Coma (Paranormal Romance) by Lilly Mance Read Free Book Online Page A

their orders, I wrote them down, and went back to
the bartender, feeling kind of good about myself. I broke the ice!
Meeting Jake's cold expression wiped the grin off of my face,
though. Not your friendliest bartender , I thought. Moments
later, he filled my tray with drinks, and second test had begun.
Lifting it of the bar without spilling the darn thing all over.
Wow, it was heavy! I had to carry it with both hands, but I managed
to get it to my friend's table without making a mess. Good thing I
already knew what each of them liked to drink, because I would have
been in trouble if I had to remember who ordered what. I made a
mental note to pay attention to that next time.
    Several other tables went smoothly, and I was
thankful to Maya and the gang for coming. If it weren't for them, I
would have failed. Now, Mr. Thompson, the manager, congratulated me
on passing the test and becoming one of Mario's team members. I was
starting first thing in the morning. It was time to call Mom.
She'll be thrilled that I got the job.
    After phoning Mom, I went to join my friends.
As I was walking over, Maya mouthed silent “you got it?” and I
nodded. The entire table stood up and cheered. They all patted my
back as I was sitting down, and congratulated me on my first
job.
    “I owe you guys,” I confessed.
    “For what?” Brad asked, putting his arm
around Maya.
    “For being here. You have no idea how much it
meant to me,” happiness and pride filled my chest.
    “Nah, it's what friends do,” Helen said,
slurping the last of her smoothie.
    “I was freaking out, and seeing you all here
grounded me enough to make it through. Drinks are on me,” I
signaled Lisa to come take our order. She smiled, and came right
away.
    “Are these your friends?” She said when she
came to our table.
    “Yeah,” I grinned.
    “Good choice for table one,” she winked.
“What will it be, little one?”
    “I'll have an ice tea,” I said and looked at
others. Pride on their faces told me how lucky I was to have such
support. Priceless!.
    We stayed at Mario's longer than ever.
Although Brad and Shawn were new additions to our trio, their warm
personalities and genuine care fit right in. It didn't feel at all
awkward exposing my fears and doubts about the job in front of
them. Both of them encouraged my decision to explore this path
before college, which earned them shoulder punches from my
girlfriends. Looking at our group, I felt sadness due to their soon
departure, and the solitude of my chosen path. At the end of
summer, they'll be gone, and new faces will call Mario's their
home. Good thing Maya and Helen didn't know that adrenalin fueling
my emotions at that moment could have made me change my mind about
going to college.
    ~*~
    Mom worked graveyard shift again. I came home
from Mario's just as she was about to leave. She squeezed the soul
out of me, and her eyes watered.
    “My little working girl,” she said, caressing
my cheek. “Fresh clothes for the morning are on your bed.”
    “Aww, Mom. You didn't have to do that,” I
kissed her on the cheek.
    “Oh, yes I did! On my first day, I would have
gone out in pajamas if it weren't for my mother,” she giggled.
“Never underestimate first day jitters!” She kissed my forehead,
and was out the door.
    Adrenaline wore off, leaving me tired as
hell. I went upstairs, and crashed on the bed next to neatly folded
clothes. Fabric softener spreading from it gently lulled me into a
half dream state. My eyelids felt heavy, and I fought to keep sleep
away. Squinting, I traced the outline of a white blouse two inches
from my nose, when I heard knocking on my bedroom door.
    “Did you forget something?” I called out
thinking it was Mom.
    “May I come in?” A slightly hoarse, male
voice jolted me into high level of alertness. I cleared my throat,
and sat up, saying:
    “Sure.”
    “Congrats on getting a job,” my ghost stalker
said, closing the door behind him with a silent click.
    “Thanks, I