It broke Claire’s heart to think that something as simple as a few secondhand clothes and a cheap backpack had given Vanessa so much joy. That she’d been proud of the way she looked and excited that she had a measly granola bar and some overprocessed fruit to eat for a snack. Claire looked down at the Patek dangling from her wrist. She could buy Vanessa new clothes, get her some decent, healthy snacks, if she’d just fence the damned thing. But even considering the possibility of parting with it opened up a cavern in her chest.#p#分页标题#e#
You’re not her mother, Claire.
True, but shouldn’t someone have been?
Claire’s mood soured as she got ready for her shift. No doubt she’d be a ray of sunshine today. She hoped no one would give her too much crap. And though her bitterness wouldn’t do anything for her ability to provide decent customer service, it would do wonders for her tonight. She might not be ready to part with the watch, but some poor chump in the city was going to give her a helping hand. Whether he wanted to or not.
After a quick shower and an English muffin, she headed out the door. She stopped at unit 216, glaring at the door as though her focus might cause the wood to burst into flames. Claire brought her fist up to the door, ready to pound out her frustration on the planks. A string of angry insults sat at the tip of her tongue. A tirade that she’d been waiting to unleash on Carlene for months. Claire’s fist shook with barely restrained rage and a lump the size of a goose egg lodged itself in her throat.
What good would it do to give Carlene a piece of her mind? Would it change her behavior? Drive some sense into her? Would it snap her out of her addiction and transform her into a responsible parent?
Claire knew the answer. The only thing she’d accomplish by tearing into Carlene would be to hurt Vanessa. And that’s not what she wanted.
She took a steadying breath and headed down the hallway. Holding on to the anger of her past wasn’t doing her any good now. It had taken a lot of effort to move past that and she couldn’t let herself fall into old habits. Send positive energy out into the universe and the universe will inevitably send good things your way. She just had to remind herself of that.
Okay, universe. You can start sending those good things any time now.
She was more than ready for a good thing or two in her life.
CHAPTER
5
“Order up.”
Claire headed for the window to retrieve the two plates of burgers and fries and flashed Lance, the diner’s owner and sole cook, a smile. “Can I get a side salad when you get a second? Apparently, ‘It’s a salad kind of day.’”
Lance chuckled at Claire’s mocking tone. “I’ll get right on that.”
Waitressing was sort of like hustling in a lot of ways. It was all about managing people. Telling them what they wanted to hear, giving them her undivided attention, making them feel important and in charge. And steering them toward what she wanted from them. In this case, a good tip. Since Claire made all of about two dollars an hour from Lance, the rest of her weekly earnings were determined by tips. So it was vital to her well-being that she convinced every one of her customers to throw down their hard-earned dollars for her.
“Here are your burgers”—she set the plates down in front of the two men at table three—“and I’ll be right back with some ketchup and mustard. Can I get you guys anything else?”
She turned her attention to the shier-looking guy and winked. His cheeks flushed and he gave her a wide grin. “I think we’re good. Thanks.”
“Well, you guys be sure to holler if you need anything, okay?” Let the mark think he’s running the show.
“We will. Thanks.”
“I’ve got your salad!” Lance called from the kitchen.
As Claire crossed the diner and headed for the service window, the bell above the entrance chimed. She shot a quick look over to see a man walk in wearing black slacks and a black shirt with a thin white tab collar around the throat. Though she’d never been a particularly religious person, something about the priest’s demeanor rubbed her the wrong way. Maybe it was his jet-black hair and equally dark eyes. Coupled with the black of his clerical outfit, his appearance was overall more sinister and less the calm, comforting vibe you’d get from a member of the clergy.#p#分页标题#e#
“Hi!” Claire greeted him with a bright smile as she rounded the counter. “Go ahead and have a seat anywhere. I’ll be with you in a minute.”
The sensation of tiny insects traveling the highway of her spine set Claire’s internal warning sensors off. She watched from the corner of her eye as the priest took a seat on one of the high stools at the counter and rested his hands in front of him, his fingers woven together as though in prayer.