econd layer. For two months, I' d breathed in the smell of smok

s Smokehouse." She said it was a paid position, a great opportunity. I needed the money. My mom was strugglin

haul equipment for their food truck catering gigs. I worked sixty-hour weeks, fueled by

o Mr. Chadwick' s office to collect m

endly smile on his face. "Elyse, you've been a

arned a lot." I waited, expect

r phone. "We're so glad we could give you this

"About the payment, we neve

e experience was the payment. And all the free meals

g blank. "But... Gabrielle sa

fting from boredom to annoyance. "Oh, Elyse, don't be so obses

sper. "I worked for two months. I need

ed into his pocket, pulled out a crumpled hundred-dollar bil

voice cold. "Take the