Seeing that several tables were empty but not cleared, Lillian got a tray and cleaned the tables herself. Things went quicker after that so Lillian made it a habit if she couldn’t find a busboy, she would simply clear the tables herself.
So she was totally flummoxed when a busboy chewed her out after the restaurant had closed.
“Whatcha think you doing cleaning my tables,” confronted the busboy, standing a little too close to Lillian.
She stepped back. “I . . . I don’t know what you mean,” Lillian replied. “I thought I was helping.”
“I don’t need no help, bitch,” sassed the busboy, stepping closer to Lillian.
After years of being bullied, Lillian simply had had enough of men telling her what to do. “I’m sorry if I stepped on your toes, but I suggest that you step it up cleaning the tables. Dirty tables were slowing the turnover. If you have a problem with me, you should talk to Jack. If he tells to me to stop, then I will. But he might tell you to get off your butt and work faster.”
The busboy’s face flushed to a dark red. He couldn’t believe that this old hag was talking back to him. He pointed a finger at Lillian and jabbed it within an inch of her eyes. “Stay out of my business, old woman, or else.”
“Or else what?” boomed a masculine voice.
Both Lillian and the busboy turned around to see Jack watching them.
“This old lady is up in my business. I was taking care of the tables,” whined the busboy.
“First of all, I don’t like the way you were talking to this lady,” replied Jack, his voice very low. “Second, if this lady is old, then I must be ancient.”
“But . . .” blurted the busboy.
“But nothing,” interrupted Jack. “The waitresses are complaining that someone is stealing their tip money. They’re coming up a hundred dollars short every night.”
The busboy looked away. “I don’t know nothing about that.”
“It seems that this started happening when we hired you.”
“Aw, come on now. Don’t trip on me. I got nothing to do with that.”
“Look up. See those surveillance cameras. I record what goes on here and I checked those tapes. You are stealing the tips off the tables and taking very long smoking breaks. I’m very thankful that this old hag had the initiative to clean off tables while you were slacking off.”
The busboy moved toward Jack in a threatening manner.
“You hit me, boy, you better make sure I’m dead, ’cause I’ll beat the living crap out of you and then dump you in the ocean for the sharks,” hissed Jack. He was smiling, which made the threat scarier.
The busboy blanched. “I want my pay then. I don’t gotta listen to this shit. You’re disrespecting me.”
“Great minds think alike. Go to the office. Greta is waiting for you. She has your severance pay ready.”
“That’s more like it.”
“You get your check right now and once it is in your hands, you leave and never come back. If I ever see you on my property again, I’ll have you arrested.”
The busboy took off his jacket and threw it on the floor. Giving Jack one more disdainful glance, he purposely bumped into Lillian as he passed.
Lillian bit her lip to keep from crying out. She did not want to give him the satisfaction that had he hurt her shoulder.
Once the busboy was out of the room, Lillian addressed Jack. “I’m so sorry. Was I the cause of all of this?”
Jack smiled. “Hell, no. I was going to fire that punk anyway. You just made it easier for me.”
Lillian gave a sigh of relief. “That young man is so angry, I feel sorry for him.”
“Don’t waste your time. That kid comes from a good family and he is driving them nuts with his anti-social behavior. Just about everyone on this island has given him a job or tried to help straighten him out. He’s just no good and that’s the truth of it.”
“He doesn’t come from an underprivileged family? The way he speaks.”
Jack laughed. “His dad is one of the leading software providers in Florida. You don’t have to worry about him being homeless.”
“That’s a shame.”
“Yes, it is. A great shame, but like I told you there is something off about that kid.”
Lillian didn’t respond, but wanted to sit down. Her feet were killing her.
“How did you like it, this being your first night? Or is it your last night?” asked Jack, picking up some empty beer bottles.
Lillian smiled. “It’s harder than it looks, just like you said. But I’m game, if you still need me. Do you?”
“You actually did very well. See you tomorrow then?”
“Yes, very much so.”
“Okay, then come in around four.”
“Thank you. I’ll be here,” replied Lillian, her heart feeling lighter after the confrontation with the busboy. Finally someone had told her that she had done something right. That compliment was better than a paycheck.
