The Grey Tier Read Online Free PDF

day shift, but I knew that wouldn’t work either. Nick ran the day shift, and it was rare many patrons came in during the day. I knew Nick did not have the money to pay me more. I also knew I didn’t want to give up singing. It was all I had, besides Cass, and she counted on me.
    I put a blanket over the two of us and eventually slept, only to be woken by the early morning sun and the droning of a nearby lawn mower. Who mows their lawn at seven in the morning? It didn’t matter. I needed to move before the neighbors wondered about the beat up van with the homeless lady and her dog inside. Reality hit me then that we were living out of my van. Reality also hit that I needed a shower. I was determined today was the day I got a second job and found a new place for Cass and me.
    I washed up and put on some war paint inside a McDonald’s restroom after getting a couple of Egg McMuffins. I put an old U2 cassette into my tape player. I needed to upgrade my sound system to an iPod, but the tape player still worked. I sang all the lyrics to “Beautiful Day” at the top of my lungs, and Cass howled along with me.
    I had a full stomach, was sort of clean, and received an attitude adjustment from none other than Bono himself. I was ready to take on the day. Little did I know what was in store for me.
    At eleven o’ clock I received a phone call from Nordstrom. They needed a new MAC girl. For the record, MAC appears to be the best makeup in the world. Or maybe they just have the best marketing in the world. Because it seems everyone who is anyone wears MAC. I don’t, because I can’t afford it, but I thank my lucky stars Mama took such great pride in teaching me how to make up my face, hers, and everyone else’s in Brady. This job had my name written all over it. I was going to get it if it killed me. I almost got the VW up to sixty on the freeway. It was shaking.
    I walked in, trying to be as sophisticated as possible in my all-black ensemble, and do you know what? They hired me! That night I celebrated at Nick’s with a glass of cheap Merlot and a hamburger.
    Nick toasted me. “You’re on your way, kid! And speaking of, I know a producer, one of the best, coming in next week to hear you.”
    “Really? Who?”
    “Can’t say, but I can tell you he’s the man, and I told him you were terrific. He’s excited to meet you.”
    “Great,” I said, but wondered why Nick wouldn’t tell me who the guy was. Why all the mystery? But that was Nick. Sort of a mystery himself.
    Nick held up his beer and hollered, “Everyone . . .” Everyone consisted of Mumbles, Candace, and three other people I didn’t know, “. . . cheers to Evie! She got a new job today, and she’s going to be the next music sensation!”
    Mumbles stood up and mumbled, “Evie, good deal, girl!”
    “To Evie!” the others cheered.
    Maybe this was the City of Angels of after all.
    ***
    Cass and I offered to lock up that night, and although it felt sneaky, we slept in one of the booths inside the bar and I got ready for my first day of work the next morning in the bathroom. I knew Nick wouldn’t open until ten, so I had time to get ready and get out. The problem was, I had no idea what to do with Cass. I decided to leave her in the van, parked in a shady spot, and crack the windows. I’d check on her at lunch.
    So I started my new job at the Nordstrom on La Cienega at The Beverly Center. I liked it. I really did. But I was exhausted by the third day. Here I was, sleeping with my dog in a booth at Nick’s every night, closing the bar for him, and trying hard to get out of there in the mornings before he came in. I checked on Cass during my breaks and took her out for quick walks. I hated leaving her in the van all day. I was still trying to find a place, but my hours at MAC and then at Nick’s weren’t too conducive to apartment hunting. I thought about asking Nick if Cass could stay with him during the day. But I didn’t really want to impose, and then