It was 11pm, Thursday. Jenny had been working only since 8 oclock, but the time passed like a turtle that was hitching a ride on a snail. She looked up at the clock for the hundredth time, letting out an irritating sigh.

You missed table 12! her boss yelled from the back room.

Sorry, Ill get right on it, sir, Jenny replied.

She wasnt sure how much longer she could stand it. She smelled like grease, felt like *****, and needed a hot shower and 8 hours of good old fashioned sleep. As she walked over to table 12, she noticed a young girl sitting outside in front of the restaurant. The girl looked about 17 or 18, she had a short Mohawk which was defiantly died hot pink. Her heather t-shirt was torn and old, as were her hand-me-down jeans. She sported black chucks and carried a small army nap sack over her shoulder. She sat slumped against one of the windows, smoking a clove cigarette and rubbing her eyes. She looked tired, much more than Jenny. Jenny continued to glance out the window at the peculiar girl as she cleaned up the last table. The young girl turned her head and saw Jenny watching her. She waved and lifted up her cigarette in a peace offering. Jenny quietly slipped out to accept.

Hi. Jenny didnt know what else to say.

The young girl handed her a smoke, and lit it with a rainbow painted lighter. Jenny smiled.

So, youre working late I see, the girl said.

Yeah, it totally sucks. I have to make rent, though, so I just grin and bear it.

The girl spoke once more, what does grin and bear it mean?

Jenny laughed at the girls sweet ignorance.

Never mind. So what are you doing out so late by yourself? Dont you have anywhere to go home to? Jenny inquired.

Naw. I live off the streets. This guys supposed to pick me up around midnight, were gonna look for an abandoned building or something. Thats what we usually do.

The girl stood up and out-stretched her hand to Jenny.

My names Case, by the way.

Jenny shook Cases hand.

Nice to meet you, Case. Im Jenny.

Jenny Case thought out loud, thats a really cute name.

Thanks. Jenny smiled.

What could she do, this poor kid was going to get picked up by God knows what kind of guy, probably have to blow him just to pay him back for the ride, and then what? Sleep in some ***** hole that has no toilet or shower, no food or electricity. What would Shane say if she brought her home? She had been there once. She probably would be happy to help. Jenny decided to try to do just that.

Hey, Case, why dont you come home with me, I can give you something hot to eat, a bed to sleep in and you can take as many showers as you want.

Case looked at her with bewilderment.

Youre kidding, right?

No way. Totally serious, man. I want you to come stay with me and my friend. We can help you out. Please, I want you to come. Itll be fun! Jenny added for good measure.

Well, I have to sayyou must be heaven sent, because you havent asked me for anything, I dont have anything to give (obviously) and you dont even know me. Case looked across the street. Her ride pulled up into an old parking lot. She became nervous and her eyes began to dart from side to side.

*****.

What? Is that your ride? Jenny asked.

Yeah. Hes gonna be pissed if I dont give him what he wants.

Jenny felt queasy. She grabbed Cases arm and pulled her quickly into the restaurant.

*****, now what? Case was getting worried – paranoid even.

We wait. Eventually ***** just give up and drive away. If he tries to come inside Ill go get the manager. Hes a big guy. We can call the cops, if it comes down to that. Jenny formulated all possible scenarios inside her head.

Youre being way to nice, Jenny. Really, you dont have to get involved. My life is so fucked up, I dont want you to ***** yours up in the process.

Jenny almost laughed at that.

Case, my life is already fucked up. You couldnt do any more damage at this point. Jenny thought of Carmen, Robyn, Gene, Marina and then Tim. Poor Tim yeah, her life was definitley fucked up.

Here, Jenny sat Case down in a booth, Sit down, relax. Ill bring you some food. After I finish my shift well head home. Dont go anywhere, okay?

Case smiled. I wont. I promise.

Jenny put her hand on Cases shoulder. Good. Ill just be a few minutes.

Case nodded and slouched back into the soft rubber booth. Jenny snuck around to the back of the kitchen, making sure her boss didnt see. She asked one of the cooks if they could make her something to go, off the record. It was a good thing Larry had a crush on her. Elsie would never give her free food.

