Read Love's Illusions: A Novel for Free Online Page A

reason. “I just moved into the neighborhood. I’m a college student – I go to school during the days, and need to find a job that allows me to work at night, so I thought a cocktail waitress job would be perfect.”
    He continued his pleasant smile and asked a few other basic questions. Where did I go to school, did I have any experience, could I work till 4 am, and did I have an ID, were as extensive as they went. I explained that I was finishing my second year at SAIC, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago; I had never served drinks before, but was sure I could do the job; and yes, I had identification – I lived only three blocks away so the hours would be perfect since most of my classes didn’t start until later in the day.
    “You’re wearing a wedding ring – are you married?”
    “Ahhh… yeah,” I replied looking down and fingering my ring. I had forgotten I was still wearing it.
    “Is your husband alright with you working in a bar?” Charlie asked. “He’s not the jealous type is he? I don’t need anyone coming in here and causing trouble because some dude is flirting with you, ya know.” Lifting my head, but still playing with my platinum gold ring, I told him that we were separated, and my husband now lived in Boston.
    That same grin he had less than ten minutes before in the doorway came back onto his face, and after pressing his lips tightly together… again… for a few seconds, said, “This is going to be interesting. Want to start tonight?”
    Rather shocked by the suddenness of his decision, I took a deep breath and exclaimed, “Yes!”
    “Good,” Charlie said, “Come back at eight o’clock – tell whoever’s at the door to bring you to see me, and I’ll introduce you. Rick and Levi, they’re the bar tenders, they’ll show ya the ropes and… Oh yeah… I do have two rules.” He paused as he stood up from the desk, and looked down at me squinting his eyes, his voice losing its light-hearted tone. “Break either of these and I’ll fire you on the spot.”
    My inner excitement died some as I asked, “What are they?” Trying to imagine what kind of rules a place like this could have that would be a problem.
    “First, no shooting up,” he said. “We’re trying to change, but we get a lot of dealers in here. I don’t expect you to stay straight while you’re working; as long as you can do your job, and it doesn’t cause problems, I don’t care, but I will not have a junkie working here – if I find out you’re putting needles in your arms or toes or any other part of your body, you’re gone.”
    “That’s not going to be a problem, I don’t do that,” I said, meeting his eyes straight on. “What’s the second rule?”
    Charlie continued his stern look but a smile also flickered across his face as he said, “Don’t fuck the bartenders.”
    “That’s not going to be a problem either,” I said smiling back at him.
    “Good,” he replied, “see you tonight.”
    I stood up, thanked him and was starting out the door when he said, “A couple more things Jackie.” I turned to face him again. “You may want to take off that ring – the tips will be better if you’re not wearing it, and…” lifting his eyebrows revealing a slight glint, and with a hint of mischief in his voice he continued, “I’m not a bartender.”
    Rather taken aback by this, I smiled again as best I could and answered, “I’ll keep that in mind.” I couldn’t get through the door fast enough – closing it carefully, but quickly, behind myself.
    Once out on the sidewalk, I exhaled, and leaned against the building. This was going to be interesting - thoughts started whirling around in my head – What just happened? Did I just get a new job? The Canteen looked like the armpit of the whole area – shit it was in the basement of a flop house – do I want to even go in there as a customer (if they’d let me in the door that is), let alone work there? What did Charlie mean by