a

ting the quietness of my room wrap arou

. "But I hate her with passion. Why is she even here? Why does she eat wit

ss for Mom. I'm the only recognizable daughter. No one knows h

gnition, admiration,it all belonged to me. And Skyle... well, she was just a sha

le

ody ached, and my stomach growled with

into a crop top that revealed my belly button, paired it with my jeans and sneakers, and a

happened yesterday, but every memory came

I needed to eat something before facing the

Clar

he said she'd be here by 7 a.m.," I mut

l her when I heard a knock at the door.

but trying to look put together. Without a word, we hugged each

food in the house," Skyle wh

id with a small smile. "Come, I m

ll of freshly cooked food made her eye

gs with toma

st with a dr

fruits, strawber

with a sprin

yle said softly, her v

or a few moments, letting the warmth of the ki

*

isten, I know things at home are... impossible right now. Bu

faintly, a mix of

attend to customers ,serve drinks, take orders, keep things organized. It's not glam

forward, list

ifts that work with your schedule. The manager is nice and understanding. And ho

an even take you there today. You'll see the place, meet t

ill held the weight of everything she had endured. "Tod

"No more waiting. Yo

go today," she said, her voice trembling slightly but carry

. "Good. You'll see, it won't be as

tled over Skyle. Today, she would take her first r

Skyl

rvously, but the morning sun warming my face gave me a tiny spark of courage. Clara wal

of fresh fries and coffee drifting through the open door. Customers sat at tables,

oftly. "You'll see, it's no

d the manager looked up from the counter. He was kind-eyed and had

friend Skyle,I told you about, S

f course. Come on in,

chen and work area. He expl

omers politely an

the drink stat

rules for the ta

or hot drinks and

a flutter of excitement. I c

n start today?" the

tely. "Yes. I...

shining in her eyes. "Se

nager's instructions in my head, and began to serve them. Each time I handed so

t ached,but I had done it. I had survived. And more import

h encouragement, I realized something,for the

's Ma

le?" Vivian a

replied, shrugging. "Ar

. "Has the house been cleaned?

k her he

lips ti

olling her eyes. She turned and called out

bowed and

lowered. "Ma'am... I've looked every

kened instantly.

ing?!" she barked, slamming her hand on

ed into a slow,