Finding Herself(Surrender, Part 1)(6)

“If it’s so prestigious, why don’t they pay better?”

Emily tried to choke back her snort. “It leads to a full-time position after six months. They take you on as an intern to make sure you’re a good fit, and they give you the time to learn.”

“You know Denise’s daughter moved to New York five years ago and she got a job straight away.”

“This isn’t five years ago, Mom, the economy’s –”

“Yes, yes the economy, you keep bringing it up. But I really worry if you’re looking for the right jobs. Your father and I can’t keep supporting you forever…”

Emily bit her tongue to keep from saying something mean. It was very nice of her parents to pay her rent. Not everyone’s parents would do that. But she was sick of Laura’s hanging it over her head.

And she knew for a fact that the economy really wasn’t that great: Isabel had a degree from a great university and had only managed to get work as a secretary. “Lower your expectations,” she’d advised Emily when she’d first moved in. “I used to think that I’d be CEO of a large company someday, but now I’m just happy to have work that pays.”

Why couldn’t her mom just be happy for her? She was close to blowing her fuse, and she needed to hang up before she lost it.

“I have to go, Mom. I have a shift at the diner. And I’ll be working extra shifts till Monday,” she added, “So I won’t be able to call you before then.”

“Well.” Her mother sounded disappointed, and Emily felt guilty for having been so abrupt.

“I’ll call you Monday right after my first day, ok? Love you.”

Laura sighed. “Bye then.”

Emily changed, grabbed her bag and headed out in a fit of annoyance. Not only was her mother not supportive of her new internship, Laura managed to make her doubt her career trajectory. Why couldn’t her mother be happy for her and proud of her like most other mothers were?

Somehow, Emily found herself on 5th Avenue, wandering past the boutiques with their minimalistic window displays, wondering what clothes would go well with her new job. The only objection Nate had to her was that she might not fit in with the culture, and if she had the right outfit, maybe she’d at least look like she belonged.

A few minutes later, Emily purchased her first Prada suit. It was a gorgeous black one with subtle pinstripes, and it cost her more than $1500, which she put on her credit card. She tried not to wince when the cost was rung up, and she told herself it was worth it.

There wasn’t time to buy anything else, and when she entered the diner armed with her large Prada shopping bag, the other waitresses, Serena and Shirley whooped with laughter.

“Someone’s just discovered retail therapy,” Serena teased, and Emily laughed happily.

Serena and Shirley were the closest she’d come to making friends in New York. “I got a new job,” she told them happily. The girls stared at her wide-eyed. “Well, it’s not really a job,” she amended, “It’s an internship. Alpha Investments.”

“Omigod!” Shirley rushed forward to hug her, and Serena followed.

“I’m so happy for you! Congrats!”

“Thanks guys.” Emily laughed happily, a bit embarrassed by their obvious shows of affection. Now, why couldn’t her mother have reacted like that?

“So when’s your last day?” Shirley asked. “We’ll have to celebrate your leaving this dump!”

“Sunday,” Emily told them, “I’m doing double shifts until I start my new j- internship.”

“That’s wonderful,” Serena said, “At least we’ll get to see you a bit. Because after Monday, we’ll probably never see you again.”

“Don’t be silly!” Emily said, “Of course we’ll keep in touch – you guys are my friends.”

“Aww, that’s sweet – now I guess I better go see what table 7 wants.”

A couple of hours later, on her break, Emily checked her phone messages. Isabel had texted her thrice: Hey babe, wanna grab drinks? And then a while later: What’s up, r u free or not? And finally: Should I be worried? Where r u?

Emily smiled to herself. Isabel might act tough and have questionable taste in men, but she really did seem to care about Emily. At work, Emily texted back, Shift ends at eleven, drinks after that?

Within seconds she got her reply: Sure, I’ll stop by the diner.

Isabel stopped by a few minutes before eleven, just as they were cleaning up. Emily took a few minutes to tell Isabel her news, and Isabel smiled broadly. For a split-second, Emily thought she caught a glimpse of something strange in Isabel’s eyes – was it sorrow, jealousy or anger?