“If I’m already working her shift for her when she comes in.”
Greta bursts out laughing. “Who says we’re hiring?”
“My mom told me you’re thinking about putting a help wanted sign in the front window.”
“Does she have any idea you want to work here?”
“Nope,” I say cheerfully.
“And you do realize you’ll have to work.”
I scowl. “I’ll earn my paycheck.”
“Do you even know anything about working in a floral shop?”
“No, but isn’t that the point of training?” I smile.
In the end, Greta does hire me. I work the cashier for a few weeks until we're so backed up on orders one day that I rush to the back and throw together a bouquet for a man who desperately needs to apologize to his wife for some reason. He loved the bouquet. Greta was impressed by it, and so was my mom. Ever since, I was allowed to make the arrangements to display in the front counter and the display for the storefront. That part I enjoyed immensely, mixing the flower types, coordinating colors, arranging them by size.
But the job itself would’ve been a drag if not for working with my mom.
Despite my prior experience, I doubt I’ll apply for a position as a florist. It’ll be too painful. Besides, I’m not about to call up Greta to ask for a referral. I left her high and dry. I haven’t talked to a single soul from my old life since before I ran away.
Not even my best friend knows where I am. I can’t risk contacting her. I can’t put it past my father to bug her without her knowing. Who knows what lies he’s spreading about me. I shudder to think what everyone might think.
What if they think he killed me too? Do they all think I'm dead?
It’s sad, but that might be for the best.
Katie Quake. My best friend. I always thought her last name was so cool. That's how we became friends, actually. I preferred her last name to mine, and she loved mine, so we used to swap them. It drove our teachers nuts back in grade school, but we didn't care.
She has blond hair, blue eyes. I'm dark-haired, almost black, with eyes the same shade. I'm taller than her by a good five inches, but she's five foot even, a short little thing. We're opposites in so many ways, but we would die for each other.
I wonder if she’s tried to contact me at all. Not that I brought my phone along with me. No electronics at all. I donotwant my father to have any way to track me down.
Then there's the rest of Katie and my crew. Three other girls who we picked up in high school. We were the prettiest, most popular girls at the place, and that's not bragging. It's the truth. We weren't mean girls, though, and we never abused our power. At least, I don't think we ever did.
At least I was single when I left. I dated my fair share of guys, but for the past few months, I have been flying solo. None of the guys at the high school caught my attention anymore. Katie used to tease me, said that I wanted a more sophisticated kind of guy. Basically, someone in college. It wasn't that. I think… I think a part of me always suspected I wouldn't always be for Sinking Springs, Texas. Already California weather is so much better. Texas can be so humid and muggy, but it's been in the sixties here every day, and it's pretty much perfect.
Well, perfect’s a strong word. My life will never be perfect. I realize that, but it can change, and it will change. I just know that once I have a job, life will be better. I’m sure of it. I have to be. I didn’t leave my old life for my new life to be just as shitty.