The male employee who offered to walk me home on day one did not take offense when I ran away from him. On the third day, he introduced himself to me again. He said his name was Mateo. He was a busboy. He comes out to clear tables after the customers leave, and he brings out things we need from the back. He is very friendly with me. I don't know why he tries so hard to be my friend, but after a few days of watching him at the restaurant and not getting any other weird vibes like I did on the first day, I started to relax around him. He is very different from Nolan. I don't know why I thought that about him. I asked Alicia about him after the second week, and she gave me a look I didn't fully understand. Then she laughed, looked across the restaurant at Mateo as he was cleaning the tables. She then explained that I am not the first female employee to ask about Mateo. But she then coyly said, "But you are the first female employee that Mateo has asked ME about." Alicia then gives me a playful tap on my shoulder.
After the third week of getting training, I started to feel like I knew what was going on. Alicia said that I was ready to start taking tables myself and that she would be watching me. She corrected me a lot, but never in front of a customer. Always, as we were standing next to the computer, putting an order in. She always gave me feedback in a way that made me feel comfortable with it. It was clear that she wanted to correct me because she wanted me to be the best. I appreciated having her around. I forgot to ask what side people wanted, or forgot the drink they ordered. Forgot to have the sauce on the side. But during the fourth week, my mistakes and corrections were fewer. I began to be in a much better mood on days that I went to work. I loved having something to do. I also loved getting my first paycheck. I saw that the money went into the bank account and almost cried. That was going to be my way out of the shelter and hopefully help me find my way back to my home. I kept my sister's betrayal in the back of my mind like a motivation for all that I was doing.
Harriet and I would do things on my days off.' Harriet had taken on the role of my tour guide in Los Angeles. We visited the Getty Museum on a free day so I could see the art of the world. It was beautiful and had such a deep, long history. One day, Harriet took me to the college she went to: the University of California, Los Angeles. We walked around the massive campus. Buildings were everywhere. I tried to imagine having so many scholars in one place. She pointed out where she took her classes, and we stopped to eat these amazing sandwiches at a deli called Fat Sal's. We spent a day at the beach. We walked around on the sand, and people watched. Every time I went out with Harriet, I saw something new. She was always ready to take me on adventures. Harriet also explained to me everything. Just like Alicia did at work, Harriet explained to me the customs and cultures of Los Angeles.
With this combination of Alicia at work and Harriet at the shelter, I watched my first month spent in the new world pass me by. I thought I would be back home by now. But it seems that my time here is going to be longer than expected. I am okay with this. I am starting to grow accustomed to Los Angeles. When I first arrived, I was scared of the large city I lived in. But I have slowly begun to carve out spots that are starting to feel like my own. It's strange how much more I am enjoying my time here when I have people to share it with. I had all the money and power back in Pergamum. But the only person who felt like home to me was Raella. And it turned out that she was not worthy of my trust.
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