The Girl From Work
by Kelly Wood"When did you get back from the beach?" "Just did, it was a tough day." "A tough day? You sit on the boardwalk all day scribbling a picture or two. You want tough, go to work for me tonight. Plaster a smile on your face while you socialize with old ladies and young perverts." "Boo hoo. Can't lie though, something good did happen. I met a girl at the beach today, she's wicked hot and I sweet talked her into going out with me." "Let me get this straight, you had a tough day. Yet all you did was sit at the beach hitting on the ladies. I don't know what anyone sees in your starving artist act. So where are you taking this girl tonight?" "I'm taking Jen nowhere tonight, she has to work, but tomorrow is her day off and I imagine a sunset picnic on the Bluffs ought to seal the deal." "Well that's great, romantic and cheap, you enjoy. I got to start getting ready for work. " "Did you give anymore thought to talking to your crush at work?" "Why did I ever tell you that?" "Because you needed my expert advice, which still calls for the painful experience of talking. When was the last time you went out with someone? Prom?" "Funny buddy, I just happen to be very particular and am waiting for the right time to make my move." "Okay, just hope the right time hasn't passed like it did all the other times you never said anything. Sometimes you gotta take the initiative and show that you're interested. " "I don't have time for this; spare the lecture for later. Otherwise I'm definitely going to be late for work."
* * *
"I'm sorry Mrs. Heam that makes twenty, dealer wins." "Sweetie, its Ms. Heam. Why don't you deal again, the night's young and Lady Luck might still show up." "Whatever you say, I don't mind getting paid to take your money all night." "Honey, I don't gamble to make money. Mr. Heam, bless his soul, made sure his Helen was taken care of. So deal the cards." "No problem ma'am." "Hit me sugar, I'm feeling lucky. You won't be taking all my money tonight." "You're right, Ms. Heam, dealer busts." "Delightful, a hand in my favor. Would you mind holding my spot while I go to the bathroom? Also be a dear and order me a mimosa." "No problem ma'am. I'll be right here waiting for your return." "You've always been such a sweetheart to me." "It's really nothing ma'am, just doing my job." Another mimosa. What a way to spend your golden years, nights of gambling and drinks. Not like mine are spent any better: dealing cards and pining for the cocktail waitress. Not having the guts to say anything more than a geriatric's drink order and mindless small talk. Maybe George was right, I should just talk to her. This waiting is killing me and if something doesn't happen I'm gonna crack. I just wish I knew what to say to her, this is new territory. I've never had to say this to a girl before. "Excuse me Jennifer; I need another mimosa for Ms. Heam." "No problem, Sam." "Jennifer. " "Do you need something else?" "Um, no, I uh just wanted to know how your day was today." "It was super, you won't believe what happened to me. I went down to the beach today and met the nicest guy. He's an artist and he drew my picture, it was so sweet of him. He's taking me out tomorrow, I can't wait for it. It was so dreamy, he just started talking to me and it seemed like he's known me all his life, he even knew my nickname was Jen." "Good for you." "Thanks, I'm so happy. I'll get your mimosa."
"Well that lady sure seemed in a good mood." "Excuse me, Ms. Heam." "I said she looks good, if you'd ask me I'd say that she's found herself a man." "You're right." "Why do you look so glum Sam, having trouble in the old relationship game?" "I wish I was at least having problems." "Nobody out there for you?" "There is." "What's the matter? Let me guess someone else stealing your thunder?" "Something like that. Anyways your mimosa should be coming right up, are you ready for another hand?" "I am sweetie, and don't worry I'm sure you'll figure out what to do. The heart always finds a way." "Whatever you say, Ms. Heam. Whatever you say."
* * *
"Lovely day isn't it?" "Any day at the beach is a lovely day for me." "You must love your job, all the people you get to meet and being an artist must be so rewarding. ItŐs so beautiful out today, I wish I got out to the beach more often. When you get to be my age you forget how much things like the smell of salt in the air can totally rejuvenate your body." "Well then you now know what you should do. Come down to the beach more often, have a little fun getting out of the house." "Oh, I get out of the house. I've really taken a shine to playing blackjack at that new casino they opened out on the reservation." "Hey, my sister works at the casino; of course you probably have different opinions about it. People always seem to like places more if they don't have to work there." "If you don't mind me asking what does your sister do at the casino, sweetheart?" "Deals cards for some game, maybe blackjack. Here what do you think of this?" "Wow darling you captured me perfectly, though I can tell you took a couple ears off, there isn't even a single wrinkle. Not much of a realist are you, but I do look positively ravishing. It's great, how much do I owe you?" "Its twenty dollars and in my opinion I think it's you that makes the lady in the picture look old." "You're too much. Here you go cutie, enjoy the rest of your day."
* * *
"Getting ready for your big date tonight?" "Trying to, though I'm butchering this chicken, I should have paid more attention to dad at Thanksgiving." "There's a favor I need to ask of you." "I'm pretty busy right now, I don't want to be late. This is one of the first girls I've been interested in since I started crashing with you." "You know it actually can't wait. It has to do with tonight" "Listen if you're worried about me bringing her home don't. I'll be quiet if I do and you won't have to worry about some couch hanky panky, come on you're my sister I don't want you hearing my moves." "First off you're right I don't want to be hearing any of your moves, but that's not what I wanted to talk about. There's something I need to ask you, don't go out with Jennifer." "Why shouldn't I go out with Jen?" "I know her; I mean I work with her." "So you work with her, is it against the law to go on a date with someone who works at a casino? Why shouldn't I?" "It's just that..." "It's just what?" "There's a reason why I haven't had a boyfriend since high school and not because I couldn't find one. I like girls, particularly Jennifer." "What? Wait a second, you're gay? Samantha you're gay?" "That's why I moved out here. I wanted to get away from you, mom, and dad. I didn't know how to tell you." "Wow." "So what do you think?" "I don't know. Hold on, let me call Jen and cancel the date. I think we should talk about this."
* * *
"Why are you working tonight Jennifer, you don't normally come in on Saturdays." "I know Sally, one of the other waitresses for the tables called in sick today. I was going to go out with this really cool guy I met at the beach but he cancelled on me, something about his sister, or whatever. I think he's just a flake." "I was just at the beach today, what a small world. I met a nice young fellow. I should have gotten his number for you, he was a real cutie and an artist too." "I'm through with artists, they can't be trusted, always preoccupied with something else. Anyway what can I get you?" Just the same, by the way darling do you know if Sam is coming in today?" Can't say that I do, of course I don't really pay that much attention to Samantha's schedule. She's always seemed a little weird to me. Every time I come to her table I just get a weird vibe." I'm sure it's nothing, she's a lovely girl; you should try talking to her sometime she might open up to you. When my drink is ready bring it over to the poker table, I think its time I try something different."