Page 4 of Meant for Them
The workers are starting to stare at me, and I get the impression they’re thinking of approaching me to tell me to leave again, so I beat them to the punch.
I get a block out of the way and sit on a bus shelter bench, one tucked a bit into a tree line, and try to process.
I’m not expecting to find many places that will consider hiring me, but I suppose I’m going to have to try anyway.
There aren’t even many businesses nearby that I could even consider, but I spend the day getting on and off the bus, walking everywhere possible, asking about applications. Nobody is hiring. Even the small café with a ‘now hiring’ sign in their window, apparently. Because as soon as I walked in and an employee got a whiff of me, they tore the sign down and told me the position was already filled. And then when I hid down the street after leaving, they put it back out.
Mind racing, spinning out at about a hundred thousand miles an hour, I hop on the bus one more time and zone out, barely aware enough to get off at the right stop to get to my apartment, waving to the woman in the box when I pass her.
Maybe my apartment complex needs like, a cleaner or something when people move out? Maybe I could barter rent for that?
Fuck.Cleaning.
That’s when I remember the business card that totally random dude who’s definitely nobody important gave me, and I speed walk up the stairs to my apartment, only to see a notice on the front door that the entire complex being demolished next week and we have six days to vacate the premises.
What. The. Fuck.
I smack my head against the door, tearing down the stupid paper, and I ball it up and throw it in my kitchen trash can.
It takes me a minute to remember I left the card in the jeans I was wearing yesterday, but when I dig it out, it feels way too coincidental. Why would that annoying man tell me about a job,working forhimif I’m not mistaken, right before I lost not only my job, but my apartment as well?
But…he couldn’t be responsible, right?
No, it’s just a really big coincidence. Absolutely.
They say beggars can’t be choosers, but how the hell can I not be choosy when we’re talking about working in a stranger’s home with no top on? I’ve never shown anyone my boobs. Maybe it’s negotiable.
Maybe I should just call and find out what the pay is.
It’s possible a different employment opportunity will pop up within the next few days, one that will also give me an advance so I can get a down payment together for a new apartment somewhere, but…short of moving to a totally different zip code, I don’t know how that’s going to happen.
Do I just wait a few days and hope that something pops up?
Fuck. I really don’t want to ask box lady to share her shelter.
My phone is in my hand and dialing before I can talk myself out of it, and I’m grateful that a woman answers. You have no way of knowing I was dying to hear that man’s voice again.
“Little Miss Maid Service, this is Ellie, are you looking to book services with us today?”
“Um hello, no, not quite. This is, um, well. Sorry.” I clear my throat, knowing I’m completely butchering this and hoping like hell I might still salvage a job out of it. “I was given your card yesterday, and told you might be hiring?”
The line is silent for a few minutes, and then she muffles the phone and squeals before coming back to the phone. “Can I get your name, dear?”
“Morgan Belrose.”
“Excellent. Yes, my brother told me he spoke to you and was hoping you’d call. When can you come in for an interview?”
“Well, the place I’ve been working just up and closed down, so I’m wide open.” I’m impressed at how even-keeled I sound— I bet she can’t hear my impending break down at all.
“Oh, that’s right. Okay, I’m going to text you the address, could you be here tomorrow at nine a.m.?”
It’s going to be a bitch to figure out how to get a bus that early, but I don’t really see any other options. “I can…make that work.”
“Wonderful. We’ll see you in the morning, take care now!”
I’m left staring at a blank screen after that, wondering what I’m getting myself into, but also knowing that it’s not like I have a ton of options at the moment.
Now feels like a good time for that break down.
