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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Write CONTEMPORARY FICTION (10/30/14)
Katie Murphy was quite a young lady. Everyone said so. She was the best barmaid at O'Malley's Olde Towne Tavern. Her sweet disposition and million dollar smile made her a favorite with the patrons, and her tips tallied far more money than the three other waitresses combined. She was a real Irish doll, that one.

Sam O’Malley, the proprietor of the club, had a huge crush on Katie, but she demurely brushed aside his clumsy advances in such a kind way that he wasn't hurt. That only seemed to make him adore her more. He promoted her to lead barmaid after only six months.

Of course, this made her the object of great envy with the other waitresses. Sophie, Sarah, and Chloe were sorely jealous, but Katie didn’t allow herself to be concerned about that. The only thing on her mind was making enough money to go to school and become an attorney one day. She wasn't there to win any popularity contests with the other workers.

Katie attended church every Sunday. The people at her church frowned upon her present job, but Katie knew she could make far more money at O’Malley’s than anywhere else. Katie was an honest girl with fine Christian morals, and lately God had been talking to her about seeking employment elsewhere.

One night, Katie came in early and overheard the other girls talking about her in the back room of the club.

“Katie thinks she's so hot!" Sophie said with a sneer.

“Oh, yes, Sam drools all over her." Sarah’s words dripped with contempt.

Chloe was about to open her mouth to talk, when Katie burst into the room like a mad wet hen.

“I do not think I am hot, and if Sam drools all over me, that's none of your business! In another year, I am out of here. I only work here to save my money to go to school." Katie was about to let her redheaded temper get the best of her when Sam walked through the door.

“Young ladies, if you care to keep your jobs, keep your mouths shut about Katie. That's all I have to say."

The three girls sheepishly walked out of the room. They knew they had overstepped the line with the usual jovial Sam.

Katie felt remorseful all night about what had taken place. She tried to think of a way to smooth things over with the other waitresses. She had to make them understand why she worked so hard at making as much money as she could.

Katie came from absolute poverty. Her home life was a shambles. Her mother was an alcoholic with numerous boyfriends. Katie slept on the only sofa in the one bedroom apartment, because her mother was usually entertaining her man of the moment in the other room.

Determined to make something of herself, Katie worked harder than most girls her age. She longed, more than anything, to rise above her circumstances and go to law school.

One day, the very thing she had been praying for came in the mail. Katie decided this was the right time to go to the girls and tell them the truth. That night, she found the three of them together and told them all of the reasons she tried so hard to be the best waitress.

Sophie was the first one to speak. “I'm sorry, we didn't know what you were going through."

Sarah and Chloe looked at Katie and then ran over to hug her neck. Apologies were made all around, and all four of them ended up crying.

“I've decided to leave O'Malley's. I found a job as a secretary uptown. The pay is less, but the hours are so that I can go to school at night. I’ve just received a grant for my education, and I don't have to wait until next year to enroll. In fact, I'm looking at a single room apartment uptown to rent. I have to get away from home." Katie said, in tears.

“Nonsense!" Cried Sarah. We have a four bedroom loft uptown, and we need another roommate! You can move in with us!"

So, that is how Katie, Sophie, Sarah, and Chloe came to be friends. Katie left O'Malley's, and other the three girls began receiving more tips. Sarah could even afford day classes of her own.

Katie became a public defender, and Sarah became a legal secretary. Sophie and Chloe got married and had children, but the four Irish girls are still the best of friends.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
C D Swanson 
11/08/14
Great story, wonderful wrap up.

God bless~
Toni Babcock 
11/10/14
Great job on this heartwarming and interesting story!
Helen Carr
11/10/14
You had me at Irish! I love stories like this; it is very Maeve Binchey (an amazing Irish author) in style. It was so easy to read and would very easily translate into a full novel, one which I would most gladly read.

My only "red ink" is to do with Katie's working as a barmaid.I found myself asking so many questions around this; what were her emotions towards the job and her mother's alcoholism? Did Katie have a choice? Did she use her role to prevent others from becoming like her mother? Did her mother exploit her daughter emotionally and in other ways connected to this job? Wow, there is so much that could be developed in this! (Not the least of which is, does she finally fall in love with the delightful Sam?! Yep, I'm a hopeless romantic!).

I hope you don't mind my essay here; I think this has been my favourite story so far for this week's theme, really very well done. :-D Blessings, Helen.