Chapter 4
Shannon tried Livvy’s bedroom door and was annoyed to find it locked. She rapped on the door, twice. Livvy had been acting strangely during dinner. In fact, for the past few weeks her daughter had been quieter than usual. Shannon’s mama-mind went to a dark place, imagining all the possibilities.
Livvy opened the door and Shannon stepped inside.
“Liv? Honey? Who was on the phone? And what’s this about a new job? I thought you were making good money at BluePointe. Why would you want to leave?”
Livvy flopped backward onto the bed. “Let’s just say there are issues. Like today, two girls called in sick, and Mr. Godby didn’t cut me any slack, even though I was working my ass off. Anyway, one of my customers today was super impressed by how hard I was working. She’s shorthanded at her business, and she’s made me an amazing offer. Which I just accepted. I’m going over there tomorrow for an interview, but she’s already told me it’s just a formality.”
Shannon sat down on the bed beside her daughter and tucked a lock of Livvy’s still-damp hair behind her ear. Livvy’s natural color was a gorgeous shade of chestnut. She hated this new hair color; the obvious bleachy blond was just plain trashy in Shannon’s opinion, but she didn’t dare share that assessment.
“You’re quitting? Just like that? Without even a week’s notice?”
“I emailed Mr. Godby. Told him I’d pick up my last check when I turn in my uniform. It’s a done deal, Mom, so don’t even try to talk me out of it.”
“That’s a terrible thing to do to an employer, Olivia. Word gets around, you know. What if your new boss calls over to BluePointe to ask for a referral?”
“They won’t,” Olivia said, with a snotty attitude that Shannon didn’t at all care for.
Livvy had never given Shannon a moment of heartache, not even when all her high school friends were out getting tattooed and noses pierced and running wild in the streets—much the way Shannon had at Livvy’s age. She was a good, sensible girl.
“You’re so lucky to have a daughter like Livvy,” her nurse friends from the hospital would say. “My daughter never has a civil word to say to me,” her friend Angela said. (Which was true. Angie’s daughter Bree was a total brat.)
Maybe it was Livvy’s time of the month, Shannon rationalized.
Livvy read her mind. “And before you ask, no, I am not on my period. God! Can’t I just stand up for myself without you handing me a box of tampons?”
“I don’t understand,” Shannon said. “It’s irresponsible to quit a job this way, without even giving notice. And don’t forget, Angie was the one who put in a good word for you at that restaurant. If you up and quit, it’s gonna make her look bad.”
“I don’t care,” Livvy said, stony-faced. “My mind is made up. I’ve had a really sucky day, and now I’d really appreciate it if you’d butt out of my business. Just leave me alone, okay?”
“Young lady!” Shannon said sternly. “You’re living under my roof. As far as I’m concerned, your business is my business. Now please explain to me why you’re being so irrational about all this.”
“Irrational?” Livvy jumped up and began pacing around the room. She stopped in front of her mother.
“Okay, Mom. Here’s the deal. If my new boss asks, I’ll tell her my old boss gives me the worst shifts because he’s sleeping with one of the other waitresses on the side. And also, the grill guy keeps sending me dick pics. I think she’ll understand.”
“Whaaat?” Shannon shrieked, clutching her chest. “What did you just say?”
“Eddie, the grill cook, has been sexting me. He just texted me a picture of his dick. Or somebody’s dick. He’s a shrimpy little guy, probably doesn’t weigh a hundred pounds, so I doubt that’s actually his real package. Anyway, he grabs my ass every time we’re alone in the kitchen, or tries to shove his tongue down my throat. So no, I’m not going to keep working there, no matter what you say.”
“Livvy!” Shannon exclaimed. “Why didn’t you say something? Have you told Mr. Godby? That’s… criminal. We’ll report him to the police.”
“Mommm,” Livvy said. “Drop it. No way Godby is going to fire Eddie. Experienced cooks are too hard to find. Tomorrow, I’ve got an interview for this new gig, and I’m super excited. Can’t you be excited for me?”
“Where is this new gig?” Shannon asked. “What’s the job? And how do you know they’re actually going to hire you? Have you considered what happens if this supposed sure thing falls through? How will you pay your tuition? And your car payment?”
“I’m going to work at the Saint,” Livvy said. “It’s a done deal. I waited on Traci Eddings today, and she was super impressed… offered me a job on the spot.”
“The Saint?” Tiny black spots floated in front of Shannon’s eyes and her pulse was racing. She would put a stop to this here and now.
She grasped her daughter by the shoulders. “No. Absolutely not. You’re not going anywhere near that place, and you’re not going to work for that family. Ever. Do you hear me?”
Livvy shook her off. “What is wrong with you? Why is this such a big deal?”
“Never mind. I won’t let you do this, Livvy. There are plenty of other places you can work around here. Like the hospital. They’re always looking for aides, and the pay’s decent. If not there, you could work for your uncle. Decent hours, and…”
“You’re not listening!” Livvy shouted. “I don’t want to work at your shitty hospital, or any other place, and I’m definitely not working at Uncle Joe’s boring insurance office. You can’t stop me. I’m almost twenty-one. I can make my own decisions.”
“No,” Shannon insisted. “You don’t know those people. They’re rich and charming on the surface, but the reality is that they’re rotten. All of them. I absolutely forbid this.”
“Forbid?” Livvy laughed. “This isn’t the eighteenth century, Mom. You don’t get to forbid me to do stuff. What are you going to do? Put me in time-out?”
“Is this funny to you? Because it’s not funny to me. I’m dead serious, Liv. Do not do this. These people—”
“These people what?” Livvy challenged her. “I’ll tell you what. These people are going to pay me a lot more than I’m making now. And they’re giving me a free place to live, on site. As far as I’m concerned, it’s a done deal.”
Shannon’s breathing went shallow; her mouth was dry. “So you’re moving out too, just like that?”
“As soon as the new dorm is ready, I’m out of here,” Livvy told her.