Stepping out of the car onto a pile of snow with tiny flakes settling on everything in sight, Reynolds adjusted his frock coat and tugged at his head warmer, checking to see if they were still in place. The cold hit him hard; having spent the past two years in Cairo, he hadn't prepared for the chill awaiting him in New York. The sun lazily cracked the sky but offered no warmth.
"Like the English sun in winter, this sun shines but never warms," he muttered under his breath as he reached for the car door. Reynolds preferred to open doors himself, so he had instructed his chauffeur, Louis, not to assist him unless absolutely necessary. His chauffeur respected this without question.
"What did you say, sir?" Louis asked from the driver's seat.
"Just a remark on the weather, Louis. Nothing to concern yourself with," Reynolds replied dismissively. Louis started the car, and they navigated through bustling streets toward his home.
Reynolds tried to reconcile the New York he remembered from childhood visits with the transformed cityscape before him. He had spent years away—from San Francisco for high school, then France, and finally Cairo, where he'd enjoyed the sun and embraced its dryness, becoming deeply tanned. Now, returning to his father's house after twelve years, he felt a mix of nostalgia and uncertainty about the changes.
"A lot has changed in New York, Louis. Haven't set foot here in twelve years, and everything seems different. Can't even spot my favorite waffle houses or kebab spots."
"So it is, sir. A lot has changed indeed," Louis agreed, and they rode in silence until reaching Reynolds' home. The remodeled house looked nothing like he remembered, but he found himself pleased by the new appearance. The mansion was now ultra-modern and it fit his taste perfectly.
Ascending the steps to the terrace, Reynolds was greeted promptly by the butler, Charles, before he could ring the doorbell. Louis followed with his bag, smiling at every opportunity—everyone seemed glad to have him back. Reynolds was surprised to find the familiar domestic staff from his childhood still serving his father; they seemed almost unchanged by time.
The cook, Imelda Clinton, greeted Reynolds with her usual ebullience, wearing her apron as always.
"Welcome home, Mr. Reynolds! It's been far too long," Imelda exclaimed, her voice warm and familiar.
Remarkably, she hadn't aged a day, still donning the same colored apron Reynolds remembered from his childhood.
"Imelda, you haven't changed a bit," Reynolds chuckled, a smile spreading across his face as he embraced her warmly.
Imelda had a habit of always being in her apron, unwavering regardless of circumstances. Their reunion brought happiness; Reynolds anticipated enjoying Imelda's delicious homemade meals, which never failed to satisfy his palate.
Hardly settled into his room, Reynolds received a call from his father, who had just returned from a business meeting in South Carolina, vehemently lamenting the absence of a competent representative in his absence. Reynolds listened patiently as his father vented his frustrations.
When the old man returned, Reynolds was tense. He didn't know what to say to a father he hadn't seen in four years. Fortunately, the old man made it easy for him, enveloping him in an embrace and shedding a few tears.
"I'm glad you're back, son. You rascal, why stay away from home so long?"
Reynolds contemplated explaining his independence and career demands but opted for a simpler response. "I've been busy, Father. But I'm here now, just as you wanted."
His father smiled, a rare sight outside their occasional video calls. "Tomorrow, you'll resume work. Since Cheng left for China, the headquarters here in New York has lacked a competent leader. Next week, I'll retire and you will be the next Ceo."
***
The first time Alicia had to wait tables and run errands for Mr. Ford, the bar owner downtown in New York, she despised every moment of it. The leering stares of men and the foul mixture of cigarettes and gin nauseated her. She loathed everything about the job, especially when one man at the bar brazenly offered her $50 to spend the night with him. Her anger blazed, and she shot him a threatening glare before storming off. The man watched her leave in silence. Despite the discomfort, Ford paid her well that day, compensating for her pains and troubles. She returned home with a pounding headache and sore feet from wearing flats all day.
"Where's Tony?" she asked Helen the moment she entered their two-bedroom apartment, where she shared a room while Tony had one to himself. Helen sat at the dining table, absorbed in her notebook. She was the bookworm of the apartment, eagerly anticipating college.
"He left early this morning with Josh and Pete before you got back," Helen replied without lifting her eyes from her book.
"Did he mention where they were going with those troublemakers? I told him to steer clear of them."
"I guess you did. It's a shame he never listens to anyone around here," Helen sighed, finally looking up and smiling at Alicia, tucking stray hair behind her ears.
"Let's not dwell on Tony now. It'll ruin our mood. How was work? Was it really as easy as Lucy said it would be?" Helen inquired.
Alicia scoffed, "There's no such thing as an easy job out there. But the pay made it worthwhile. I'll stick to night shifts so I can do something productive during the day. Oh, and Lucy's working at McDonald's now!"
Helen's eyes widened in surprise. "Lucy? Wow, that's unexpected. Good for her!"
Alicia chuckled softly. "Right? Life's full of surprises. Anyway, I better get ready for tonight's shift."
Helen was momentarily taken aback but quickly resumed her scribbling.
Lucy and Ruth had been Alicia's friends for as long as Helen could remember. The trio used to do everything together when they were younger and still had their parents. Now, Ruth lived in London while Lucy worked as a chef at McDonald's. It was a lot for Helen to process.
Alicia hadn't found a steady job yet. She had quit her previous job due to inadequate pay and a denied raise, despite her significant contributions to various sectors within the company. She often mentioned the high cost of living in New York and sought a job that could provide a decent life and savings for all three of them. Now unemployed, she was contemplating job offers from San Diego or Dakota but decided to remain in New York a bit longer, hopeful for better opportunities. With her savings depleted and rent overdue to the landlady, Alicia was determined to find a solution.
As Alicia stepped into the tub, she recalled the threatening notice from the landlady just two days ago, demanding rent payment within the next two weeks or she would be evicted. She had no idea how she would raise the money. Perhaps she could ask Mr. Ford for a loan, although the idea seemed daunting since she had just started working at his place. What if he found it amusing and demanded interest or worse if she couldn't repay?
She shuddered at the thought. Bills were mounting. Helen had been accepted by three colleges, and they needed funds for her education. Tony, having dropped out of college due to difficulties, had briefly found a good job until a mistake cost him his position. Now, they were back to square one. Alicia worked tirelessly to ensure they had groceries and essentials, but the rent was now their greatest concern.
She planned to take on another day job before her evening shift at Ford's, which typically ended by 1 am. She had been generous enough to help clean up the bar until 6 am before heading home in a cab, her head pounding and feet aching. Things couldn't get much harder.