Chapter 1

I smiled at the customer as she paid. 

"Have a great day."

I glanced down at my mother, too high to care about where she was and too high to care that her teenage daughter was doing the work she was supposed to be doing. 

"Thanks doll." The customer took her coffee from me. 

"You're welcome." I watched as she left the cafè. 

There were a few patrons seated at the tables. The door bell chimed as the next customer walked inside. 

"Good evening. How may I help you?" I smiled at the man. 

He didn't return my greeting. 

"One black coffee."

"Will you be drinking it here?"

"Yes." He answered blankly.

"Coming right up." I smiled at him again. The owner told me to be really nice to the customers because the cafè itself was named 'Nice'. It was no problem. 

I made the coffee and put it in a tray on the counter. 

I told him the amount and he handed me a black Amex card. I quickly swiped it in the machine. 

I handed him back the card. 

"Would you like a cookie?"

"No." He took his card. 

"It's a special cookie, limited edition."

"I said no. Didn't your daddy teach you not to bother strangers?" He narrowed his grey eyes at me. 

Okay. "I was just trying to be nice. If you don't want a cookie, it's fine."

It was at that moment my mom woke up and got to her feet unsteadily. 

"She does not have a daddy." She slurred. 

"Mom, stop it." I placed a hand on her shoulder to sit down, but she swatted it away. 

"And what's your name?" He asked my mother. 

"Sheila." She fluffed her hair and grinned. 

The man handed her a....business card? 

"Meet me at The Lobster at 9 p.m. sharp."

What an unconventional way of asking someone out on a date. 

My Mom was about to take the card, but I didn't let her. 

"You can't blindly trust strangers Mom."

"Did I ask you little girl?" The man spoke. 

My cheeks flamed. Little girl? Me? 

"Shut up Ramara. You don't know." She snatched the card away and tucked it inside her chest. 

I pay the bills, I put food on the table, but she can't even give me half the respect she gives to strangers. 

"I'll be there handsome." She said and I almost gagged. 

"Pack this for me." The man said. 

I internally rolled my eyes. I plastered on a big smile. 

"Of course sir. Give me a minute."

I packed his coffee and gave it to him. He picked it up and walked away with his briefcase in another hand. 

"He could be a serial killer." I warned my mom. Not like she would heed it. 

She ignored me and took the card out of her shirt. I carried on with my work till it became dark. 

______________________________________

My mom was gone, probably on her date or getting high somewhere. By the time the last customer left, it was nearly ten. I closed the cafè and started walking to our apartment. It wasn't in the optimum condition, but the rent was cheap, so it was home for now. 

As I was walking and dancing, I felt someone creep up behind me and despite my fear, I whirled around with pepper spray outstretched in my hand. 

When I saw who it was, I relaxed despite my pounding heart. 

"Jesus Brandon! You scared me!"

He wrapped me in his arms. 

"Aww I'm sorry babe."

Brandon, my best friend. I would totally date him, but sadly, I'm not a man. 

"Should I tell you a joke to make you feel better?" He walked along with me with his arm slung over my shoulder. 

"Please don't." Brandon's jokes were so horrible. 

"Once upon a time, there was a rat. One day, the rat died. The end. The moral of the story is don't be a rat." He burst out laughing and I could only stare at him. 

He wiped a lone tear away and looked at me. "What? That wasn't funny for you?"

I saw two lone figures walking in the distance. 

"Do you see that Bran?"

"Don't worry babe, I'll protect you."

I rolled my eyes. "Of course you will."

"Do you remember the last time a black cat appeared in front of us honey?"

He glared at me from underneath his ridiculously long lashes. 

"That was one time okay?"

As we walked further towards the two people, I realized it was my Mom and the man who gave her his business card. 

"Mom!" I ran my hands through my hair. 

"You tell him our address on your first date?! Jesus, what is wrong with you?"

She raised her hand to slap me, but I caught her hand in time and stepped forward with her wrist still in my hand. 

"Next time you hit me, I'll hit you right back. Ten. Times. Worse." I dropped her hand and stepped back as she tried to form a sentence. I refused to be her punching bag anymore. 

Brandon's arm went around my shoulders again. 

"You should respect your mother, little girl." The man crossed his arms over his shoulders. 

Anger bubbled in my veins and I blew out a tired breath. 

"Oh I'm sorry Daddy. I didn't know you were in charge of me. You don't know anything about us, so it's best if you don't interfere in this lovely family reunion. And for the love of God, stop calling me little girl. My name's Ramara."

The man narrowed his eyes at me. 

"Be careful what you wish for dorogoy. That just might come true."

My mom went for a kiss on his lips. I prepared for it, but he swerved his head. 

"I hope to meet you again Geoff." Her words were slurred and I could see the the white particles in her nostrils. 

He twisted his mouth and walked away. 

"I'm sorry about that Bran. Don't mind them."

He ruffled my hair and I saw Geoff wipe his cheek as he walked away.