“I know, but why do I have to dress up like this? You wear sweatpants to work.”
“I change when I get there.”
“Into what?” I asked.
“I don’t know. Sometimes I choose. Sometimes the guys choose.”
“They choose?”
“Oh, yeah. I’ve worn everything from schoolgirl outfits to sexy lederhosen.”
I laughed nervously. “Lederhosen?”
“Don’t ask.”
“This won’t work,” I said. “I’m not good at this kind of thing. I should just start applying at fast food restaurants. Maybe I could be a waitress.”
“We’ve been over this,” Loren said. “This pays twice what you’d make waiting tables. And the tips—Mercedes, don’t be stupid.”
“I do need it. I had to disconnect my landline last week because the collection company kept calling. It was literally nonstop from 8 in the morning till 5 at night. As soon as one call ended, they called right back.”
“Is that even legal?”
“I think they could get away with it no matter what. They weren’t from here.”
“That’s just sick.”
“In the end, I got so mad I literally tore the phone out of the wall.”
“What happens if you don’t pay?”
“They’ll take me to court, I guess. Which means I’ll have to pay them back and shell out legal expenses. Like I can afford that.” I sighed. “I couldn’t care less about them. I’m more worried about my mother. You know she’s taking two shifts a day now? She barely has time to sleep, and my parents still aren’t making it, Loren. The insurance company is threatening to cut them off. They’re saying it could cost millions to pay for my father’s hospital bills.”
“I’m so sorry.” Loren rested a hand on my shoulder.
I pulled away. “There’s nothing I can do.”
“You can work.”
“Yeah.” I nodded my head and pushed my thoughts aside. I kept telling myself that what would happen, would happen, but that didn’t make it any easier. “You really think I’ll get the job? I’d hate to go down there dressed like this to get turned down.”
“Did you see the way that guy looked at you when you turned in your application?”
“That was disgusting,” I said.
“What did you expect? Church ladies?”
We both laughed. “Do me a favor,” I said.
“What?”’
“Keep me distracted.”
“Of course.” Loren sat down next to me. “I want a Bloody Mary.”
“With extra olives.”
“And tons of hot sauce.”