He didn’t offer any more details, and I didn’t press, not wanting to scare off my only jovial company. The amount of sneers heading my way this last leg of the journey was astounding. People didn’t always cross the street for Oscar, but they didn’t exactly get in his way, either, and I was enjoying the sneer buffer.
“Okay, well, I’ll be off. Things to do and other debts to collect.”
Zark’s was only a few doors down as Oscar nodded and continued along. It might’ve been a coincidence, or had Oscar purposely walked me to work? I glance around, wondering if other people might’ve gotten the same impression. Would they all think I’d wanted protection? Well, I had liked it, but would they know? Or worse, would they think I sought it out? That wouldn’t do at all. I’d leave fifteen minutes earlier tomorrow, just in case. I’d rather take a beating than look like I was afraid of them.
I walked into Zark’s, and the place was busier than I’d ever seen. They all turned and looked at me nearly at the same time. At least here there was a room full of nods.
“Ah, Tippi, my dear!” Zark was waiting by the bar beside a young man with sandy-brown hair and big hazel eyes. I was pretty sure I recognized him from being out and about and not from getting sneered at. “This is Gregor, my son. It’s been so busy in here lately that I figured he could help you out when you work.”
Gregor smiled. I tried to smile back even as the truth hit me. That was it. Gregor was proof. I was here for the crowds. I was a fake bartender.
“It’s very nice to meet you.” I nodded to the back room. “Uh, Zark, you think I could talk to you for a second?”
“Of course. Anything for you, Tippi.” The rough and rugged personality of the Zark I’d first met had somehow transformed into the persona of a doting uncle who wanted to fulfill my every wish.
I smiled at Gregor again before walking away.
Zark spoke before I could get the chance. “Is there something wrong? Do you think you won’t mesh with Gregor? I can get someone else to help you if that’s the case. Your happiness is very important to me.”
I was shaking my head before he finished. “No, not at all. Your son seems like a very nice man.”
“Then what’s wrong?” He stared at me like a man about to move the sun out of orbit if I said I didn’t like the glare.
“Well, don’t you think that maybe since I’m getting paid, I should do the bulk of the work? I don’t feel like I’m doing much of anything.”
Zark shook his head in painfully feigned shock. “You do a lot. Why would you say something like that?”
“I washed four glasses yesterday. That’s it. That’s all I did, all day.” He might be willing to nix the sun and his son, but the line seemed to be drawn at messing with his bar.
He rubbed his jaw. “Are you unhappy about that? I want you to be happy here. Maybe you could wipe down the tabletops or something?”
If this job didn’t work out, I was done. And if you are listening, Helen, that does not mean I’m giving up. It just means maybe I might have to get very creative about my living situation.
“Look, I like it here and I’m so grateful for the job. But if you’re keeping me for the crowds, they’re going to dwindle eventually after everyone gets their look. You know that. Then what happens? Will I get fired then when they’re done eyeing me up and I’m not doing a good job? I’d rather be useful now and know I’ll have a place to work.”
There, it was all out on the table now.
Uncle Zark suddenly disappeared, and the craggy old man I’d first met was back. “Look, if you really insist on trying to do more, even though you’re not good at it, we can work something out if it’s going to keep you here. But as far as the crowds dwindling after they get their fill? It’s not going to happen. That room out there? They think you’ve got something special that’s wearing off on them. They’re not leaving, and I’ll pay you more if that’s what it takes.” He crossed his arms and looked like a man with a mission.
“I’m not looking for more money, but this is going to wear off.” I hooked a thumb toward the packed room.
“I’m not so sure.” He shook his head. “They think you’re lucky, and I think they’re right.”
“You mean you believe it too? Trust me, I’m not lucky.” I could give the man a long list to prove my point.
“Well, some might think you are. I’ve never made so much coin in one day.”
“And when you figure out that I’m not?”
“I won’t fire you because that won’t happen.”
There was a clear choice here: argue over why he should fire the lousy employee, or be happy for employment. Did I really want to talk him into getting rid of me? I had an apartment and a dust bunny with a fondness for cocoa.
“Okay. That sounds fair. I’ll head back to the bar now.” Who was I to try to convince a man he was wrong? I was sure much better women than me had tried and failed.
“That’s great. The crowd likes to see you. Try to stay front and center.” He smiled, waving me off.
I made my way behind the bar, where Gregor was already filling orders.
“I’m really sorry you have to help me,” I said. “I’m going to try to get better fast. It seems some of my magic gets a little excited at times.”
His eyes lit as the corners of his mouth turned up. “It’s fine. Rumor has it that you like to save up your magic for bigger things anyway.”
“I didn’t really plan that,” I said, not wanting to start off a new relationship being a big magic showboater, especially when I couldn’t even make a drink well.
“You’ll find your way. I do have to say, a lot of us were surprised you came back. Word was you wanted out of Xest as soon as you got here.”
He was wiping down the bar as he spoke, as if he didn’t care that much and this was all small talk, but the gut I swore I was going to listen to said he was a little too interested.
“The place grew on me, I guess. It’s hard to fit into Rest after the curtain is pulled back,” I said, not imagining he’d understand. How could he when he’d never had to hide what he was?
“Any plans, you know, beyond this? I’d imagine someone as strong as you are would have some.”
Ah, now all the questions made sense. Seemed everyone, from the sneers to the nods, was afraid I was going to rock the boat around here.
“I really don’t. I’m just playing it by ear.”
He let out a small laugh, as if elated to hear I wasn’t determined to take over Xest single-handedly. Who did these people think I was? All I wanted was a nice little space to call my own, a job to pay the bills and maybe have half the population of Xest stop sneering at me.
9
Better shoes were in order for my new job. My heels were aching, and there were squishing noises coming from my feet. By the time I got to my place, it felt like I was walking in a slushie.
Nailed to the door was a long yellow scroll, nearly as tall as I was. Was I getting evicted already? What the hell was this? I ripped it off and brought it inside with me.