You sure you want the honest version? That’s the only one I’m interested in. For a moment she just stared at him, like she was debating whether he could handle it. Then she took a deep breath. All right. After high school, I got a scholarship to Arizona State. Thought it was my ticket out. But halfway through my mom got sick. I dropped out to take care of her. Money got tight, bills piled up. After she passed, I never went back.
Matthew didn’t interrupt. I married a guy who seemed stable. Thought he’d help me get back on track. Turns out, he liked the idea of a wife who didn’t ask questions about where the money was going. When I finally did, it turned out where was a blackjack table in Laughlin. And money was everything we had. She looked down at her hands. He left 2 years ago. Haven’t heard from him since. Matthew’s chest tightened. And you’ve been here ever since?
Yeah. Tried other jobs, but this is steady. Not much else in town unless you’ve got a degree, which I don’t. She gave a little shrug, like that explained everything. Renee, he started, but she held up a hand. Don’t. I’m not telling you this for pity. It’s just life. Some people win big, some people end up here. He shook his head. That’s not how I see it. You didn’t lose. You got knocked down. That’s different. She smirked faintly.
Easy for you to say when you’re sitting there in a suit that probably cost more than my car. He leaned back, studying her. Maybe, but that doesn’t mean I don’t remember where I came from or the people who helped me get here. Her eyes softened, just a little. So, what are you saying? Matthew didn’t answer right away, because the truth was the idea forming in his head was bigger than just buying her dinner or slipping her some cash.
But he knew that if he said it out loud, it might change both their lives forever. Matthew waited until her shift ended. They walked out together into the fading desert light, the diner’s neon sign buzzing behind them. Her car, an old sun-faded sedan, was parked crooked along the curb. She tossed her apron onto the back seat and leaned against the door. So, she said, you going to tell me what’s on your mind or are we just going to stand here staring at each other?
