“Claire, it’s tomorrow you know right?” her step brother said to her as she came out of her room dressed up for work
“What’s tomorrow?” Claire asked him
“The outing. We’re going to the beach side.” he said excitedly
“The beach side… I doubt she knows what happens there dummy.”Deanna said as she walked away frowning at him.
“Thank you Deanna, great way to start the morning. Ignore her Claire, she’s just grumpy.” he said.
It hurt Claire really that the girl had always been picking on her ever since she set foot in that house but nevertheless, she would not mind. She sighed and then told Andrew she would definitely think about it. He reminded her that she promised and besides, it was time she had a taste of the Norman fun. Of course, fun was something everyone could see she lacked. Claire walked away and bid Martha goodbye. She was about opening the door when someone stopped her.
“Claire? Where are you bounding off to this morning?” Lucille said suddenly appearing at the staircase beginning with a scowl on her face.
“Um… I have to get to work.” Claire said
“Work, on a Saturday. Practically everyday now, Sunday’s included?” the woman asked
“No ma. Sundays is when I get my day off.”Claire said beginning to feel a tad bit uncomfortable
“So technically speaking, all through the week you would keep doing nothing to assist in the house right?” the woman continued as she came down fully
“I don’t understand,” Claire said
“Of course you wouldn’t, even your mother could not understand you.” Lucille said again and Deanna blurted out a laugh.
This one sunk rather too deep that Claire was obviously more than pained. She could take anything from anyone but certainly not this kind of degradation. Now she moved away from the door and looked at her step mother.
“My mother understands me.” Claire said
“Oh does she now?” her stepmother was quick to answer as she started for the kitchen area.
Claire could not believe this. Well, it was all her fault and she could now understand why her father wanted her living elsewhere where there’s lesser hell. He obviously knew the kind of woman he was married to and was trying to save her from this particular scenario but Claire being herself was wanting for daddy’s love. It hurt now really but something baffled her which was how on earth her father had eventually ended up with such a woman.
“But ma’am, there’s nothing really for Claire to do since I got it covered.” Martha said trying to defend Claire.
“Keep off it Martha. She’s a woman and should contribute to the chores in the family that is housing her before jumping off to work. That being if she actually goes to work.” the spiteful woman said.
Now this was way overboard. She had woken up that morning in hopes to get to work early and now she had to deal with all this drama. She knew there was no point arguing with the woman who seems to have it all figured out. The least she could do would be to walk away and save herself shame and embarrassment. Claire took in and deep breath and sighed.
“Good bye mother.” she said and walked away. As she moved on outside, she actually heard her stepsister giggling behind her and her stepmother ranting. It was like they had it all figured out from the onset. Claire did not know what else she wanted from her. She cleans her room always and sometimes if opportune would help Martha out. The woman just wanted to make out a grumpy old hag out of her and she certainly was not going to allow that. It was work for her straight out.
As she walked down the street, she came across Jake’s home. His car was parked there and she certainly was tempted to go check on him and his mother. But Claire chose not to. The memory of what his mother expected of her was written there boldly in block letters before her. She understood that going there always would mean she was setting the woman’s hopes really high and that was no good at all. Slickly, she walked on by without stopping. She felt really bad doing what she did as she wanted to see her favourite persons in the world. Claire got to the bus stop and sat down calmly waiting for a cab to pass by. She waited just a little bit and then found one. She started out on her way to work watching around idly.
She had gone a while when her phone rang, it was Tristan. Was he already bored of his doctor friend already and suddenly remember she exists, Claire wondered as she shrugged and took her call. Tristan was not bored with his woman apparently and Claire sadly felt really hurt. In fact, he had called her to ask her not to come over at the moment as he had a guest. Claire told him it was okay and when he asked if she set out already, she lied. She told him she was yet to take a cab which brought a weird look from the driver in the rear view mirror. What did he know, Claire ignored his look. Tristan told her it was all good then as he would have had Alfredo take her home. Claire finished her call and exhaled out loud as she reclined on her seat. The driver had gotten to the traffic intersection.
