At two thirty, I sneak to the back, clock out, and head to pick up Emily before Kevin can complain. The fellow employees hate him just as much as I do, but they’re in the same position as me. They can’t afford to lose their jobs, so they take it, making Kevin think it’s okay to talk to us and treat us this way. Maybe we should stand up to him, make him realize he can’t.
When I pick up Emily after school, the whole way home she tells me about the new girl at school from California.
“She talks different, Mama. Even dresses in all black. Is that normal for people there?”
“It might be. I’ve never been there. Just make her feel welcome, baby. She’ll need friends to help her adjust.”
When we get back to Damon’s, I scan the paper, seeking to discover something that will work. I found an ad for a receptionist, but it doesn’t include the hours or pay. It’s worth a shot since I have experience, and anything is better than dealing with Kevin any longer than I have to.
I punch the number to the office into my phone and hit the call button. It rings a few times before a lady picks up.
“Good afternoon, thank you for calling Grapevine High School. This is Harper.”
“Hello, do you know if the receptionist position is still open?”
“Yes, ma’am. In fact, he’s doing some interviews today. Could you swing by around four thirty?”
“I’ll be there.”
A squeak escapes. I might actually get the hell away from Kevin. That is a blessing in and of itself. But wait... who would watch Emily? She couldn’t go with me, but how unprofessional would that be.
Me: Will you be home at normal time?
This isn’t something I’d normally ask anybody to do because it’s my responsibility, but this could be monumental for us. I trust him with her, and we already stay in the same house. They will probably sit around watching TV in my absence anyway.
Damon: Yes. Everything okay?
Me: Got a lead on a job. Wants me there at four thirty.
Damon: Say no more. You can take my car.
Now that Emily is taken care of, what the hell am I going to wear? After the fire, I don’t have much. Rummaging through my suitcase, the only thing I really have is black dress pants and a white blouse. That will have to do for now. There is not enough time to walk to the thrift store to buy anything else.
“Where you going, Mama?” she asks, looking over my outfit. “You look pretty.”
“I might be getting a different job, sweetie.”
I hope this goes well, and maybe even pays a little more than the supermarket did. Anything to get ahead of where we are. I am sick of taking two steps backward all the time. I’m just waiting for my big break.
The front door opens, and he tosses me the keys. “Good luck. We’ll be fine. They will be lucky to have you.”
The business is only fifteen minutes away, and I make it early to fill out an application. I have experience from a couple years ago, before accepting the supermarket job.
When I turn it in, they request me to stick around to talk to someone. Nervously, I play with my thumbs until a man comes out and calls my name. It has been a while since I did an interview, and I hope I don’t tank it. Deep breaths.
He takes me back to his office and begins asking basic interview questions, which help me calm down, knowing I’ve been asked these same ones a million times.
“Your experience makes you a good fit. May I ask why you are wanting to leave your current job?” Lex asks.
I didn’t prepare for that question, even though it’s valid, but I can’t tell him the truth about the way my boss treats us. “The hours aren’t the best, and I really need better pay.”
There are more questions about the software I’ve used, a basic typing test, and then it’s almost over.
“One last question... Are you able to work nine to three?”
A smile takes over my face. “Yes, I just have to be off to pick up my daughter from school. So that would be ideal.”
“Could you start tomorrow?” he asks. “I know you typically are supposed to give a two-week notice at a prior job, but we are really struggling right now. If you need two weeks, I’ll understand.”