Page 34 of Monster Diner

Lizzy’s stomach dropped. “Did he say what he wanted?”

“I think he said something about a check?”

Her final check from her job, likely her meager severance. As much as she wished she were above collecting it, she needed the money. She realized she was back to that same crossroads as in high school. Mom or Dad. College or the diner. Which did she choose?

“I’ll reach out to him,” Lizzy assured her mother.

“Don’t let him weasel his way back in,” her mother warned.

“Believe me, I won’t.”

They wrapped up their conversation after that, and Lizzy sat on the bed. She scrolled to Steven’s contact and unblocked his number. A series of texts came through in quick succession.

You can’t just leave like this.

What am I supposed to do? Rent is due.

They said they’re going to turn off the electricity.

Hey, I know I messed up. Can we at least talk about it?

I got a job lined up, I’ll cover the bills for this month. But will you please just answer me?

I’m sorry, ok? Is that what you want to hear?

A letter came from Answering America, I opened it. It’s your last paycheck. Can I meet you so I can give you the check? I’m afraid to mail it.

She shot a quick text back to him.

Meet me here.

She sent him a map link to Enchantresso and set her phone down on the bed, then put her head in her hands.

Her wallowing was interrupted by a knock at the door. She stood up and opened the door to find Victor.

“Everything alright?” he asked.

She nodded, arms crossed over her chest. “Yeah, I told my mom about Frank Jr.”

“Want to talk about it?”

“Not really.”

“Want to finish the movie?”

“I hate to do this, but I think I’m gonna go to bed. I’ve got a bit of a headache.” She braced herself for the arguments, the guilt trips. But none came.

“Let me get you some medicine.”

“No, it’s fine.” She waved, but he had disappeared into the bathroom and was pulling a pill bottle from the cabinet, then pouring her a glass of water.

She followed him, helpless, as he did it all, and she tried to protest, but he wouldn’t hear it.

He dropped a couple aspirin into her palm, handed her a glass of water, and watched her as she drank it down.

Her entire body tensed as he did so. He was trying to coerce her into something more. He’d taken care of her, and now he’d expect to be taken care of next. She just knew it.

“Thanks.” She turned to go back to the room.