The six-hour bus journey was exhausting. Still in the same clothes, and nothing else apart from the money she had been given, she went to the shops to buy a few essentials and new clothes. Needing somewhere so she could shower and stay, she found a cheap motel nearby. Opal was strong under the weak facade she had shown Gareth. At least if she could manage one decent night’s sleep, she would be alright. The next problem she had to face was that she would need to work to keep the money coming in. Tomorrow she would start looking; the sooner she found something, the better. For now, it was just getting a decent shower and a warm bed.
Denver, at least the town she stopped in, had everything. The motel she found was mediocre and wasn't too far from most things. She was talking to herself, muttering that she needed to find a job somewhere when the motel manager heard her.
“You're looking for work?”
“Yes, I need something to keep me going,” Opal chewed on her bottom lip.
“You can always try Bill's bikers hotdog place. It's nicer than you think. I'm sure he was looking for a waitress the other day.”
“Oh cheers, that would be perfect. Where is the place?” Opal’s heart leaped with hope for the first time since escaping her psycho ex.
“Here's your room key, and I'll get the address for you, but he's not far from here. Beautiful lass like you shouldn't find it hard to get work around here.” He gave her a wink and smiled at her.
This makes Opal blush; she's not used to the comments. She thanks the motel manager and heads to her room. Placing her bags down, she peeled her horrible clothes off her body. She was going to throw them away, but with the possibility of a job, she might need them now if it was a waitressing job. Stepping under the shower and washing her hair and body, it felt like she was washing all her troubles away.
Thoughts crossed her mind as the shower washes everything away; she is strong, a survivor, a fighter. She had been given a chance by a kind man and was thankful for everything he had done for her. He didn’t know her but he gave her money, enough to get her away, to be safe. She was so tired at the time to take it all in, but just that short time in his arms, the way he carried her, held her, she had never felt that way before.
After her shower when she had got out there was a note pushed under her door. The motel guy had written down the name and address of the biker hotdogs restaurant. She was planning on getting some sleep but thought if she went there first she might be able to land a job.
“The quicker I get something the better.”
Changing into her new clean clothes she heads out. As the guy had said it wasn’t far she walked. It took her about fifteen minutes. On arrival she could see it looked really nice, for the name she was expecting some sort of rough dive bar/restaurant.
“Hi there, welcome to Bill’s, how many would you like a table for?”
“Hi, sorry, I was looking to see if there were any jobs available?” She clasped her fingers together nervously.
“Oh my god you would be a lifesaver. Yes, I’m desperate for help here, my name is Angela.”
“Opal.”
“Cute name. Come I’ll take you to Bill, I’m sure he will be happy to take you on.” Angela was enthusiastic and there was a vibe of kindness which radiated off her.
“Cool, thanks”
Following the girl called Angela through to the back, she knocks on a door. She spoke to a man that she called Bill, letting him know that someone new was looking for a job.
“Thanks Angela, show her in.”
“There you go. See you soon.”
Opal steps inside the office. As soon as the door is closed, the man speaks. “I’ll give you a chance. If you fuck up, you’re gone. I don’t mind small mistakes, but I don’t like fuckups. You understand.”
Opal nods and then realizes he wouldn’t be able to see her as he still had his head down. “Yes, Sir.”
“Everyone calls me Bill. If you have any problems, you let Angela know or any of the others. They will help you. And if you can start tomorrow, that would be good. I’m down an extra person tomorrow night.”
“Yes, Sir, I’m sure I can manage.”
“Good, I don’t like slackers. If you think it is going to be easy work, then go somewhere else. You get paid well, and you keep the tips you get off your punters.”
“Thank you, I won’t let you down.”
For the first time, he looks up properly and smiles at Opal. He hands her a piece of paper that she takes.
“That’s the hours I can give you this week. If I’m happy, then you will get more.”
“Thank you so much. I appreciate that,” Opal glanced down at the piece of paper.
“Come tomorrow at four o’clock. Angela will show you the ropes.”
Opal takes the hours given, they aren’t that many but it is better than nothing. She goes out to find Angela seating a couple so she waits till she is done before talking to her.
“Fantastic, I’ll see you tomorrow then.” Angela was beaming a huge friendly smile.
“Thanks a million, this will help me so much.” Everything was starting to fall into place, Opal couldn’t believe her luck.
She goes off happy, and heads back to the motel, picking up a takeaway to eat. When she gets back she crashes in bed and pure exhaustion from the day hits her and she falls asleep.
Waking up with a nightmare, Opal finds her arms wrapped up in the covers and not able to move. Darkness still covers the room so she knows it’s still night time.
“Shit…”
Sinking her head back down into the pillow trying to get the thoughts out of her head of Gareth and get back to sleep. It takes her time but eventually she falls back asleep.
Waking up the next day, she has paid up for four nights for the motel and starting today at her job she hopes that the tips she makes might cover her costs for other nights at the motel.
Getting up, she realized there was nothing for her to eat, and she knew she had to be careful with the little money she had. With only pennies to spare, she thought if she waited till she got to work, at least she might get something to eat there. Only being able to get a bottle of water, she rested most of the day till it was time to go to work.
Starving but ready to start the evening work, she had met Angela and she had shown her the tables she was to serve.
Greeting everyone and seating them as she served her section, she thought she had done reasonably well throughout the night. She got offered by the chef something to eat, which she was grateful for. As she had just finished her shift, Angela came up to her.
“Hey, you did really well tonight.”
“Thanks. I need the money.”
“You know you would make a really good ring girl.” Puzzled by what she means. “Oh, you don’t know about the fights in the boxing ring?”
“Boxing?”
“Yes, the MMA fights they have here.”
Fighting is not something that Opal had liked, but with the interest of making some extra money, she wanted to know more.
“What do you do and how much do you get paid?”
“Oh babe, let me take you into the world of gorgeous men and total bitches,” Angela beamed, there was a twinkle in her eyes.
