Chapter 2: The First Time She Said No
Simone pressed the call button.
Her mother's expression changed instantly.
"Simone.""
The phone rang once.
Twice.
Beverly stepped toward her.
"Put that phone down.""
Simone raised one hand.
"Please don't.""
The woman on the other end answered.
"Good morning, this is Rachel.""
Simone swallowed.
"Hi, Rachel. It's Simone Carter. I'm sorry to call so close to the interview time.""
"Oh, Simone. We received your cancellation message. Is everything okay?""
Simone glanced at Beverly.
Her mother was standing with both hands gripping the edge of the counter.
"No," Simone said.
"Actually, I didn't send that message. I still want the interview. I wanted to ask whether there's any chance I could still come in.""
There was a pause.
Rachel sounded surprised.
"Your message said you were withdrawing from consideration.""
"I understand. But I didn't write it, and I never intended to withdraw.""
Another pause.
"Well, we have another candidate scheduled at ten, but if you can get here by nine-thirty, I can still meet with you.""
Simone closed her eyes briefly.
"Thank you. I'll be there.""
"All right. We'll see you soon.""
The call ended.
For a second, Simone simply stood there.
She had done it.
She had corrected the lie.
She had reclaimed something her mother had tried to take away.
But Beverly wasn't finished.
"Unbelievable," she muttered.
Simone put her phone in her bag.
"What's unbelievable?""
"After everything we've done for you, this is how you treat us?""
Darnell emerged from the kitchen carrying a fresh pot of coffee.
"Beverly, leave her alone.""
"She thinks she's too good for this place now.""
Simone turned.
"I never said that.""
"You don't have to say it. It's written all over your face.""
"Mom, I applied for a job. That's all.""
Beverly laughed without humor.
"An office job. Sitting in an air-conditioned room while your father works himself sick in this kitchen.""
Darnell set the coffee pot down.
"Don't use me to make her feel guilty.""
"I'm not using anybody.""
"You canceled her interview.""
"Because somebody had to think about the business!""
Simone picked up her folder.
"Then why didn't you ask Corey?""
Corey immediately looked up.
"Here we go.""
Simone faced him.
"You're free today.""
"I told you I have plans.""
"Plans that can't possibly be changed?""
Corey leaned back in his booth.
"Why should I change them? You always cover shifts.""
The words landed harder than he probably intended.
Simone looked at him.
"Exactly.""
Corey frowned.
"What?""
"You just explained the problem.""
He put his phone down.
"Don't act like you're the only one who does anything around here.""
"I didn't say that.""
"You always make everything about yourself.""
Simone almost laughed.
For years, she had opened the diner before sunrise, stayed late to close the books, handled supplier calls, trained new employees, and filled in whenever somebody failed to show up.
She had done it while studying for a business certificate at night.
She had done it when she was sick.
She had done it when she had exams.
And every time, Beverly called it helping the family.
Not work.
Not sacrifice.
Just what a good daughter was supposed to do.
Darnell moved closer.
"Simone, go get your interview.""
She nodded.
But Beverly wasn't looking at her daughter anymore.
She was looking at Darnell.
"You've made your choice.""
Darnell frowned.
"What choice?""
"You've chosen her over this family.""
He stared at his wife.
"She's part of this family.""
"Then why are you helping her leave?""
"Because she wants a chance to do something different.""
Beverly shook her head.
"Different from what? The business that paid for her education?""
Simone looked at her mother.
"My scholarships paid for most of it.""
Beverly's mouth tightened.
"Don't forget who gave you a roof over your head.""
"I haven't forgotten.""
"Then act like it.""
The silence stretched.
Darnell finally spoke.
"Beverly, when Simone was seventeen, she missed her school dance because you needed her to close this place. When she graduated, she spent the night helping you prepare for a catering order. When she turned twenty-one, she was here working instead of celebrating.""
Beverly rolled her eyes.
"That's called being responsible.""
"No. That's called asking too much of one child.""
Corey stood up.
"Can we stop? You're both making this weird.""
Simone looked at her brother.
"You're right. It is weird.""
She pulled on her coat.
Then she picked up her folder.
Beverly stepped into her path.
"Where do you think you're going?""
"To my interview.""
"You're really going to leave us with all this work?""
"Dad said he'd cover.""
Beverly looked toward Darnell.
He didn't look away.
"I'll manage," he said.
Simone walked past her mother.
The bell above the diner door jingled as she stepped outside.
Cold morning air brushed her face.
For several seconds, she stood on the sidewalk, breathing.
Then she checked the time.
9:12.
She had eighteen minutes to reach the medical office.
Her phone vibrated.
A message from Rachel appeared.
Thank you for clarifying. We look forward to meeting you.
Simone smiled.
It was a small smile, but it was real.
Then another notification appeared.
It was from Beverly.
If you choose that job, don't expect me to keep your room waiting.
Simone stared at the message.
Her room.
The small bedroom upstairs with the old wooden dresser, the faded curtains, and the photograph of her high school graduation.
The room she had never been allowed to redecorate because Beverly insisted there was no point spending money on something temporary.
Simone typed a reply.
I'll talk to you later.
She deleted it.
She typed again.
I'm going to my interview. Dad has the shift covered.
This time, she sent it.
Then she called a rideshare.
At 9:28, she walked into the medical office.
Rachel greeted her at the reception desk. She was in her forties, wearing a navy blazer and carrying a tablet.
"Simone Carter?""
"Yes. Thank you for seeing me.""
"Come on in.""
The interview lasted thirty-five minutes.
Rachel asked about scheduling, customer service, managing difficult situations, and handling confidential paperwork.
Simone answered honestly.
When Rachel asked why she wanted to leave her current position, Simone paused.
"I've spent most of my adult life helping my family's business. I've learned a lot there. But I'm ready to build something of my own.""
Rachel nodded.
"That makes sense.""
At the end, she smiled.
"I think you have the experience we're looking for. We'll contact you by Wednesday.""
Simone thanked her and stepped outside.
She had no job offer yet.
No guarantee.
But she had shown up.
And that mattered.
When she returned to the diner later that afternoon, she found Darnell sitting alone at the counter.
His shirt was damp with sweat, and a dish towel hung over his shoulder.
He looked exhausted.
"How did it go?""
Simone placed her folder on the counter.
"I think it went well.""
He smiled.
"That's my girl.""
She leaned over and hugged him.
Then she noticed something unusual.
The kitchen door was closed.
And Beverly's purse was gone.
"Where's Mom?""
Darnell's smile faded.
"She went upstairs.""
"Is she angry?""
He looked at his daughter.
"She's not angry about the interview, Simone.""
"Then what?""
Darnell hesitated.
"She's angry because I told her something she didn't want to hear.""
Simone sat down.
"What did you tell her?""
Darnell looked toward the staircase.
"That I won't keep asking you to sacrifice your future to save this business.""
Before Simone could respond, a loud bang came from upstairs.
Then Beverly's voice echoed through the ceiling.
"YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU'VE DONE!""
Darnell closed his eyes.
May you like
Simone looked up.
And suddenly, she wondered what her mother had been hiding all along.
