Page 22 of The Virgin's Baby
I had Cher. She’d worked for three years. “I know someone!”
“Great.” She got ready to tap away on her keyboard again. “What’s the job and how long has she had it? Oh, yeah, and it is full-time, right?”
“Wrong.” I felt sick. “It’s just part-time. She’s an art major here.”
“That means she already has her own student loans, and she couldn’t sign for yours anyway. Sorry.” She did look sorry; I had to give her that. “If you find anyone else, then all you’ve got to do is come back here, and I’ll make it happen for you. Don’t forget, we have to get this all squared away before September the first.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I got up, left her small office, and went straight to the nearest ladies’ room to bawl my eyes out.
I was done. Finished. It was all over.
My dreams had been squashed.
Not one of my roommates had a car for me to borrow to get to those out-of-town interviews.
I didn’t have money to take a bus. And even if I borrowed some, then what?
Take the bus to an interview, maybe get a job, and then what?
The companies I’d seen that might hire me were in Dallas, San Antonio, and Houston. Where would I live if I got a job?
My future had always been bright; now it was as black as a moonless night. Now it was like stepping off a cliff into the deepest water on Earth. Crocodile-infested water.
Yes, it was that bad.
My feet weighed a thousand pounds as I walked back to my apartment. The sun baked my body. I didn’t care.Cook me alive, you stupid sun!
At least then I wouldn’t have to worry anymore.
If I’d been a drinker, I would’ve poured myself into a bottle and never come out. Life seemed that bleak right now.
No one had asked me to even one interview. I’d turned in seven applications, I’d made calls to each place, and was told over and over again that I was overqualified for the available position.
I told them I would do anything. Sweep. Mop. Clean toilets. You name it, I would do it. But each time the respectful answer would be ‘no’.
What was I supposed to do?
I couldn’t expect my new roommates to carry me. I couldn’t expect them to let me stay past the end of the month if I couldn’t contribute to any of the bills for the next month.
Hell, I only had enough money to buy one more week’s worth of Top Ramen.
Top Ramen!
I’d hit the bottom, and it was hard.
I found only Margo home when I got there. Of course, she was the only one there. Our other roommates had jobs!
“I’ve got great news,” she shouted as she met me at the door.
She hugged me and started jumping up and down. I didn’t join her. My shoulders slumped, my body deflated, I asked, “What is it?”
“I’ve got a job!” she shrieked.
“That’s great,” I said without a bit of sincerity. “I’m so happy for you.”
Letting me go, she stepped back to look at me. “Really? Cause you don’t seem that happy for me.”
I went to flop down on the sofa. “I am. Where did you get a job at?”
