-Roxy-
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I sat in bed. I thought to myself, How am I going to be able to go to the gym with my ankle? Yoga is good for stretching the body. Maybe that could work? I rub my face, hop out of bed, and change into a workout bra and leggings.
I dig in my closet for my yoga mat and pull it out. I lay it flat on the living room floor. I turn on an alarm for when it's time to go, do stretches, and carefully form yoga poses.
I hear my alarm goes off. I pack my yoga mat and throw it back in the closet. I put on my jacket and leave towards the elevator.
Once in the parking lot, I go to my car and drive.
I stop by a flower shop and drive to the cemetery. I arrive at the cemetery and go to Dad's grave. I replaced the flowers from yesterday and sat next to him.
"Hey, Dad," I pause as I imagine his voice.
"So, a lot happened yesterday," I take a deep breath.
"It started with breakfast. As you say, it's the most important meal of the day. Charlotte, like always, complains about what I eat. Afterward, we cleaned up and got ready for work. The boss said it's Valentine's week, so we had to dress up," I look around at the silent graveyard.
"I dressed as a mouse. I was going to practice, like always, before we opened. Rebecca's snobby ass performed before me, and I had to go on after her. It turns out she tampered with the pole, making it slippery. When I grabbed that part, I slipped. I hit my head and broke my ankle," I pause as I imagine his reaction.
"Well, long story short, Charlotte had to take me home, and I had lunch with Evan. I invited him to dinner with Julie, and it got awkward between Charlotte, Evan, and me."
"Between you and me, Dad, with all this drama going around. I don't think this place feels like home anymore. You know Violet wants me to move to Seattle with her. She also thinks I should get therapy instead of talking to you. Lately, I've been thinking about it recently. Maybe it's time to move on. After all, it's been almost five years since you passed," I see the sun rising.
"Another glorious sunrise. Thank you for listening, Dad. I miss you so much every day. I love you," I kiss my hand and put it on the headstone.
I go to my car and drive. I drive to my coffee place, pick up two coffees and a tea, and drive to my apartment.
I go up the elevator, skipping the main lobby and stopping at my floor. I knock on Julie's door, and I see no answer. I knocked on the door again, and still no answer.
Huh, she must have gone somewhere. I wrote on the cup, "Good Morning, Julie. I got you tea and flowers. I hope you like it," and set the drink and flowers on the floor near her door.
I go inside my apartment and see Charlotte getting ready for work.
"What's going on?" I see Charlotte roll her eyes.
"Didn't you get the memo? We have to open at 12."
"No? What memo?" I see her roll her eyes.
"The text message saying we have to open at noon.
"I haven't got any message from work," I feel my pocket buzz, and I look at my phone.
"Huh, I got a message. It says until my ankle's done healing, all the way, I have to bartend. I also have to serve drinks to the VIP's from now on. I don't get it. The message isn't isn't from Jerry or anyone else. It's a random number," I unlock my phone and show Charlotte the message.
"Good Morning, Roxy. Here is your schedule from now on until your ankle has healed. From 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., you will be bartending on the main floor. From 4 p.m. to close, you will be serving the VIP's. Lunch break is at 6:30 p.m. Arrive at work an hour before opening to discuss business. See you soon. Mr. Winters."
"Well, that explains why I have to take the slack for you, and no fucking way. You got a private message from Mr. Winters?"
"I did?"
"Yes, you idiot. None of us got a private message from Mr. Winters. We're all in a group chat getting messages from Jerry," I see her look through her phone.
"You're not in the group chat."
"Which means?" I look at Charlotte with a confused expression. I see her roll her eyes.
"Which means Mr. Winters has plans for you," I roll my eyes and start getting ready for work.
"Sure, he does. He won't see me for long," I see Charlotte look at me confused.
"Are we moving?" I smile at her.
"I've been thinking about it. It would be good to get a new start," I see the eagerness on Charlotte's face.
"Yes! Finally, we can get out of this cheap and expensive apartment," I laugh.
"I think the only thing keeping us here is Julie. Speaking of Julie, have you seen her today? She didn't answer when I knocked on her door today," I changed out of my workout clothes and into sweats.
"No, I haven't. Last I saw Julie was last night."
"Huh, maybe she went somewhere. Do you know what today's theme is?"
"Pft, hell no. Yesterday's theme was torture. Not only is it stupid. It was also a nightmare to wear and build," I laugh as I pack my bag, and I see Charlotte pack her bag, too.
"What was it?" I see her roll her eyes.
"Flowers."
"Flowers?" I look at Charlotte, confused.
"Fucking flowers. I'm already tired of this week. Are you ready to go?" I laugh.
"Yeah, I'm almost ready. Remember, this is our last day until vacation."
"Oh, I remember. That's why I want to get this day over with. I'm excited to go to Canada and meet some French men," I laugh.
I finish getting ready and meet Charlotte at the door. I start going into the elevator, and Charlotte follows.
