The Scapegoat's Return: Watch Me Shine Now

weeks

pace. She had dropped silverware, mixed up table numbers, and frozen when too many voices demanded her attention at once. But she refused to quit. She learned the r

n necessary. She k

on hung in the ai

ay afternoon. Crysta w

s voice barked from

g into the open cash register

argo asked, coming

hut. The sound made Crysta flinch. He turned his head and lo

t. The two customers at t

ed into her shoes. She immediately reached for

ed, wiping her ha

sta. His arms were crossed over his chest. "I counted it this morning. It was p

r voice was quiet, but her heart wa

pockets,"

burned the back of her neck. She was back

ed out her order pad, a pen, and three dol

r apron,"

top him, the bell ab

ed twenty-dollar bill. "Hey, Leo. You gave me a ten inste

is face. He looked at the mechanic,

ed his head to

o him, and walked into the kitchen. She grabbed a stack of dirty plates and shoved

vived t

ers. She forced her brain to catalog their faces and th

tall man with broad shoulders a

coffee, and placed it on the counter at his usual spot.

ptain Mason,

ed at the coffee, then at Crysta. He smiled.

r a glass of iced tea, though she had to run back to the kitchen when she realized sh

rush paid for his sandwich

Underneath the chair, a thick

She could see the edge of a stac

rom the grill. His spa

wallet, ran to the front door, and pushe

she y

was unlocking hi

allet, gasping for brea

t, saw the cash was untouched, and let out a massive breath. "Than

tepping back. "I don

d walked back

anding by the register. He looked at her. He

osed, Crysta was taking the he

nst the brick wall,

nto the dumpster. She t

you do?"

ped. She lo

drag of his cigarette. "What did

s in her chest. She looked at t

ople," Crysta said flat

details. She didn

ng time. He dropped the cigaret

am making the marinara sauce. It takes two peopl

ation. It was a

ed. "I will