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It's been one week since the attack, but it's New York, life was normal again, like nothing happened. You were working as usual, cleaning the tables, and looking for any tips left on the table by the clients, you were lucky actually, 2 dollars, that was an accomplishment on a not movemented day.

-Y/L/N my office, now.- Alonzo said in a serious voice.

You looked at Louis, the chef:

-I don't know what he wants but it doesn't seem good. Good luck there.- He said in a pity tone.

-Thanks.- You briefly said and entered the office. You had a bad feeling, Alonzo never calls you in there, something happened, and probably something bad.- You wanted to talk to me?- You said, your boss pointed to chair, you sat- So?

-Well...Y/L/N you see, you are a great worker--

-Are you firing me??- You gasped.

-Oh shit...sorry, was that too obvious?

-B-But why? I work here for 8 years!

-Exactly, don't tell Louis yet but...The owner will sell this building.

-Sell? Why?

-It seems he will travel back to Italy, the real, Europe Italy, and he don't want to take care of this anymore.

-Wait so everybody is fired?

-Putting that way is kind of harsh but...Yes, yes we are.- He handled you a small envelope- This is the payment of the month.

-I-I can't believe this...But can't we talk with him? Try to convinve him otherwise?

-I'm afraid it's not possible, he has already made his choice.

-I...I have nowhere to work...- You let go while holding the thin envelope in your hands, all you had now.

-I'm really sorry Y/L/N. Look at the bright side, it's not just you.

-There's no bright side in this.-You looked back at him.

He moved his shoulders trying to joke. You remained serious.

Alonzo got up from his chair, went to the door and opened it.

-That's it, I guess I don't see you tomorrow.- You moved towards the door to leave- Oh, and don't forget to say to Louis to come to my office, need to talk to him too.

You didn't say a word, you felt betrayed. Obviously Alonzo had another job, since he was so calm about this, Louis already worked on another diner, so you were the only one left unemployed.

While walking through the same streets the sky seemed dark just like your feelings right now, a future uncertain, you never thought about what would happen after the restaurant.

-Darn, what am I going to do?- You said to yourself.

-Y/N!- It was Mrs.Ginger.

-Oh hello..

-Y/N dear how are you?

-Not very good, I have just been fired from my job.

-What? Why??

-Long story, but I was a good worker.

-I'm sure you were.-She made a sad face- That's a shame sweetie, what are you going to do?

-Well, write a resumé and deliver around I guess.

-Do you want to come to my house and drink some tea? Or coffee?

-Oh no I can't Mrs--

-I insist, let's go.- She grabbed your hand and dragged you to her house, good thing it was very close, so it wasn't a long walk.

-...Wow- You let it go as you saw the big and old house, you always thought Mrs.Ginger would live in a cute place, maybe a small house surrounded by tulips, or an apartment full of cats maybe, not a house like that. It had 2 floors, an old dark blue roof, the walls made of bricks, giving dark academia vibes, the garden outside were full of roses, the only colorful part of the outside.

-Do you like it?- She asked.

-Yes...It's very...Charming.- You lied.

The house was old but safe, the porch seemed like new, the door intact, nothing broken. It was indeed an old but preserved construction.

The floor was made of a dark brown wood, so clean that you could see your reflection, the walls were full of portraits of people you've never seen from all types of eras.

Mr.Ginger pointed to an old leather sofa for you to sit, you obeyed.

-Shall I put some music dear?- She said going to a record player on a desk.

-Um..Sure.

She smiled and put the record to play, it seemed like 40s songs, quite nice actually.

The old lady hurried to the kicthen saying that she would prepare coffee, leaving you on the living room by yourself.

You felt like on another century, the furniture all from the 40s and 50s. No sign of recent technology like tvs or samrtphone, you asked actually for Mr.Ginger's phone number once, she said she didn't trust cell phones, that the government was spying on us through it. She was an interesting lady.

You looked at the brick fireplace, now on, warming the room and giving some comfort on that cold and odd day.

Above the structure there were some other pictures, all in black and white, with people on the war, other by the lake, a young couple posing. You wondered if Mrs.Ginger were in any of them.

She came with a tray with cups, she put some coffee and gave to you. You slowly drunk a bit, feeling the strong aroma and taste of the drink on your mouth.

-You must be so sad...How long have you been working there?- She broke the silence.

-8 Years, it's not that I'm sad...Kind of diappointed actually, I'm not sure of what comes now.

-You are still young, I'm sure you'll find another job soon.

-I hope so- You took another sip of coffee- Mrs.Ginger are you in any of these photos?- You pointed for the portraits above the fireplace.

-Oh...No actually, those were some friends of mine.

-You must be really close to them.

-Yes, we were like a family. Too bad they are not in this world anymore.

-I'm sorry...

-No need to be, I'm sure they are good wherever they are. Except Fred, I'm sure that one went straight to hell haha.- She laughed with nostalgia- Talking about friends Y/N, I always see you leaving work and then you say you are going straight home, don't you have friends to go out with?

She really caught you off guard. You weren't very good to start friendships, I mean, you were a nice and polite person, but it was hard to trust someone, your cycle of friends were Mrs.Ginger, Sarah and Manuel, and that's all.

-You are my friend!- You smiled to avoid the question.

-Of course we are darling, but I'm saying friends your age.

-I don't really need more friends.

-Y/N, of course you do. What about a lover? Huh? Any girl or boy would feel lucky to have you. What about that guy, what was his name...Eric!

-Oh my god Mrs.Ginger-You blushed- We broke up it's been a long time.

-Really? I saw him on the market these days, he asked about you. I thought you guys were together again.

-Haha...-You gave an awkward laugh- No we aren't... We don't even talk.

-That's too bad. You two were a lovely couple. But, as I said, you are still young, and there's plenty of fish in the sea!

-I'm more worried about finding a job now.

-Of course, everything in it's time.

You nodded and drunk more coffee.

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Back at home, you told the news to Manuel at the bakery while Sarah was asleep.

-Fired? How could he? In this 8 years you always worked so hard, and for what? To the owner just go to Italy? That's not fair.- Manuel said furious.

-I know.

-And the payment? Do you think it's enough for the rent?

-I hope it is. Our landlord have to understand.

-I would offer you a job at the bakery but--

-Manuel, I know you can't afford it, and it's okay. Maybe that's a sign to change my job, maybe my diploma can be finally of use.

-I could drive you to deliver your resumés tomorrow if you want to.

-That would be good, thanks.

-No problem, you are family Y/N, remember that.

You smiled and said good night.

Time to sleep and leave the worries for tomorrow.