And it was just what Lillian needed.
S
aturday was even busier and the waitresses showed Lillian how to put duct tape over her blisters as Lillian was beginning to limp during her shift. Even with the comfortable shoes Lillian had purchased, her feet were taking a beating.
At last, the kitchen shut down and the restaurant closed. Only the outside Tikki bar was open for a few late customers. Lillian noticed that most people in the Keys went to bed early so they could get up with the sun to go fishing. Those who wanted a fun night out headed to Miami, which was an hour away.
Lillian was sitting at the bar, nursing a soft drink while rubbing her tired feet. She fended off several invitations from bored snowbirds that she accompany them to their hotel until Jack told the “boys” that he was closing up for the night.
They groaned good-naturedly while throwing bills on the bar. Some turned, saying semi-lewd comments to Lillian before being pushed out the side gate by Jack.
“The mates mean no harm,” said Jack to Lillian. “They’re just blowing off steam. They don’t expect you to reply or come to their hotels where their wives are waiting for them. Just smile and ignore them. If they really bother you, come and get me.”
Lillian laughed. “I don’t like their comments, but I’ll tell you something. That’s the first time in years that a man has even noticed that I exist. I didn’t know what to do.”
Jack shrugged and went into his office. He didn’t know how to respond to Lillian’s statement. As far as he was concerned, Lillian was a nice-looking woman who was turning into an excellent worker. He didn’t want to lose her, but he didn’t want to be swept up in her personal life. Still, he felt sorry for her. He had noticed the fading bruises on her arms and that perhaps she was running away from a bad relationship.
Maybe he should talk to his wife about her. Or maybe he should just mind his own business. That’s what the Key Largo folks were known for–minding their own P’s and Q’s.
L
illian worked very hard at Aussie Jack’s and after several weeks on the job, she had mastered hostessing and waitressing. She was also learning how to bartend. She filled in wherever she was needed.
It had been a busy shift, and after the waitresses had shared their tips with Lillian (hostesses, bartenders, and busboys got a percentage), Lillian got her flashlight and headed back to the Last Chance Motel. She was calling it now by its old name rather than the Pink Flamingo Motel. (Only the tourists called it that.) Nursing the blisters on her feet, Lillian pulled off her sturdy shoes and put on some flip-flops.
Most of the lights in the houses were out, making the street up to Highway 1 dark and foreboding. Lillian could hear ships in the ocean calling to each other as well as a lonely TV blaring here and there from dimly lit houses.
This area was an older part of the Key and most houses had been built in the ’60s. The landscaping was lush and cast shadows on the narrow side street. Lillian kept her eye on the lights on Highway 1 where cars roared by occasionally.
Lillian heard something rustle behind her. She turned and looked, but saw nothing but shadows and waving plants dancing in the ocean breezes. Waving her flashlight around, Lillian had a strong sensation that someone was watching.
“Hello? Anyone there?” Lillian strained to look. Just when a shadow started to take form, a porch light was turned on and a group of giggling teenagers rushed out of a house.
Happy that people were about, Lillian followed them to the highway, occasionally looking behind her. Once on the highway, Lillian rushed across the road, and using her keycard opened the security gate to the Last Chance Motel, closing it behind her.
Lillian took a deep breath. She now felt safe. She was convinced that someone had been lurking in the bushes near Aussie Jack’s. She was sure of it!
Guests were still swimming in the lighted pool and a newlywed couple was taking a dip in the lagoon. Lillian said hello to a few guests and then hurried to her bungalow, locking the door behind her.
Lillian had a second sense about danger. She had always known when Bob was going to explode. She had felt that same anxiety on the side street.
Maybe she should drive to work from now on, but that was ridiculous as the restaurant was so close. Maybe she was just being silly.
Lillian would think about what to do tomorrow. Exhausted, she fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.
L
illian counted her money. Even with good tips from Aussie Jack’s, Lillian couldn’t afford to stay at the Last Chance Motel. The problem was that she worked only three nights at the restaurant. If she wanted to stay on the sun-kissed island, she was going to either find a full-time job or another part-time one. Either way she was going to have to find cheaper accommodations.
