For three days, Beth kept herself afloat. Everyday she'd go to the diner and didn't leave until she felt as though her feet were about to bleed or Carol told her to scram; usually Beth was too stubborn to stop and it was the latter. She was constantly trying to be there, picking up stiffs or splitting shifts and praying she wasn't stepping on too many toes. She didn't think anyone would mind her running across the street for a midnight shift though - even if she'd only had two hours to herself.

Every night, when she had time, she'd count her tips and budget; and every other night she was running, carefully, up to the ridge to call her mother, to lie about all the wonderful adventures she wasn't really having.

It was on the fourth day that Beth could feel herself sinking, however. It seemed like every day now, Tara was stopping her at the office, telling her Jim wanted payment. It was understandable, it was a motel after all. But, the price of each night seemed to be going up every time she turned around. That morning, it seemed to be the price of a three-star hotel, at least.

Beth didn't say anything though. She didn't know why she kept her mouth shut, or why she watched her savings float carelessly away from her finger tips, but she did. It wasn't as though she actually owed anyone more than what she was due. Except for maybe Daryl.

So far, for at least part one shift per day, he'd been at the diner. If she was running around wildly, he'd chat with Carol; who she noticed made him blush like a school boy. If she was behind the bar, he'd sit there and try to talk to her. She'd try to make conversation back, but she found it hard to even focus on anything but working.

God, what was she supposed to do? She owed Daryl the most money out of anyone, and there is was slipping out of her grasp. Beth reminded herself she just had to work harder, longer; and she need to remember to call her mom that night.

Beth trotted across the street and made her way around the back of the build. She was instructed that she was supposed to come and go from there. As she rounded the side of the diner, she waved at a few of the ladies smoking on the picnic outside the back doors. She couldn't help but envy them being able to lean against the building, with their legs stretched across the bench.

"Morning." Beth mumbled at them. They nodded at her and continued smoking and blowing toxic clouds towards her direction. She hoped it was their idea of hazing as she hacked from the inhalation.

She obviously wasn't there to make friends and, it was true she had no intention of ever going back to the town. However, Beth didn't exactly want anyone hating her. She was always taught that, if she was going to leave a lasting impression, it might as well be a good one. So, as she finished coughing, she smiled and quickly scooted into the back door.

"You look like shit."

"Excuse me?" Beth turned to see Annabelle, one of the woman she worked with.

"You look like shit." She repeated. "Do you ever sleep?"

"Not recently." Beth tucked a piece of fly away hairs behind her ear, like it would make a difference in her appearance.

Annabelle laughed. "My toddler doesn't sleep either. Which means I don't. The only difference is he doesn't cry over Bob the Builder."

"Oh, well I guess we have something in common." Beth teased. She never really that her lack of sleep would be the catalyst to making nice with the other waitresses. "Bob's the worst."

"You got kids?"

Beth shook her head. "No I just used to babysit a lot."

"Good, keep it that way." Annabelle jerked her head toward the front, "We better get out there." Beth smiled and immediately started walking along with her to the front.

For a good some of the day, every time she passed Annabelle, she'd smile; and if she had a moment, Beth would ask about her kid. It was amazing how much people liked to talk about themselves and how far it really got you. It also made her understand bit more why these women would be peeved about her taking some of their shifts and tips. While Beth was trying to keep herself afloat, many of them were trying to keep an entire family from sinking.

It was something Carol had told her before, but now she knew some of the kids names. Now she knew daycare or babysitters wasn't always an option. She guessed, aside from there being no farming, that was one of the bigger differences from her home town. While Beth was trying to keep herself afloat, many of them were trying to keep an entire family from sinking. So, when it came down to it, even though she needed the tips too, later that day, she stayed behind the counter and let one of the other ladies take two of three tables.

When Annabelle asked Beth why she gave up the tables, she simply said, "I don't have kids to worry about."

"You really are a nice girl, Beth." Annabelle commended her. "But I'm pretty sure Jackie doesn't have any kids."

"Oh."

Annabelle laughed at her. "You'll learn."

Beth was about to respond, when the front door opened and Daryl came walking in. He spotted her, but he didn't come walking toward the counter that time. No, first he had to talk to Carol.

Of course.

She could hear Carol's laugh from across the diner. She tried her best, but Beth could tell she was making a face. She didn't exactly know why she was though.

"Why the sour face?" Annabelle asked, trailing her eyes to where Beth's were fixed.

Beth couldn't help herself. She'd been dying to know. "What's their deal?"

"Who? Carol and Daryl?"

"Yeah. Are they, like, a thing?" Beth cringe at the words coming out of her mouth. She sounded like a kid.

"Why do you care?" Annabelle raised an eyebrow at Beth.

"I don't." Beth replied, a little too quickly. "He'd just in here all the time talking to her. I was just wondering.

"Hmm, well I guess you couldn't possibly know all the town's gossip, even if most of it revolves around the Dixon's. But no, they're not together if that's what you're asking. He's up for grabs."

"Who would want to grab Daryl?" Beth half joked.

"You're the one asking if he's single." Annabelle said. "I also can't help but notice, his frequency at the diner has increased since you started here, so."

Beth felt her face flush immediately. She'd always assumed he was there for Carol. Why would he be there for her? Her face went a little more red. Oh, you're such an idiot. He was probably just checking in on his investment.

"Excuse me." Beth looked at the clock, her first shift was coming to an end. "I have to go make a call.