I didn’t tell Grandma or Chris that I had lost my job. I did not want to see the looks of disappointment and the sad looks that they would offer me. I did not want their pity and I did not want grandma pulling any strings to get me a job. I did not want to feel any more indebted to her than I already did.
In the morning, I pretended like I was still going to work. I got up early and got dressed and I dropped Chris off at practice. Once I had dropped him, I decided to go looking for a job. I was certain that someone in the town would be looking for a job and if all else failed then I had the job offer from Ian although I was hesitant to accept it. I still couldn’t understand why he chose to give me a job on the side of the road.
I drove around the entire town starting with the diner that I had seen when I first came back. I asked for a job but to my shock, they weren’t looking for one. There was only one waitress and one bartender but they were adamant that they were fully staffed. The same thing happened in two other places and if I did not know better, I would have said that someone had specifically asked them not to hire me.
After driving around aimlessly for an hour, I decided to stop by a café for a snack. I ordered a cup of coffee knowing very well that it was a luxury I could not afford but not caring and doing it anyway. I was drinking my coffee when I heard a conversation next to me that piqued my interest. One of the waitresses was talking to a customer and I couldn’t help but listen in.
“I cannot wait for there to be another server,” the waitress muttered to her friend. “I am working overtime all the time but Jenna assures us that she will start looking for someone soon.”
I quickly turned to the waitress who looked shocked by my presence. She was very pretty and looked to be younger than me. Her hair was tied up into a ponytail and she had soft features but tiredness was etched all over her skin. If I were to guess, I would have said she hadn’t slept well in a while.
“Did you just say there’s a job opening?” I asked and before she could respond, I cut in. “I just moved back into town a few days ago and I am looking for a job. I worked as a waitress and a bartender before I came here so I have some experience. Where can I apply for the job?”
She opened and closed her mouth repeatedly as if she was unsure of what to say. Her friend whispered something in her ears and I saw a look cross her face before she quickly shut it down and masked it with a practiced smile.
“I’m sorry but I was just joking around,” she began. “We aren’t understaffed. I was just ranting about my job but I’m sure you can find somewhere that is open to workers. It might be a small town but there are a lot of businesses.”
“I know but—”
“Have a nice day.”
She walked away before I could get in another word and I was left staring in absolute shock at what had just happened. When I glanced at the girl she was talking to in hopes of getting answers, the girl rushed to her feet and rushed out of the café as if someone had lit a fire under her ass. That interaction solidified my thoughts that someone had told people not to hire me and if I had to bet my money on it, I would have bet that it was Mr. Hemming.
I felt all eyes in the café on me so I slapped some money onto the counter and walked out. It had been less than two weeks and yet everything was already falling apart. I wanted to give Mr. Hemming a piece of my mind but I knew there was no point seeing as it would only solidify the image of me that he had put in the minds of the people of the town.
I was about to give up and go home when I noticed a flash of movement at the edge of the forest to my right. It was gone before I could make it out but all I was able to make out was ‘black.’ I wanted to investigate so I put my coffee in the car and grabbed my phone in case something bad was to happen.
I had gotten close to the edge of the forest when people emerged from it. The first person I saw was Darius and I was quick to hide behind a large truck so he wouldn’t see me. I saw his friends including Ian who had given me the job. They seemed to be involved in a heated conversation and I badly wanted to know what it was about. This was the second time I was going to see them in the woods and I wanted to know what they were doing in there.
“Don’t you think that was a little bit dramatic?” Ian asked Darius who ignored him. “You’re going to end up pushing her away.”
Her?
Who were they talking about? Did Darius have a girlfriend or something? And why was I so interested in hearing about the love life of a stranger?
“I don’t need your advice on the matter, Ian.” Darius’ voice held no room for discussion. “Focus on your job and leave the rest to me.”
They were coming my way and I knew I needed to hide before they saw me. I did the first thing I could think of and crawled under the car. It was very uncomfortable but I figured it was better than being caught eavesdropping.
The men walked past although they hesitated in front of the car. I was staring directly at Darius’ shoes and for a second, I was scared that he would just lean over and find me but after a second of hesitation, he walked forward as if nothing had happened.
I waited until I heard the revving of their engines before I crawled out. By the time I was done dusting off my clothes, I saw an elderly-looking man staring down at me with a raised brow. He held keys in his hand and I knew it was his car that I had just crawled out from. I could only imagine what a shock it was to him.
“I dropped my phone,” I said holding it up with an awkward smile but his frown didn’t budge.
Instead of staying there, I just turned on my heels and walked away. He wouldn’t be the first person in the town to think that I’m crazy. I didn’t let out a breath until I was in the safety of my car. Once I was seated, I reached into the glove compartment and took out the card that Ian had given me.
It was black with the name of the bar written in purple- Elusion. I twirled the piece of paper over in my hand knowing that it held my fate. I could hold off taking the job and risk someone else getting it before me and remain jobless or I could take it knowing that it was my only offer.
Before I could psych myself out, I dialed the number on the card. It rang three times before it was picked up and I hesitated before speaking. All the bravado I had built up had suddenly left my body.
“It’s rude to call someone and stay silent on the other line.”
I didn’t immediately recognize the voice on the other end of the line because of the noise in the background.
“Is this Ian?” I asked slowly and I could practically feel the moment his mood shifted into amusement.
“Have you taken my offer or are you still debating it?”
“I expect good pay,” I said trying to buy time before I made my decision. “I also expect reasonable working hours as well as decent respect. I am not going to have another employer who disrespects me.”
“Deal,” I could practically hear the humor in his voice. “Is there anything else you want or are you done with your list of demands?”
“That’s it.”
“Well then, work starts on Monday and your outfit is simple- black shorts and a short-sleeved button-up shirt. That should be easy for you to get, right?”
“I never said I was going to take the job.”
This time, Ian laughed. It wasn’t a small chuckle but rather a laugh borne out of complete amusement that had his shoulders shaking and tears leaking out of his eyes. It took him a second to catch his breath and when he did, he sighed deeply.
“I will see you on Monday, Leindra.”
Before I could get any other words out, he hung up the call leaving me in the silence of my car.