C4 Chapter four

Harper and her Mother arrived at the new apartment they had just leased from the proceeds of the Mansion they had gotten. The rest had gone to pay her Father’s fine and the rest of the debt they had to pay.

The air in the apartment was thick with the smell of dust and cold. Sunlight illuminated the room from a single window pane worn with age. The walls of the house were cracked and peeling with washed paints. The floor made of linoleum was worn for being thread on by various previous occupants.

Their cramped apartment had only two bedrooms rooms , a kitchen and one bathroom a stark contrast to their well furnished mansion, with massive space and so many rooms. The whole apartment combined was even up to her previous bedroom, but she was grateful , at least it was a roof over their heads and it was affordable.

“It’s…homey ” Harper said, trying to be positive.

Her mother gave her a smile that didn’t reach her eyes “Yes it’s home, for now.” she said, her voice slightly tired.

The days following the move were filled with silence, each of them in their own world trying to get used to the change, and trying to navigate their new life. Her Mother had taken up cooking though, it always turned out a disaster not surprisingly, her mother had never cooked a day in her life. They had always depended on other people to take care of the domestics for them. But Harper, was happy to subject herself to the torture of eating her mother’s cooking so long as it made her happy .

Harper who had now assumed the responsibility of the sole winner , took on the job of a waitress at a local restaurant , the pay was not much but it was enough to cover most of the bills.

She a former heiress who had never served her self had to wait tables. She wasn’t even up to average her job and did poorly serving tables but the manager had taken pity on her, willing to teach and put her through.

“Mom I’m so tired , I don’t think I can take it anymore” she confessed one evening after a long day at work, snuggling up to her mother on the sofa, “ I don’t know how you managed to just move on and adapt as if this has been our lives, I feel so exhausted.” She said

“ it’s going to be alright Harper, you are doing so good” Her mom encouraged her, “ It’s not as though I don’t think of where we are coming from, but I have cried and wallowed so much , it’s not as if that is going to change everything that happened. The least I can do is stay strong.” Her Mother said “ Besides, I do believe that this situation is only for a moment.”

Harper looked at her mother who seemed to embody hope at that moment, she felt as though her strength had been renewed.

“ If miracles do happen, I really do hope one happens soon for our sakes” she said in her heart

Life in their new neighborhood was different from the one they had previously had in their million dollar estate. The street we r narrow, littered and overflowing with trash cans . The air was stale, thick with the scent of cheap smoke and trash. It seemed like it was one man for himself in this neighborhood unlike their former neighborhood were everyone pretended to be friendly with each other.

The peace and quiet was replaced with the constant noise of dogs barking and people screaming. The noise of police sirens seemed to be a normal in this neighborhood . Harper didn’t like it one bit , “ How could people live like this ?.” She wondered.

Working as a waitress in this environment seemed to be more difficult than she had thought. She was expected to wear skimpy classless uniforms, spending long hours on her feet, dealing with very demanding customers. She was only allowed to take a break around two and for just 30 minutes .

It was lunch hour , the restaurant was filled with customers “Can I get you something , Sir?” she asked a customer , she had just managed to serve a group of over 10 people who couldn’t seem to make up their minds what they wanted she had stood at their table for over 4 minutes trying to get their order

She was already exhausted from having to stand that long in five inches heels, she just needed a break.

The man, who seemed to have a brooding figure, scowled at her. “If you don’t know how to do your job, then you should quit” he said, his voice snarky “You are awfully slow, ”

Harper’s cheeks flushed with anger, she wanted to retort and heap all her frustration on him but she desperately needed this Job. she forced herself to smile and offering an apology, trying to remain professional.

“ I’m so sorry Sir, if you are not satisfied with my service, another waitress would be made available to serve you. My apologies.” She stated, keeping her eyes on the floor as she walked away.

As she walked away, she heard someone say from the group of ten she had previously served, “ I recognize that lady, isn’t that Harper kings? The one whose Father was arrested and the news was all over town?”

“ Oh how the mighty fall, “ another replied “ from an heiress to a waitress in a local restaurant.”

Harper felt her face burn from shame , their remarks was like a bullet that hit her square on her already wounded heart, she was reminded once again of what she had lost.

“ I really can’t take these anymore , the judgements, stares and remarks is just too much.” She wailed. She tried to recollect herself and tidy up when she heard footsteps. She turned and saw a short, thick girl with pepper-red hair approach her. It was one of the waitresses she worked with, Alessia.

“ Hi, Are you okay? “ she asked. “Oh right, you are crying. Obviously, you are not alright,” she said awkwardly.

Harper let out a laugh and sniffed. “ I’ll be fine, thanks for asking,” she said.

“ Well, I heard what they said. Don’t let their words get to you; I think you are really strong,” Alessia said, comforting her.

“ Thank you so much,” Harper said, truly grateful. But easier said than done, the whispers followed her everywhere.

“ This might be awkward, but I’m Alessia, and if you ever need someone to talk to, I’m right here,” Alessia said, “ Thanks, Alessia, I’m Harper; I’m truly grateful for that, but I think I’m okay now so we can go back inside,” Harper replied.

“ Alright then, “ Alessia said, two of them walking back to the restaurant. That was the start of their beautiful friendship that spanned decades.