Eden
The next morning, Ms. Kate told Eden to put on some clothes she gave her, and they set out for Lincoln Square, a hub of commercial activity that had helped the regentrification of Ravenswood.
They passed a trendy café and a cocktail bar that Ms. Kate said attracted hip, young people. There was a bakery, a couple of shops, and a popular bookstore that had become the anchor for the square.
“Let’s pretend you could work at any of these places,” Kate said. “Which would you choose?”
“I’d love to work at the bookstore. I bet they’d give me discounts on books.”
“I figured you’d say that,” Kate replied. “It would be right up your alley. But is it your best choice?”
“What do you mean?”
“You’ll get a salary. Maybe a ten-percent discount. But that’s all. If you work in a bar, you might get less salary, but you’d make it up in tips. You’d have to share those tips with the busboys, but if you’re good, you’ll end up with more money at the end of the week than you would in a bookstore. Maybe a lot more.”
Eden considered it. “You’re right. I didn’t think that through.”
“You’re pretty. People like attractive people waiting on them. Especially if they smile. She rose an eyebrow. “So, when you go in, make sure you smile a lot.”
“Wait. Aren’t you coming with me?”
“That ain’t my job, honey.”
“But what do I say?”
“Pretty much the truth. That you just moved here. You want a job to get started. You have experience, and you’ll take any shift to start. You should also add that you’re in the middle of a divorce.”
“Why?”
“Because there will be court dates and meetings you’ll need time off for. Believe me, it’s better they know up front. They’ll appreciate your candor.”
“I don’t know. I’m nervous.”
“You’ll do fine, honey.”
Forty-five minutes later, Eden met Ms. Kate outside Callahan’s Tavern. Eden’s jubilant smile stretched to the corners of her mouth. “My first shift starts at five PM today! I work till one.”