Colour. Part 14

Lauren looked me up and down. “You look like shit.”

“Thanks,” I said, tying my hair back. It was all knotty and far too long, but whatever. I’d been holding off on getting a haircut, but I didn’t have to worry about it now that my bank account was flush.

“Come on, Johanna. Pull yourself together.”

Lauren walked off to wait on an elderly guy that had just been seated, so I couldn’t say something catty back. I hated it when people told me to “pull myself together”, as if I was scattered pieces of a ceramic bowl somebody carelessly knocked over, or tossed clothing all over the bedroom floor. If only it would be that easy.

Somebody sat in a booth in my section and I sighed, trying to put my game face on. I was never enthusiastic at work like some of the other waitresses, but I was pleasant. That was the best I could do, and usually people preferred that, especially people who came there.

I pulled my pad out without looking at the man flipping through his me