Gasping For Air 2 (Last Chance Romance Series) Read Online Free PDF Page A

start putting some money away to pay for her divorce.
    Occasionally Lillian would feel a twinge of regret over how she had left Bob and her daughter, but she had taken all that she could take from them. She had left a letter explaining her intentions to divorce Bob and not to look for her as she was going to find a new life.
    Maybe she should have faced them with her intentions, but Lillian knew how it would be. Her daughter would be incensed and then accuse Lillian of needing therapy.
    Bob would yell and lie that he didn’t know that Lillian was so unhappy but he would go to couples therapy if that’s what she wanted. Then, as soon as Bob got drunk next time, he would hit her and the awful cycle would start over.
    No. Lillian had done the right thing. Less drama. Less confrontation. She knew they would never understand, as her husband and daughter were never wrong. Lillian’s great regret was that she and her daughter were estranged and that she might never see her grandson again, but that was the price she was willing to pay.
    For the first time in many years, Lillian was not lonely. She didn’t have any close friends, but people were friendly and helpful in the Keys. If she wanted company, she just went to the pool area and struck up a conversation with a woman her age. She met many wonderful people that way.
    And then there was Eva. Although they were not bosom buddies, Lillian hoped that their relationship would grow into a true friendship over time.
    Lillian was determined to plant roots in Key Largo and thrive as Eva had.

16
    L illian decided to drive to work as it was sprinkling and the weather report said heavy rain in the late evening. Parking in the employee section, Lillian ran into the back entrance of Aussie Jack’s.
    She called hello to the cooks and other waitresses who were ordering their meals before the restaurant opened for the evening trade.
    A few of the day waitresses were setting up for the evening patrons and waiting on the lunch crowd that still lingered over afternoon drinks in the lounge. They waved to Lillian as she hurried to the restroom to check her makeup and hair.
    Lillian waved back and cheerfully sang out hello to them. As soon as Lillian checked her face and hair, she helped the day waitresses finish their tasks, so they could leave before the big storm hit as many of them rode bicycles or walked to work like she usually did.
    Gratefully, some of the day waitresses tried to give Lillian part of their tips but Lillian refused. She just wanted to help them get home early before being drenched.
    Finally, Jack rang a bell and announced to the few remaining customers that he would be waiting on them for thirty minutes as the evening shift had to eat. It was one of the reasons Aussie Jack’s employees loved him. He made sure all his employees had enough to eat.
    Lillian hurried into the kitchen. After making a salad, she poured clam chowder into a bowl while asking one of the day cooks to make some French fries for her. She then took her food to a large table and sat with the other waitresses, busboys, floor managers, dishwashers, bartenders, and evening cooks. They good-naturedly gossiped with each other about the tourists, snowbirds, and some of the regulars.
    She listened to the waitresses describe whom they could tell would be a good tipper just by looking at them. Apparently anyone riding a motorcycle was a good tipper as were blue-collar working men. The worst tippers were those who had inherited their wealth. Those who had worked hard for their money and were now retired sometimes gave very big tips if the service was outstanding. It was not unusual for a waitress to make a hundred dollar tip or more with those guys.
    Lillian heard thunder and peered through the large plate glass windows that enclosed the back wall. Bolts of lightning lit the ocean from its blanket of darkness. In those brief seconds, Lillian could see the sea was choppy and that many yachts and fishing boats were