"Millie, pick it up girl you have tables waiting," my boss Michael shouts from within the kitchen.

"I know! I know," I plead as I fumble with the plates of food ready to be served. I have worked at this diner since I was sixteen yet somehow I always get stuck with the closing shift. After delivering table six's order I visit the other tables in my section to collect their orders. Sluggishly I make my way back towards the kitchen. "Keaton, I have the next round of orders here."

He smiles at me while swiping the tabs. "I'll get right on these."

The dingy yellow lighting was depressing as I look around the old diner. This place had once brought me so much joy, the large windows always welcoming the sun rays. My dad and I used to sit in the red corner booth sipping on milkshakes and eating our weight in French fries. I sigh, things were much simpler then. As I dive deeper into the memories, the more distant they feel. Over half my life has been spent without him but he is someone I will always miss.

Michael walks out from the kitchen and behind the counter where I am standing, pulling me from my thoughts. "Hey, Michael any chance I can get my check? I'm still a little short on rent and if I don't get it to Ms. Anderson soon, I'm afraid she may kick me out this time." I laugh nervously when he smirks at me.

"Ms. Anderson adores you," he chuckles. "She would never kick you out even if you're late."

"She adores me, but she's getting fed up with my mom."

"Who isn't fed up with that woman? No offence."

"None taken." I frown.

"Excuse me," a man from one of my tables states rudely in an attempt to grab my attention.

I roll my eyes before making my way towards him. "What can I do for you?"

"Nothing I just have a question." He eyes his friends suspiciously before turning back to me. "You single baby?" His lips pull up into a smirk that makes my skin crawl, and not in a good way. The smell of alcohol wafts up from his breath causing the hairs in my nose to curl. "Cause if so," his hand reaches up to caresses the sensitive skin behind my knee.

"Please don't touch me," I whisper as I take a step back out of his reach.

"Why not, you don't want to have fun with us?" He glances around at the other men sitting with him, and I do the same. All of their eyes are on me which causes my stomach to twist in knots.

"No thank you, I have to work." I smile politely.

"Is there a problem here?" Michael wedges himself between me and the table of men.

"No problem, we were just leaving." The man that had caressed my leg states plainly as he stands, tossing a twenty down on the table. "Come on guys, the lady isn't interested."

My heart beats fiercely as I watch them leave. "T-thanks."

Michael turns around a sheepish smile crossing his heavy-set features. "Here's your check, why don't you head on home."

"No, I'm okay. Promise."

"I just know how you get when men—"

"I'm fine really, thank you for the concern." I reach out and give his shoulder a light squeeze before turning around and checking on my remaining tables. Once I know our other customers were satisfied, I grab an empty dish bin and rag to clear the table the men had been sitting at. I snag the twenty and shove it into my apron pocket. Even with my tips from the night and my check I would still be short on rent. Thanks to my mom who found my brother Jacob and I's rainy-day stash and blew it on drugs, again. Which means tomorrow I will need to find odd jobs throughout the community to try and make up the difference.

The diner grows darker as the sun sets behind the buildings of New York City, the neon lights taking over for the night shift. It is truly a city that never sleeps, believe me it kept me up on several occasions. Time whizzes by and before long we are thanking our final customers of the night as they head out the door. Michael clicks our OPEN sign off as I hop up onto the counter to divide the tips between Keaton and myself.

"How'd we do?" Keaton asks as he makes his way out of his cave. Leaning against the counter he eyes the stacks of cash. "Looks like we did pretty good, but then again we always do when you work."

"Oh yeah?" I smirk as I finish counting out the tips.

"It's because you're prettier than the others." He grins at me. My stomach is a flurry of butterflies, but I push them away. Although Keaton is extremely attractive, he isn't my type. Then again, I'm not sure I even knew what my type is.

"Yeah okay," I snort in disbelief. "Here's your half, I am out of here!"

"Woah not so fast, let Keaton walk you to the subway at least," Michael points at me. "I mean it!"

"Ugh fine," I hop down off the counter before grabbing my purse from behind it. "Let's go Keaton."

"With pleasure my lady," he teases. He skips ahead and holds the door of the diner open for me. "After you."

I roll my eyes. "Aren't you just the charmer?"

"Chivalry isn't dead yet love." He winks as he links our arms. "Still short on rent?"

My eyes widen at his question.

"I overheard you talking to Michael. If you need help, I can spot you." He smiles genuinely down at me, his golden-brown eyes taking in the details of my face.

I shove any romantic thoughts that stir to the side again; I am not in a position to concern myself with romantics. I need to focus on my brother and getting us the hell out of Harlem. "That's very generous but I will manage. Thanks though."

