The sun was bright and high by the time we pulled onto Alexander Street, and it wasn't even past eleven. I squinted at it behind the shade of my hand, wishing I had thought to bring a hat or something. Without it, I'd have to skirt the edge of buildings, skulking in the little shade they offered, otherwise I'd end up with a nasty burn... Another one. The thin white shirt I had borrowed from Polly's closet was wrist-length, but the sleeves were perforated by patches of lace; it wouldn't give me much protection.

The car rolled to a stop; Luc had pulled into a parking spot about midway down the block. From here, I could see the café, and just the sight of it made my whole body cringe. I quickly looked away, trying to put it out of my mind as well as scope out other places I could target for my resumés.

"Where were we meeting?" Luc asked Tory as he climbed out of the car.

Tory was already out on the sidewalk, pushing coins into the meter. "Just at the coffee shop," he said, nodding at the green awning that was taunting me from across the street. "The one I picked Rachel at yesterday."

I shuddered, but said nothing, focussing on getting out of the car myself. My hand just briefly touched the handle before Luc opened the door for me, and offered his hand. "Don't get too far, Rachel," he said, that same mischievous smile from this morning playing at his lips as he pulled me to my feet. "We won't be long. Shall we meet back here around noon?"

My gaze held his emerald eyes as he maneuvered me around the door so he could close it behind me. Though my optimistic half still had hope that the would keep his promise to spend the afternoon with me, the pessimist in me wouldn't relent.

"Why don't you just call when you're done?" I offered, finally, as he led up onto the sidewalk. "That way I won't have to wait around."

I hadn't meant it as a jab—not intentionally—but Luc's brows tightened, and his playful smile wilted. It was just for a moment, then his features settled and he gave a serene nod. "I'll call you, then. See you soon," he leaned in to give me a light kiss, "and good luck." He gave me a twitch of a smile before turning back to Tory.

I watched them wade into the street, wait for a lull in the cars, and then dart across before I set out in the exact opposite direction; I didn't want to risk even walking past the café, in case I was recognized. Putting the empty windows of Alexander behind me—including the very one that had caught Luc's attention, whose faded 'FOR RENT' sign still leaned against the glass—I made my way back to the main road and started looking in earnest.

The main road led west, and offered no relief from the sun; exposed, I quickly felt the hot bite of of the sun. I turned down the first corner in search of cover.

The advance of cold modern metal and glass had not quite reached this street. The tightly-packed buildings were grimy with weight of years in a city, but the windows of the ground-level shops were bright and shiny, not yet hollowed out by progress.

My pace slowed now that I was in the safety of the shade, and I took the time to carefully assess each business, weighing the likelihood of them hiring me. The trendy salon and accountant's office probably had no use for me, but the clothing store... The door gave a cheery jingle as I pulled it open and stepped inside.

The sun had only risen further by the time I had finished canvassing the entire side of the block. Now it was directly overhead, allowing no forgiving angles that produced shade, leaving me nowhere to hide. I fanned myself desperately as I crossed the street, my eyes darting nervously for some temporary refuge. There was another café on the corner that I made a bee-line for—an iced coffee would be heaven right about now—but when I tried the door it was locked; there was a simple sign taped to the door's glass window told me they were closed for repairs. Swearing and sweating, I continued past, throwing myself into the nearest open door, not even bothering to look at where it led.

Thankfully it was cool inside; the place hummed with the fans and air conditioners placed strategically throughout. The place seemed to be some kind of second-hand furniture store; mismatched wooden chairs were lined against the side wall, and another row was hung on hooks above. The first shelf in a long row was stacked with lamps from every era imaginable; there was even one that looked like an amputated woman's leg, perched in a high heel with fishnet stockings.

I must've been gawking, because when I finally noticed the girl behind the counter—very young, her tan skin clashing with the burnt-orange vest she wore—she was giving me a look like I might be crazy. If only she knew...

I plucked at the collar of my shirt, pumping it like a bellows, a weak attempt at cooling the sweat that was condensing on my chest. "Sure is hot out there, huh?"

She pushed up her thick-framed glasses, like she was trying to get a better look at me. "I wouldn't know," she said in unaffected monotone.

"I guess not," I said with a half smile, walking further into the store with what I hoped looked like purpose. I didn't want to be accused of loitering, even though that was exactly what I planned on doing; I just needed to cool down a little bit, and then I'd set out again with more resumés...

I had briefly debated offering her a resumé as well, but I had a feeling that she would've just dumped it in the trash as soon as I wasn't looking.