"Hold on. Are we not going to talk about how Mr. Winters has your number?" I shrug my shoulders.
"I don't care. It's not like Mr. Winters is going to text me again. Besides, I only want to focus on me and you," Charlotte hugs me.
The elevator stops at the parking lot, and we go to my car. I drive to the club. I pull into the club parking lot.
"What the hell happened here?" I look at the place I once parked, now a part of the club building.
"Yeah, since Mr. Winters bought the club and the building next to it. He plans on expanding the club and hiring more people," I roll my eyes.
"Great, just what we needed," I park the car in the new parking area, and we both go inside.
The sounds of construction arriving everywhere make it hard to hear your thoughts. We go backstage and sit at our stations.
"All right, ladies. Now everyone is here. It's day three of counting down to Valentine's Day," I see Jerry relevant the strip of paper on the board.
"Today's theme is hearts. Dress in your best Valentine's best hearts. You know what to do, ladies. Give some love and take some money. Now, get to work," I see Jerry leave in a rush.
"Dang, something seems off about Jerry. He's usually happier and joking when he announces the theme," I see Charlotte look at me.
"He's been like this since yesterday. I think it's new ownership. It's made him more serious and less happy. He already does a lot for us and for this building," I see Charlotte put on red lipstick.
"I'm going check on him to see if he's okay," I go to his office and knock on his door.
"Jerry, are you in there?"
"Come in," I walk in and close the door behind me.
"Roxy, Welcome back. What can I help you with?" I see his head doesn't look up from doing paperwork.
"I came to see if you were okay," I see him look up at me.
"Look, Roxy. Unless you have an actual problem or question. Get out of my fucking office," I take a deep breath.
"At least I tried to check on you. I don't know what's fucking going on with you but don't take that shit out on me," I leave Jerry's office and go to my station.
He wants hearts. I'll show him Hearts. I dig in my bag for black lingerie. I make red paper hearts and glue them on the bra's center. I then grab fishnets and go under the bottoms. I put on red makeup and black lipstick. I drew a heart with a red pencil on the lips.
I do my other makeup regularly, and I change into my outfit. It's almost ready. I painted a red heart on my belly button and sprayed red hair coloring on the tips of my natural hair. Good enough. I walk over to Charlotte.
"Dang, girl. You look amazing. You did better than me," I hear Charlotte laugh.
"That's because you just put red hearts on your tits and called it good," I laugh.
"Well, I don't give a shit anymore. Can you help me with my converse?" I see her roll her eyes.
"Just because you broke your ankle, doesn't mean you can't put shoes on."
"I know, but you put them on just right and tie them tight," I see her roll her eyes, and I chuckle.
"You have bartending all day, right?"
"Yeah, what's up?"
"Well, I heard it's packed with VIPs today since it's a Friday, and you can't work it alone. So, I'll join you in serving. I'll serve the drinks while you bartend."
"Alright, sounds good, but what about your original routine? Aren't you going to get in trouble?"
"Nah. If I do, I don't care. You're going to need help."
"Okay, then we shall bartend and serve the VIP. You ready?"
"Nope. Let's go. I've dealt with these assholes all day yesterday. I'm sure you did."
"Yeah, it was amazing to entertain Mr. Winters. Don't worry, Roxy. When you're gone, Roxy, I'm sure Mr. Winters will be fine with me. Who knows? Maybe he'll want me rather than you," I hear Rebecca's skank ass laugh.
"Oh, damn. I'm glad you've got Mr. Winters next week. The things he's been putting me through are brutal. It's true what they say about Mr. Winters."
"He's the most ruthless boss you've ever met. I'm sure you'll love what torture he'll put you through," I chuckle with an evil smile.
I see Rebecca get mad and cross her arms.
"If I would look close enough to your ugly ass face, Rebecca. I'd say that's fear. Isn't that right, Charlotte?"
"Oh, yeah. Rebecca's majorly scared of Mr. Winters. It's written all over her. You can smell it all over her stinky ass," I pretend to take a whiff.
"Pee-ew, Rebecca. Not only do you stink in general. You stink in fear now. Goodbye, Rebecca. Have fun next week with Mr. Winters," I blow her a kiss. I leave the backstage, and I see Charlotte following me. I start walking to the VIP section.
"Did Mr. Winters put you through hell?"
"Nah. I said that to make Rebecca afraid, and boy, did it work," I hear Charlotte giggle.
I walk behind the bar and wait for Charlotte to take drinks orders. I see Charlotte come towards me, give me the paper, and I make the drinks. I continue to make drinks as Charlotte gives me the order, and I watch her serve it to them.
I make another round of drinks for her, and I see a crowd walk to the VIP section. I look at the time and see it's 4 o'clock.
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-End Of Chapter 11-
Thank you soooo much for reading Chapter 11 of CRASHING DOWN INTO GLORY!
Have a smashing day/night! <3