Page 10 of The Road Home
"There isn't one. It's all there in black and white. You must maintain employment and pay rent monthly. We have jobs available, but if you find another job elsewhere, that is fine. We will just have to verify your employment before you move in."
"I'd need a job." Orson met her stare across the desk. "I was actually hoping there would be something I could start sooner." It was still three weeks before the program would start, and he wanted to get things moving faster if he could.
"I don't have anything available right now, but Mondays are when the companies who work with us call in and let us know of their needs. Do you have any skills?"
"Nothing professional, but I've done labor, stocking, and a bunch of other random things. I'm willing to take anything."
She nodded as she made notes on the file in front of her. "Can I see your ID to get your information?"
He slid the small pouch out of his sock and handed the ID to her.
"How much longer will you be in the cast?" She glanced at his arm.
"Three more weeks." He prayed it didn't keep him from getting a job. He'd cut the damn thing off if it meant he could get work.
"Any other limitations or injuries we need to know of?"
"None."
"Good." She handed back his driver's license. "Now, I don't want you to get your hopes up. We are being very picky about who we allow into this new program. One of the ways we are weeding those out who might not belong is we are asking everyone who is applying to come and check in with me once a week. We will be doing weekly drug testing also. Plus, we will run a check to make sure you haven't been arrested recently or had any negative interaction with the police."
"That won't be an issue." Orson meant every word. He didn't use drugs, he had no issues checking in, and he would do everything he could do not deal with the police. "I'll do whatever I have to so I can get a job."
"Well, we are being picky, but I've got your name on the list. If you want to check back in with me on Monday afternoon or Tuesday morning, I'll know if any of my contacts are hiring, but I wouldn't get my hopes up. Only one or two positions come open a month. Just be patient and things will come around. When the new projects start next month, there will be opportunities. It's up to you to check in here once a week and let me know you're still interested in an apartment. Does a certain day work better than another for you?"
"Um, not really, but how about Monday afternoons so I can check on jobs too?" Orson asked.
"That will work. Check in with me or Darren. He's two offices down. One of us is always here. Make sure you see us write down that you checked in. Our files are what we will use to pick who gets placement." She closed the folder. "The key is to keep showing interest. We need to see a commitment on your part."
"I'm happy to do that. I just want a chance to work and get myself off the streets. I can't do this anymore." Orson sighed.
Celeste looked at his arm. "No, I don't blame you. It's not a friendly place." She raised her gaze back up to his. "I'll do what I can, but with so many in need it's hard."
"I know, and I don't blame you. You're just doing your job. You're giving me a chance and that is more than I've had before now." Orson stood and offered his hand. "Thank you."
"No problem. Take care of yourself until I see you again." She smiled as he walked out the door.
Once back on the sidewalk, Orson took a deep breath. It was hard not to get his hopes up. Everything she said sounded so perfect, but she was right, there were hundreds of people who needed help. Nothing made him any more important than the others. All he could do was check in and keep his fingers crossed that somehow things might go his way.
With nothing more to do, he headed back to the storage unit, hoping Harry would be there. Maybe he would have some ideas of places he could apply for work. If they were close and would hire someone homeless, maybe he'd have a better chance at getting an apartment because he already had a job. One way or another, he was going to change things. Three years of this shit was enough.
