Page 3 of Play of Love
“Still want the job?” Zelda asked.
“I need it,” was all I could say, because I did. There wasn’t a question about it. I needed this job, and that was the end of any contemplation for me.
“Well honey, I appreciate that, but if he grabs your ass you run like hell. No job is worth the hassle and stress that this man can cause. I just didn’t want you walking in on this blind eyed.”
“Okay.” I brought my hands together and pressed on my nails. This didn’t sound good at all, but Ihadto do it. It was a necessity, and I couldn’t see any other way of getting the funds I needed.
Mom had been sick for a very long time. I was originally from Atlanta. I’d lived there with Mom and Tristan, my brother, before college.
Mom had always had heart problems, probably because of all the time spent working so hard to support Tristan and I.
Particularly after Dad walked out on us. I was eight at the time and Tristan was five. Mom had a part-time job at our school as a receptionist, but Dad walking out heralded the need to grab another two jobs and move to a trailer park to keep our family going. It was a really rough time and the years of harshness took its toll. The week before Christmas last year I got a call from the hospital in Atlanta letting me know that Mom had a severe heart attack and was in intensive care. Then I got hit with the news that Mom’s insurance company wouldn’t cover the cost of surgery because she’d lowered her plan to the outpatient package. A way of saving money.
I had to use all my savings, everything I’d built up to go to L.A. It was everything I had, but that was only enough to cover the cost of a temporary fix to keep her going.
Mom got a stent placed in her coronary artery to keep it open and reduce the chance of another heart attack. Had she gotten the stent sooner it would have helped her out a lot, but the years of non-treatment and lack of care deteriorated her heart significantly and what she needed was a triple bypass.
That was why I was here, and why I couldn’t run like hell if Mr. Mancini so chose to grab my ass.
“You sure you’re okay?” Zelda asked, eyeing me with concern.
“Yes, you can count on me. I’m a strong person.”
“Alright, well here is the job specs with your duties. As discussed, your first task is to get Mr. Mancini to the ESPN show. We’ll deposit the twenty-grand bonus into your account then, and the rest will follow in a few months if you can get him ready for training.” The show was in a few days short of three weeks. I was sure I’d be fine. “For your sake, I hope you’ll last the week. These are the keys to his house. That is where you’ll work. We need you there nine to five, later for events as required. If you need anything call me. Ifheneeds anything call me. Best of luck.”
“Thank you. I appreciate it.”
“Just remember what I said,” Zelda warned.
I nodded and fixed my red beret back onto my head. It was very unlikely i would forget Zelda’s warning.
Well, here’s to my first day of this job.
I was sure I was in for a very interesting day.
.