Jenny packaged up Cases meal and clocked out for the night. The clock read 11:59pm.
She helped Case into the front passenger seat of her two door copper colored Dotson. Case was having trouble getting her right leg into the car.

Whats wrong with your leg? Jenny asked, concerned.

OhI, uh, fell last night at a party. One too many beers, ya know what I mean? Case looked uncomfortable.

Yeah, sure. We can ice it when we get to my place. Just hang in there.

Case smiled at Jenny, her big brown eyes glistening in the corner street lamps reflection. Okay.
She paused, then put her small, dirty hand atop Jennys. Thank you.









Bette couldnt sleep. Mostly because she was too excited. Twins! Twins, twins, twinsshe could say it all night and into the morning. Now shed be really busy. That was good; she wasnt intent on having too much time to contemplate her life. She just wanted to let things happen naturally. No second guessing, no expectations. Thats why she liked being with Jenny. There wasnt any of that present in their relationship. She wanted to tell Jenny about Tina, but she was going to be working very late tonight. Bette turned over in her bed and glanced at the digital clock.

*****. Its already midnight.

Time had passed so swiftly, and still Bette hadnt gotten one single minute of rest. Shed be baggy eyed and grumpy when she arrived at work the next day. Today, actually. It was already Friday. Friday! The end of the week. She smiled up at the darkened ceiling. She had to do something traditional to celebrate Tinas news. HmmmShe could invite all of their friends over for one big baby shower. Theyd have food, drinks, music. Yes, thats what she would do. Perfect. Bette sprang out of bed and walked into the living room. She grabbed a piece of paper and a pen and began to make a list of all the guests.



Tina lay in her bed, sound asleep. She was dreaming, very vividly. In actuality, Tina was having a recurring nightmare. She was trapped in some kind of catacombs, water was flooding in through the pipes, and she couldnt get her legs to work. She tried desperately to grab on to the piping overhead, but it was too slippery to grip. She called out, her voice going hoarse. She could barely even squeeze out a sound.

Bette!!! Bette, help me!!! Im trapped! I cant walk

Tina woke up screaming, her body covered in sweat. She looked at the clock sitting on her dresser. It read 12:15am. She had been asleep since 9 oclock. She strained to sit up, taking a long drink of water from the cup she had left by her bedside. It was just a dream. No, a nightmare. One that she had had before. Why was this one so persistent? She felt very alone and afraid. She wanted to pick up the phone and call Bette. Even Alice, just somebody to talk to. She knew she couldnt disturb them. Shed feel horrible in the morning if she did. But how was she ever going to get back to sleep? She picked up the television clicker and turned on the set. David Letterman was on. Shed spend the rest of the night watching television until her eyelids became heavy again. It wasnt more than five minutes before she found herself turning it off and falling back into her pillow. This time she dreamed about flowersshe dreamed of her family and her old wiener dog Lucy. The early morning continued on.



Jenny and Case arrived home shortly. They both headed for the door, when Shane swung it open ahead of them.

Jenny, whos your friend? Shane looked a little suspiciously at the pink-haired girl.

Shane, this is Case. Umwell, shes kind of homeless. I told her that you probably wouldnt mind her staying here for a few nights. She really needs a place to sleep. Jenny looked at Shane with eyes that were pleading for mercy.

Shane could see the layers of dirt caked on the homeless girls skin. She remembered when it was her out there on the streets, all alone, at the command of every pimp and junkie lord. The horrible Santa Monica Boulevard. She felt sorry for the girl, Case. She knew what she had to do.

Thats cool. Its nice to meet you, Case. Shane offered a handshake. Case shook her hand and thanked her for letting her into their home.

You have no idea what this means to me, Case replied.

Shane felt tears well up in her eyes. She choked them back and took in a fresh breath of air. She saw so much of herself in Case, save for the pink hair. It was high time she gave something back to the community she was once a part of.

Lets get you something to eat.