Arms Wide Open: a Novella Read Online Free PDF Page A

a finger at me as he polishes off
drink number three, shaking his head again as he chugs. He drops the glass,
wipes his mouth with a thick hand, and snaps for number four. “You had me going
there for a minute, Amish girl. Is your name really Lauren or did you make that
up, too?”
    “That’s my real name.”
    “You a stand up comedienne or
something?”
    “No. I’m unemployed.”
    He sits forward and reaches into his
back pocket for his wallet. He flips it open, and I can see the high quality
black leather is jammed full with big bills. He pulls out a card. “I like you,”
he repeats as he hands it to me. It’s his business card, black and glossy on
heavy card stock. “You have a hard time finding work, you come see me. My
family owns the horse track and some stables. We like cute young things like
you to serve in the boxes during the races. High end clients who pay well use
those boxes. When they win big, they tip big.”
    Now I’m mad. “I have a master’s degree
in psychology and you think I’m dying to schlepp drinks for wankers like you
and your buddies?” I instantly regret my slip of the tongue. Rent is due in a
couple of weeks and I’ve been spending my valuable job hunting time leaving a
permanent butt imprint on the couch. He doesn’t seem bothered by what I just
said, though.
    He laughs at me instead.
    The bell rings as drink number four
arrives, and he takes it from the tray as he stands to go. He tosses a couple
of twenties on the table to thank the server for her trouble and shrugs. “It’s
honest work for honest pay. Shrinks don’t make much money, you know what I’m
sayin’? I’m serious—this is a standing offer. Give me a call if you need some
quick cash. You need rent money, I’ll work you. You want to go shopping for
some decent clothes, I’ll work you.” He leans forward to kiss me on both
cheeks. “Thanks for the laugh, sugar.”
    I look down at my clothes. I’m not sure
if being insulted should win out over being thankful for a gig that’ll pay rent
until I get a real job. I bury my face in my hands, shaking my head. Commence
headache now.

Ex Factor
     
    I watch mafia boy stride purposefully
away. He meets another friend in a corner. Their heads tip close so Johnny can
tell him something, and they both turn to look at me. Pretty sure I just won
freak show of the night award. I smile and do a little tap dance for their
benefit, finishing with raised arms and jazz hands. They laugh as I turn away.
    The front door jingles as an entering
couple jerks it open. They come to a surprised halt when they see the room jam
packed with minglers holding color coded cards in their hands like I do. Since
I’m closest to the door, plotting my escape by jumping through the front
window, the woman turns to me and says, “Excuse me, but do you know what’s
going on here? Why is it so crowded?”
    Our eyes meet, and recognition
registers. “Holy stinkin’... Erica, what are you doing here?”
    “Lauren!”
    We hug, acting much more like friends
than we ever did when we were in grad school. We had a few classes together and
did study groups occasionally. It’s not like we were besties or anything, but
the coffee shop is loud and noisy, and I feel overwhelmed when I stop to think
about what I’m doing. Seeing a familiar face feels like salvation.
    She nudges the man next to her, and he
turns. “Jeremy, look who it is!” Shock registers on his face, probably the same
moment utter confusion crosses mine. Erica just walked into my worst nightmare
with the guy I dumped a few weeks ago and haven’t seen since.
    I plaster a bright smile on my face and
reach out to hug him, too. “Jeremy, it’s great to see you. How have you been?”
    He’s looking a little awkward, and I can
see in my head how the whole thing panned out. I told him I needed space before
finals and she swooped in. She’s wanted him since I met her. Most of the girls
in my program did. We had five women for every guy, and