“Um miss, sorry I must ask, where are we going now?” the sensitive driver asked her.
No way was she going back home especially not today that was weekend. She would also not go to Jake’s which left out one more place for her to visit.
“Take me to Tristan’s.” she said
“The restaurant?” the man asked
“Yes please.” Claire said.
He turned into the road leading to the place. It had been a while since she last was at the lovely place and she had missed everything. Including the thrill and most especially her friend, Danielle. She sat down calmly until they arrived.
“Take it easy ma’am. Your boyfriend might just be a little busy today.” the driver said
“He’s not my boyfriend.” Claire shot back at him
“That’s what they always say.” the man said as he drove away.
Could he just mind his business. First it was him eavesdropping on her phone call. Although technically she was not sure she could call that eavesdropping seeing that they were in the same car and she was incredibly loud with her white lie that was intended not to cause harm to anyone and definitely not to get anyone poking into her business. She glared after the car and then turned to face the restaurant. It dawned on her seeing the place that she would soon be in want for money. Probably when Tristan would have time for his lowly staff, she might ask him for an upfront. Claire sighed, she sort of missed her stepfather whom she had been cruel to. She should have been nicer to the man and perhaps, she would have saved a whole lot. Now, she was dry and empty. Good riddance for her, karma had to come say hello on his behalf really fast. She simply began making for the restaurant and had never seen a more excited Danielle.
The girl welcomed her with a hug and so did the others. Finally, she got people that actually missed her when she was away and not the one who already made arrangements with his doctor friend to get away from her. She told them the boss had given her the day off and so, she had decided to come stay with them at work for a bit. They were super excited and she was assigned something to do instantly. She would accompany Danielle with serving meals. Claire smiled nervously. She had never done something so upfront in her entire boring life but they insisted that there was always a first time for everything. She decided to give it a try. She changed into the approved uniform and her apron and started off her fun day.
At first, Claire was really nervous and would hold a dead grip on the tray walking steadily. Anyone would know she was a novice but with time, Claire balanced up to an appreciative status. It was fun while it lasted and Danielle was doing shifts now with someone else. Things really had changed as accordingly, Tristan had mapped out a new and better way of doing things to keep the staff happier. He divided them up into shifts and a rotational circle had been adopted. Claire wished she was still working there, at least she would not feel so sad.
After work, Danielle informed her that they would be going out to catch a little fun in the place.
“But I don’t have any money.” Claire said to her
“Bills on me.” Danielle said.
There was a little party, Danielle had said and she wanted Claire to join her. First they went to her place to get all dolled up for the meet. Danielle took her time to make Claire look outstanding. The girl also found her the perfect cloth to put on. Claire had been transformed instantly and she felt in a way that she could pass for a celebrity. She reminded her friend for the upteenth time that she needed to be home back in time before her stepmother kills her. Danielle reassured her they would be staying for barely two hours as it was a really small party. Claire decided to go with her and of course, no way was she not going to show off her make over and see what others thought about it. Maybe she was being silly and naive but that was just Claire. The kind of girl who never really knows what she’s doing but does it anyways.
They set out but somehow, Claire was in for the biggest surprise of her life. After Danielle had given the password for entry to the huge bouncers, they were let inside the place. What she had been told to be a little party turned out to be next to clubbing. But then, not necessarily a club. Claire tugged at Danielle to say something to her but something else was already ongoing.
“Ciao Danielle my home girl. How are ya doing?” A really cute rasta guy holding a plastic cup was walking over to them. It dawned on Claire that the evening was just getting started and she prayed not to get roasted in the end. Danielle and the guy greeted heartily with kisses to the cheeks.
“Ahem… This is my best friend Claire.” Danielle said
“Ciao Claire.” the guy said approaching her when Claire shot forward her had for a handshake.