‘You said you would up my wage. If I am part owner, then that changes a few things?’ I ask timidly, thinking I just cured my money issues in one fell swoop and the light-headed wooziness returns. I went from minimum-paid ex-waitress to club owner in less than an hour. My head can’t even dissect that yet. All the things I was close to tears over on that bench—fixed in one little Alexi Carrero sentence … Home, job, safety.

I can regret it later.

‘We can talk money ...