She dreaded leaving the Last Chance Motel. Lillian loved its relaxed atmosphere. It was one of the most beautiful motels she had ever seen. Everything about it was charming.
And Eva Hanover was a darling girl. Girl? Lillian realized that Eva was only a few years younger than she, but Lillian felt much older when she compared herself to Eva.
Lillian looked down at her clothes. Maybe it was the way Eva presented herself. While Eva wore clothes appropriate to her age, her clothes were still stylish and fun while Lillian always bought practical dark clothing. Maybe Lillian should buy clothes to go with her new hairdo. Yes! Lillian needed a new style of her own to go with her new life.
But that would have to wait. Right now she needed to find cheaper accommodations. Lillian couldn’t put that unpleasant task off. She would have to talk to Eva.
“I
see,” replied Eva after listening to Lillian. “Do you have another place to stay?”
“No, but you’ve been so kind to me, I wanted to give you a head’s up and also pay for this week’s rent.” Lillian counted out five hundred dollar bills and some change.
Eva handed over a receipt. “Are you wanted by the law? Please tell me the truth.”
Lillian was insulted. “Of course not. That’s ridiculous!”
“You told me that you are running away from something.”
Lillian felt ashamed. “I am. I’m running away from a bad marriage and as soon as I get enough money together, I’m going to divorce the son-of-a-bitch.”
“I have a reason for asking these questions, Lillian. Is that your real name?”
“Yes. Jill St. John was just a cover name.”
“I see. Let me backtrack a little. The reason that I am asking is that my manager is relocating to Kentucky. Also the slow months are coming up.”
“Yes?”
“As you know, I’m getting married in a month and would like to take some time off with my husband and know that the Pink Flamingo Motel is in good hands while I’m gone.”
Lillian’s eyes lighted up.
Eva continued, “Also, I will be moving into our new home. If you can hang on another month, you could be a clerk and live behind the office rent-free. That would be part of your stipend plus a small wage.”
“I see,” replied Lillian, shaking a bit. Could such luck have fallen into her lap?
“Well, it would solve your problem and mine. Of course, you would have to take a drug test first and I would have a background check done.”
“I would love it. Take my blood if you want. You will only find two speeding tickets on me. I used to have a heavy foot when I was younger,” confided Lillian. She grasped Eva’s hands. “Thank you so much,” she gushed. “You have no idea what this means to me. I was getting so depressed about the possibility of leaving the Last Chance . . . I mean the Pink Flamingo. It is so lovely here. A little paradise.”
“I know this place brought me back to life when things had gone wrong in my life. I hope she works the same magic for you.”
“Oh, what about Jack? I don’t think I can give up those shifts. It’s too much money.”
“I think we can work something out if you realize that you won’t be able to take his weekend shifts all the time. You will have to make accommodations, but I will talk to Jack. In fact, he gave you a glowing recommendation, so he knows that you might have to change your shifts occasionally.”
“You already talked to him?”
“Yes, Jack is a good friend of mine. He really helped me when I first moved here. He’s a good guy.”
“And he didn’t get mad?”
“Heavens no. That’s the restaurant business. Jack’s lucky if he keeps the same waitress for three months or more. That’s the lifestyle here in the Keys. People come and go all the time.”
Lillian thought back to her husband who got angry over the least little bit of stress in his life. She was so glad that she didn’t have to wait on him anymore, even though she was “waiting” on people now. The difference was that some people actually appreciated her service now and were willing to pay for her work. “When do I take the drug test? I can take it tomorrow.”
“Good. Go to City Hall in Marathon after ten. Ask for Officer Masterson. He has an office there. He’ll take the info for a background check and then he’ll tell you where to go for a drug test. That isn’t done at City Hall.”
“I’ll be there at nine-thirty,” laughed Lillian.
Eva extended her hand. “I hope this works out for both of us.”
“I hope it does too,” gushed Lillian. She shook Eva’s hand and felt that she had a friend for the first time in many years. And having a friend felt very good indeed.