Chapter 1

 

Tired, Jeanette Adams held her smile in place as the last customer of the evening took her time, as if Jeanette had all night, on deciding whether to purchase the red or blue blouse.

“Which one do you like?” the woman asked, holding them against her pale skin.

Jeanette honestly didn’t like either one. If she wasn’t drained from being up since five this morning, she would’ve suggested the woman put them both back and get the pink one. The red and blue made the customer look washed out.

“The red one,” Jeanette lied.

As she accepted the article of clothing, she felt terrible for misleading the elderly woman.

“But I think the pink one would go much better with your complexion.”

“You do?” the woman beamed. “I’m buying this to wear to my granddaughter’s birthday party. I’ll be back in a jiffy.”

Before the elder could hobble off with her cane, Jeanette gently touched her hand. The blouse was on the other side of the store. It was already five minutes after nine, if she didn’t assist the woman she’d be there another fifteen minutes or longer.

“I’ll get it for you.”

Jeanette glanced at the tag on the garment for its size. She took the other blouses with her as she rushed away.

“Thank you so much. That was kind of you,” the customer acknowledged as Jeanette returned to complete the transaction.

“You’re welcome. Your total is fifty dollars and eighty-nine cents.”

Jeanette wanted to cry when the woman set her large purse on the counter and started rooting through it. It took an eternity for the woman to find her wallet. As she accepted the credit card, Jeanette prayed it wouldn’t be declined. She breathed a sigh of relief when the transaction went through. She didn’t want a repeat from earlier when a costumer’s card was declined. The woman insisted that Jeanette run the card three times, which she did. Only to have the woman snatch the defunct card before yelling at Jeanette as if it was her fault the card was rejected.

“Please sign in the box, Mrs. Goldsmith.”

The elderly woman took another hundred years writing her signature. As she accepted the bag from Jeanette, she complimented, “You’re such a pretty girl. Do you have a boyfriend?”

Jeanette smiled, another lie rolling off her tongue. “Yes, ma’am. I have a boyfriend.”

 “What a shame. My grandson is a good Jewish boy. He’s an attorney.” She leaned in toward Jeanette, dropping her voice an octave. Her aged blue eyes sparkled as she whispered, “He likes black girls.”

Jeanette laughed. Even if she wanted to date, her life was too busy to give attention to another living soul.

“Have a good night, Mrs. Goldsmith, and get home safely.”

Mrs. Goldsmith patted Jeanette’s hand. “Thank you, dear.”

Before the customer could get five feet away, Jeanette covered her mouth as she let out a yawn. Quickly, she removed her drawer, taking speedy steps to the floor manager to cash her out.

Drawer totaled and every dollar accounted for, Jeanette hurried to her locker to get her things. She wrapped the heavy, black cardigan she wore tight around her body to protect her against the cool air as she made her way to the parking lot. Management’s policy stating employees had to park two lots over from the entrance to accommodate customers was a nuisance. Especially on a dark and chilly night.

Jeanette wished she had time to drop off the application, Kelly, a former coworker had suggested she fill out as she whizzed by the popular upscale restaurant.

“Girl, the tips are crazy. You could easily work two days and make more cash than the five days you’re working at Macy’s.”

Jeanette had taken the part-time job as a sales associate to supplement her income as an early childhood education teacher. The extra money also helped her great-aunt to pay for unexpected expenses. Something was always in need of repairing, like the hole Rocky the Squirrel chewed in the roof.

Jeanette would do anything for her auntie. Even if it meant working five, sometimes six evening shifts in a row to bring in the extra income. To be able to work less hours and make more money would be a dream, but she was too beat to drop off the application. She would have to get to it another day. At home waiting for her was a pile of laundry that should have been folded three days ago. She was starving, but too tired to cook. Another frozen supermarket dinner would have to do. It would be after eleven before she got into bed. If she was lucky, she’d fall asleep by midnight. Which she doubted because lately restless nights tormented Jeanette as she worried about the floundering family business.

She wrapped the cardigan tighter, her steps picking up pace as she crossed the lot. An old, beat up blue Honda Civic she bought at auction three months ago was her mode of transportation. The only reason she put out the cash she’d been saving to buy the hooptie was because her aunt worried about her taking public transportation at night.

As she dug inside her purse for her car keys, she noticed the luxury car parked behind hers looked out of place. Jeanette wanted to cover her ears as the Honda’s door creaked when she opened it. Throwing her purse on the passenger seat, she got in, cringing because the door was just as noisy when she slammed it shut. Ready for this day to be over, she started the engine and put the car in gear before letting out another exhausting yawn.

“Oh, God, I’m so tired.”

The sudden bang jolted her as the sound of metal grinding plunged her stomach into sickening sensation.

“Oh! My! God!” Jeanette shrieked as the Honda rammed into the black, shiny BMW sedan. Slamming on the brakes, she jerked forward. Her hands were shaking as she put the car in drive, moving up a few feet. Nerves getting the best of her, she slammed on the brakes again as she put the car in park before jumping out the vehicle.

Jeanette kneeled to inspect the damage she’d done to the other car’s front bumper. It didn’t look too bad. Just a few scratches and a small dent, nothing too major. The impact sounded worse than the actual damage.

She stood and looked around the dimly-lit parking lot. She glanced at her watch. It was 9:45 p.m. and no one was in sight. The car’s owner was most likely enjoying dinner and drinks. A feeling of guilt ran through her as she wrapped her cardigan tighter knowing she had ruined someone’s night. No way did she want to be around to witness the owner’s reaction.

She went to the passenger side, at least that door didn’t squeak adding to faint throbbing in her right temple the beginning signs of a stress headache. Her hand fumbled as she reached inside the glove compartment retrieving a small notepad and pen. Leaning against the car, she scribbled a note with her information.

Jeanette let out a deep sigh as she placed the note under the windshield wiper.

“This is going to make my insurance premium go up!” she yelled in frustration, grateful no one was around to hear her outburst.

This little mishap would be one more thing to add to the list of problems keeping her awake at nights.