The rest of our walk is made in utter silence. However, I find it peaceful. I am not the best at casual communication. After my dad passed away our house had been filled with nothing but arguing and fist fights. My mom numbed herself with drugs, which ate up any money we had and remedied her useless in supporting our household. Don't get me wrong her substance abuse was an issue before my dad, but when he died, she used it as another excuse to use them. It quickly fell on my shoulders to support us all. I got a job as soon as I could watching children and eventually scored a position at the diner; but I know being a waitress is never going to be enough to change our lives. We will always be the scum of the city, the trash that others look down upon.

"Well here we are Millie," Keaton smiles down at me. "Will you be okay from here?"

"I usually walk by myself so yes, I should be okay," I laugh as I detach myself from him. "Thank you for walking with me."

"Of course!" His eyes beam. "I'll see you in a few days."

"Yeah, bye Keaton."

"Bye Millie."

The subway is practically empty when I sit down. Placing my headphone securely in my ears allows time to pass quickly and before I know it my stop is approaching. I stand up and walk towards the doors, waiting patiently for the car to stop. When it reaches my platform, I hurry out and keep my head down as I make my way towards my apartment building. I pull my keys out and unlock the door before tip-toeing up the stairs quietly.

SQUEAK!

Shit, I mentally groan as my weight settles onto the top step. Ms. Anderson's built in security system. I pause for a long moment afraid any movement will cause the board to creek further. Fuck, I mentally state at the sound of her door opening.

"Millie is that you?"

"Yes Ms. Anderson it's me."

"You're late on your rent again," she states plainly as she adjusts her glasses that sit at the brim of her nose. "This is the fourth time in a row. Now I can't keep making excuses for you just like you can't keep making them your mother."

"I know Ms. Anderson," I whisper as shame washes over me. Turning my body towards the elderly African American women I bite my lip in anticipation, waiting for her to chastise me. It isn't that I feel she ever would, but that's how I live my life. When I disappoint someone, I am typically beaten for it.

"You still working at that diner?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Going to college?"

"No ma'am. I can't afford to put Jacob and myself through college so only he is going."

"Hmmm. Follow me," she sighs as she disappears back into her apartment.

I raise my eyebrows at her questionably but comply. When I enter, she is bent over shuffling through papers. "What are you looking for?" I finally speak up, my tone thick with confusion.

"My cellphone. Gosh darn it I know I just had it," she shakes her head as she stands up straight.

"Um, Ms. Anderson?"

"Hmmm?"

"Your back pocket," I chuckle. "What do you need it for?"

"Remember how my son Peter died in combat?"

I simply nod my head yes, my curiosity hitting its peak.

"Well he met this amazing young man named Connor. When he came back, he visited me and said he blamed himself for Peter's death. Anyways he said he owed me a favor I could cash in at any time."

"Okay?" I laugh nervously.

"Well, I'm cashing it in." She smiles genuinely as she presses a few buttons on the device. Holding it up on speaker it finally starts to ring.

"Hello," a man's voice comes through the line.

"Hello Connor, it's Ms. Anderson, Peter's mom."

"Oh, um, hey. What can I do for you?" He suddenly sounds nervous.

"I wanted to cash in on that favor you owe me."

"Of course, anything," his voice fills with enthusiasm.

"I have a young lady in my building that is in dire need of a well-paying job. Think you can help her out?" My heart races at her words, I have zero qualifications for any sort of job other than minimum wage.

"I might, does she have any specific skill sets?"

"Well she's here with me, you're on speaker."

"Hi, can you hear me?"

"Um, yeah." I assume his question was directed towards me.

"Skill set?" His voice is plain.

"Nothing really." My cheeks flush with embarrassment.

"Oh, don't be silly. She is twenty-six years old and has spent her whole life raising her younger brother and dealing with a...difficult mother. She's just being modest. She adapts quickly and is highly determined to succeed if only given the opportunity."

There is a long pause before he finally speaks up, "Do you have a pen and paper?"

Glancing around the room I quickly locate the two items I need. "Yes."

"Good. Tomorrow at six in the morning meet me at the Matheus Tech building. Don't be late. Ask the attendant at the front desk for, Connor Hemings."

"Thank you so much," I gleam with appreciation.

"Don't thank me yet. I still need to see if you'll be a good fit," his voice is stern. I didn't need to see him to know he is annoyed with the situation.

"Just remember what my son did for you," Ms. Anderson sounds irritated at his sudden tone. "Goodnight Connor."

"Goodnight Ms. Anderson." The phone clicks dead.

"Thank you so much." I smile my heart swelling in anticipation for tomorrow. "I promise I won't let you down."

"I know you won't." She pinches my cheek lightly. "I expect your rent as soon as possible and I don't want it to be late again."

"It won't be I promise!" I walk towards the door with a slight skip in my step. "You won't regret this, thank you!"