he’d put any more thought into Jameson’s idea. He presented it Monday at our meeting, and it was hard to get a read on Isaac. Jameson had some statistics ready and was able to answer most of Isaac’s questions, which, in my opinion, went a long way with the sales pitch. I shared my thoughts,