Stephanie wiped tables, savoring the quiet of the afternoon in the diner she’d called home for six years. Today was her last day. After years of hard work, she’d finally saved enough money to pursue her dreams—a small step, with an acceptance letter from a community college in the big city.
Coming from a modest background, college hadn’t been an option after high school. Instead, she’d taken this job, saving every tip with discipline and patience. Now, at twenty-six, her dream was within reach, her ticket out of this small town finally in hand.