Chapter 6

• Ann, Maria, and Lee walked into the deli at four for their shift. They had Lee’s inheritance, but they only used it to pay for their tuition, so they went to school in the morning and worked in the afternoon and nights to pay for other expenses, something they had already grown accustomed to.
• Maria and Ann were in their second year of varsity in Strayer. Lee was glad she was going to graduate soon, she wanted to be with them, feel and look grown up like they did.
• Steve however, never understood why they insisted on working. He had tried on several occasions to make Lee withdraw a large amount of money and splurge it on a weekend in Vegas. She never budged, Ann and Maria also made sure of it.
• Trying to explain to him how important it was to save as much as they could was like trying to teach a cow how to milk itself.
• “I am so exhausted!” Lee whined, as she put her apron on.
• “We are all tired,” Ann said as Lee walked past her and picked up a tray. Maria was already clearing the tables, taking orders with a smile on her face. Ann followed, and went behind the counter.
• “And we have bills to pay,” Lee moaned as she dragged herself behind Ann.
• “Why don’t you tell your boyfriend that?” Ann spat the words out. It was evident that the mere thought of Steve was already annoying her. “I will pull rank if you don’t do something about him.”
• Lee rolled her eyes. “You aren’t my army officer, you are my eldest sister.”
• “Exactly. I only let him move in because it was what made you happy, and considering all you’ve been through, you really need some happiness in your life. But I will act like your eldest sister, worse yet, a parent if I have to.”
• Lee glared at her but didn’t say anything. Before she could turn to leave, Ann reached over the counter and pulled her back by the back collar of her shirt.
• “Ouch! Ann!”
• “I know you have attachment issues and you don’t want to lose anyone else. I also know you see him for the leech he is, and I know for sure you don’t love him. You are only seventeen. That kind of love still doesn’t exist in your dictionary. What I don’t know is why you won’t make him pull his weight?”
• When Lee didn’t say anything, she went on. “Lee, he isn’t going to stick around much longer. He wants one thing from you, money, and if you keep saying no to him he will leave. Him, you can afford to lose. Maria and I are not going anywhere. Anyway, he’s not your type.” The last part came out like it was a matter-of-fact.
• Lee placed her hand on her hip. Her face was relaxed now, she understood what Ann was talking about, but she wasn’t ready to admit it. “Oh yeah? Okay, so what is my type?”
• “A man dedicated to you and takes life seriously, not a hobo!”
• Lee gave her a cut look. Ann raised her hands in surrender.
• “I’ll lay off him if he gets a job and helps out.”
• Lee knew she was getting herself into a tight spot, but the possibility of peace was too alluring. “Promise?”
• “Scouts honor, in fact, you can give him the good news now.” A wide smile spread across her face as she stared past Lee.
• She turned around. Steve had just walked in. She should have guessed Ann was leading her into a black hole. She made the deal knowing he was close by. There was no way of getting out of this. He walked up to Lee and gave her a deep kiss. She could tell it was just for show, for Ann’s annoyance.
• “People come here to eat peacefully, not gag while doing so,” Ann said with so much distaste it stung.
• “Hallo, witch.” Steve gave her a cold look.
• “Bum.”
• “Honey, could you please loan me some money?” He had a wide smile on his face, something to help him convince Lee to say yes. It was all about the money.
• “Speaking of gold digging, Lee has something to tell you, digger. Lee?” Ann sang the words out. She placed her elbows on the counter and held her head up in her palms. She stared at the two of them, her lips pressed together in a smile. Her face showed how much pleasure she was getting watching Lee sweat.
• Ann was really pushing this. Lee didn’t have much of a choice, and she needed to make sure their attacks on each other stopped. She swallowed hard. She knew this would only end in a fight, but the possibility of peace and quiet, was a temptation she was willing to take a risk for. She stroked his arm and kept her head down, waiting for the volcano to blow.
• “Honey, how is the job hunting going?”
• He pulled away from her. Lee looked up, and waited. His face was creased, his temper slowly rising. She didn’t turn to look, but she was sure Ann had a big grin on her face.
• “What! So you are taking the witch’s side!”
• Lee exhaled before calmly she started to speak. “You’ll be able to help out with the bills, spend your own money on whatever you want. You’ll be able to stop asking me for money, especially when I’m broke. Also, you and Ann can finally stop fighting. I want to live with my boyfriend and sisters in peace. Please!”
• “They are not your sisters!” The outburst made the whole deli turn and look at them. She wanted to cover her face with her apron. She hated public spectacles.
• Steve was drawing more attention with his tantrums, cursing loudly as he moved toward the counter where Ann hadn’t moved from her position. She starred at him, not saying a word as he shot insults at her, her lips still pressed in a smile.
• Lee was getting tired of his childish behavior, especially his insistence on pointing out her adopted relationship with Ann and Maria.
• He turned back to Lee and stood very close to her. He towered over her, looking straight down at her, his eyes wide with fury. She could see the veins pop under his skin and his dreadlocks had let loose over his face making the glare seem even more murderous. His shoulders were stiff, his arms were held out at his sides, his chest moved up and down as he heaved.
• Lee crouched back, afraid he might hit her in public!