Amy

Amy was good with lists, and when her alarm clock rang in the still dark morning, before she could put her feet on the floor, she was already building one in her mind. Sitting on the edge of her bed she thought "Shower, dress, Billy, breakfast, laundry, work." In the shower "Billy" became "Wake up 1, make lunch, wake up 2, shower, dress, breakfast, Mom." She would try to get her little brother up, washed, and fed to give her mother a little more time to sleep in. Billy had the same bee stung features as she did, a bulbous nose and heavy red lips, with a long face and pointy chin. Billy was autistic and would fixate on objects or tasks, it took a gentle prodding to help him along. They ate breakfast together and she listened to Billy's plans for the day, smiling down at him. He told her he liked her peace sign earrings, and she left for work.

On her drive in "Work" became "Coverage, tables, beverage station, salad station, kitchen, backup, hostess." Amy was a waitress to give her mornings off. She had tried working in an office but hated leaving her mom and brother so early in the day. She told them she would take a job with more flexible hours and go back to school, but that had been sixteen months ago and she still hadn't enrolled. She moved through her list like a stiff wind, she had check everything off before the doors would open for lunch, and there would be no time to roll silverware or cut lemons. Amy was a Patton in the restaurant, her brutal logic ruled all and the girls were told to copy her habits. During service she would look over her section, mentally tallying "drinks, napkins, aps, clear, entree, clear, check," taking short loaded steps in each direction, pivoting like a basketball player until the room was cleared to her satisfaction. The Guatemalan's in the kitchen teased that she was doing her 'cha-cha' again.

Amy's mother worried that she spent too much time looking after her little brother, worked too hard, and never saw people her own age. She always pulled her hair back in a volleyball ponytail, and wore yellow polo shirts and khaki pants. On her days off Amy would take Billy out, asking him which necklaces he liked best in bohemian jewelry stores on the beach. He always picked out symbols of esoteric religions, sigils wishing Amy a calm spirit and fulfilled life. She wore them to work with the turquoise bracelet he picked out for her birthday present, and the small puzzle piece tattooed on her wrist.