I try to apologize again, but she holds her hand up to shush me. When she walks over to the stage where Emmy is answering a question about lip stains versus lipsticks, I make my escape through the front door.

It’s bitterly cold. The sidewalks are crowded with too many people with too many bags. I weave between them, apologies trembling off my lips. I can’t hear my thoughts over the incessant ringing of bells. I’m so late. So so so late. Tonight can’t get worse.

My heel breaks on E 15th Street. I hobble down the stairs of the 14th Street subway station and limp onto the platform. I wait sixteen minutes because of a technical difficulty and get up to 77th Street just before eight o’clock. I run three blocks and rip holes in the bottom of my tights. When I run through the service entrance of the hotel, I’m already stripped out of my sweater. Elliot from maintenance blushes when he sees my bright blue bra.

Celeste comes running towards me with a pair of heels she bummed off the girl working check-in and it’s a joint effort buttoning my white shirt and tucking it into my skirt.

“I’m so late,” I say. “Has he realized?”

“Yes.”

“He’s going to fire me.”

“No, he’s not. He likes staring at your tits too much.”

“Great.”

My phone buzzes in my bag. It’s Asher. He’s called me eight times.

You seriously left?

Do you have any idea what I’m dealing with right now?

A menopausal momager from the seventh circle of hell.

I’m trying to watch Hamilton!

“Olivia.” Ivan is standing in the doorway tapping his foot. He looks at me and then at the top button of my shirt that’s undone. “Do you know where we keep our schedule?”

“Yes.”

“Do you know how to tell time?”

“Yes.”

“Then I suggest you put both talents together and arrive when your shift starts.”

“I’m sorry,” I say. “It won’t happen again.”

“Let’s hope not.”

I don’t have time to run to the bathroom to cry. I greet my first table and take their drink order. For the next four hours, I play the role of dutiful server.

When I get home, just shy of two, I search tirelessly for my keys, and when they turn up missing, I knock on the door twelve times, but Joey doesn’t answer. I slide onto the floor, too exhausted to cry.

* * *

To: Loveridge & McGowan Employee Network

Cc: Ana Loveridge-Herrera, River McGowan

From: Olivia Langley

Subject: Christmas Tree Lighting!

Tonight is the annual lighting of the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center! Loveridge & McGowan has reserved a special viewing space for you and your family to enjoy the festivities! Dress warmly and enjoy a night of holiday cheer! The show starts promptly at 8:00 p.m.!

Yours truly,

O. Langley