I winced. I hated when she brought up that nightmare. “Fine.” I held out my hand. She doused it with disinfectant, and then covered the cut in a clear liquid bandage.

“There.” She brushed a kiss against my forehead before getting back to work.

I silently loaded three omelets and a basket of biscuits from the warmer to my tray and shoved through the swinging door. Today would be over eventually, and soon, I’d be light-years away from here. Until then, I’d hang in.

Mr. Creeptastic waved me over as I served the food to another table, but I pretended not to notice. I had at least five minutes until his food was ready, and I planned to respectfully ignore him until then.

I strode through the kitchen, waved at Mom, and went out the back door. I’d already taken everyone’s orders so everything would be fine for a few, but I needed a break. I really, really needed a break.

I leaned against the brick building and stared out at the mostly abandoned train cars. There was a family living in one, but none of them were in use anymore. At least I didn’t have it that bad. Not anymore. And even if the last few days had been exceptionally stressful, things were going to get a whole lot better.

I tried to let that thought relax me, but then I started thinking about what life would be like on Sel’Ani and my mind started spinning. So, I quickly gave up on relaxing, pulled up my messages. I had one unread from Roan.

How’re you doing today?

I typed a quick reply. Better. Just want today to be over.

I’d only been working at the historic Route 66 diner for five years, but it’d been around for centuries. Working here, with the vidscreens decorating the walls, showing how Albuquerque used to be before the Spaceport made me miss a past I never knew. Life seemed simpler then. Not to mention easier. I used to watch screens and think maybe it could get better—easier—here, but it never did. Now I just wanted today to be done, so that we could leave.

My finger burned, and a floating bubble appeared in my vision. I swiped to the left, and Roan’s face popped up. With one tap, I accepted the call.

“Hey.” Roan’s voice came through the tiny device I kept clipped to my ear. “How are you hanging in?”

“I’m fine.” I lied and then felt instantly terrible about it. “It’s been a long day, and it’s only just started.”

“You look like you’re doing okay though.” He kept it vague because we never knew if someone was listening in, but the worry in his voice was thick.

“Order up,” Mom said through the door.