Chapter 1
I started working at Dale's Diner six months ago. I love my job but the only places I go are work and home. I have my regular customers and they all tip me well and I have fun. Standing behind the counter, I see four men walk in and they take a table in my section. They wear Sons of Anarchy kuttes. Walking over to the table I take out my pad and pen and ask "What can I get for you?" The one with the President's patch says "Just a round of coffees sweetheart." I nod and go to get the four of them coffees. Taking them to the table, I hand them out and say "Let me know if there's anything else I can get you." "Thank you sweetheart." the President says.
I walk over a little later and refill their mugs and leave them to talk while I wait on other customers. A little later, they get up and head out. I clear the table, and see they left not only the bill but a good tip. I finish my shift and clock out to walk home. Walking home, I walk in the door to my mom and her boyfriend fighting...again. Walking in, I try to go to my room. "Where the fuck have you been?" my mother asks. "I was at work." I tell her. "Where's your money?" she asked. I reached into my pocket and handed her my tips. "This it?" she asked. "We weren't that busy." I tell her. Smacking me across the face, she says "You better start selling your ass then." I back away to my room and close the door.
A little later, the fighting stopped and I laid in bed hoping to fall asleep for work the next day. I just dozed off when my bedroom door opens. My mom's boyfriend comes in and closes the door and locks it. He walks over and pulls the covers off. "Wake up you stupid whore." he says as he rolls me to my back. Taking off his boxers, he climbs on top of me and forces my panties to the side and forces himself inside me. He thrusts in and out roughly and I try to fight him off but he grabs me by the throat and squeezes until I can barely breathe until he releases himself on my stomach. "Clean this up bitch." he says as he puts his boxers back on and walks out of the room. I clean up and lay there crying knowing that this is the life I got stuck with.
The next morning, I get up and head to work. Walking in, I get to work. I take customers' orders and clean the tables when they leave but I'm not as sociable as I normally am. "You okay Vanna?" Carrie, the other waitress working, asks me. "Yeah. Just tired." I tell her and she nods her head. I look up and see the same four SONS that come in every day. I walk over and ask for their orders and they all say just coffee. I go to the counter and get their coffee and take it back over to the table. "Let me know if you need anything else." I say like I do every day. A little later, they leave and leave me another tip.
Walking outside, I head home and I see the blonde SON that comes in every day. "Hey." he says. "Oh hi." I say as I pull my jacket around me and put my hood over my head. "You want a ride?" he asked. "No thanks. It's not a long walk." I say and keep walking. He walks up beside me and steps in front of me. "What's your name Sweetheart?" he asked. "Vanna." I say but don't look up at him. "I'm Kozik. But most people call me Koz. You sure you don't want a ride?" he asked. "I'm sure. Thank you." I say as I walk around him and head home.
Walking into the house, mom is waiting with her hand held out. I hand her my tips and walk to my room. That night, after she passes out, her boyfriend comes into my room and forces himself on me again like he does every night. When he releases himself, he says "Good girl." because I didn't fight him this time.
I get up the next morning and head into work. Walking in, I clock in and head to the counter and start wiping it down. The blonde from the night before walks in alone. Sitting at the counter, I walk over to take his order. "Just a coffee." I nod and get his coffee. Sitting it in front of him he says "Thanks Vanna." I go to wait on other customers and see Koz watching me. Walking back to the counter to start rolling silverware and Koz asks "How come you walk back and forth?" I look at him and say "It's not that far." I look back down at the silverware. "Can I take you for a ride after work?" he asked. "I don't think that's a good idea." I say. "Why not?" he asked. I look up at him and say "Kozik, I appreciate the offer but I don't go very many places. I just work and go home." I tell him, looking back down. He doesn't say anything else, just leaves me the money for the coffee and tip and walks out the door.