Choosing a corner at random, I ended up in an aisle consisting of shelves upon shelves of neatly arranged, slightly worn shoes; at the far end was a rack of winter coats. Apparently they sold more than just furniture.

"Anna!" came a high, carrying voice.

Someone bustled past the aisle, towards the counter. I watched them approach the girl—Anna—through the gaps in the shelves. From what I could see, the owner of the voice looked a lot like Anna, just shorter and older.

"What is it Auntie Rosa?" Anna replied, already sounding bored of the conversation. "I already swept the backroom..."

"No, no, I know." She waved her hand at Anne. "It's... Well, I have some good news, and some bad news."

Anne just looked at her aunt.

"Well, the good news is... you know how your cousin Carlo applied for that internship? Well, he got it, and he's starting right away."

"No!"

From the sound of it, Anne already knew where this was going. "Then who's going to cover my shift on Friday?"

"That's the bad news... I'm sorry Anne, but you know your uncle and I have that wedding this weekend and—"

As she spoke, an idea flickered to life in the back of my mind. Sure, it was a little ballsy, but what did I have to lose? I mean, as long as I didn't faint again.

I inched back down the aisle, moving as quietly as I could.

"Can't Joe cover for me? Or Maria?"

"Joe has deliveries, and Maria has a shift at the restaurant."

"But this is my all-time favourite band—"

"Excuse me?"

They both stopped, and turned towards me as I leaned around the edge of the shelves. The older woman—Rosa—just looked at me curiously, but Anna gave me a full-on glare. I fought the urge to shrink back; I had faced off against a demon, surely I could handle the ire of a surly teenager.

"Yes?" Rosa said.

I stepped out from the aisle, and made my way over to her. "Sorry, I couldn't help but overhearing, but it sounds like you've got an open position. Is that correct?" Even all the air conditioners on at full blast couldn't stop my face from heating up.

Rosa just blinked at me for a moment. "Yes, actually."

"Ah, well, I hope you don't mind my forwardness, but... I'm actually looking for work. In fact, I was just in the neighbourhood handing out resumés." I pulled out a neatly folded piece of paper from my bag that contained a run down of my few accomplishments, and handed it over. "I-I was wondering you might consider me for the job?"

Taking the resumé, Rosa unfolded it and gave it a cursory glance. "Well—," her eyes lingered on my name at the top, "—Rachel, I'm afraid that this isn't really much of a job. It's barely part time, and we can only pay minimum wage."

"That's fine," I said, perhaps a little too quickly. I took a deep breath to calm my rising nerves. "I'm flexible."

Rosa's sharp dark eyes studied me carefully. I endured her inspection with a weak smile on my face, hoping that I looked more friendly than deranged.

"You know what?" she began, at last breaking the silence that seemed like it had dragged on for ages. "I have to say I'm impressed with your initiative. I'm going to give you a chance."

"Really?!" Anna and I both said, with two very different kinds of shock.

"Really," she echoed, first smiling at me, then turning to give her niece a fierce look.

"Thank you!" I reached out and clasped Rosa's hand, giving it a firm shake. "I won't let you down."

There was a low, sharp gasp from Anna. I glanced at her, and found her eyes locked, not on me, but on where I still held her aunt's hand with my own.

Oh.

My scar. She was staring at my scar, her eyes wide with... something. Not shock, not disgust, something I couldn't quite put my finger on...

"When can you start?" Rosa asked, pulling me back to the conversation at hand.

I tried my best to casually put my arm down, out of sight, and ignore Anna. "Anytime. Like I said, I'm flexible."

"Would you be able to come in tomorrow, for training? Say, two o'clock?"

"Two would be perfect," I said, already pulling my phone out to put the time in my calendar—not that I could forget. After I was done, I paused. It had been so long since I had actually gotten a job, I didn't know what I was supposed to do next. "Do you need me to fill anything out, or...?"

Rosa just laughed. "No, no, we'll sort all that out tomorrow. We'll see you then, okay?"

"Okay," I said, a huge smile breaking out across my face. "See you then." I wove around Rosa, giving them both one last wave as I reached the door.

"Are you sure about her?" I heard Anna ask as I stepped through it.

"Why wouldn't I be?" Rosa countered sharply. "And aren't you happy? You get to go to your concert now."

I didn't hear Anna's answer as the door closed behind me, but some strange twinge told me it wouldn't be 'yes'.

+ + +

What do you think Anna's problem is?

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