Escaping Parker - F.T. Zele Page 0,57

the right side of the road. A small red sign in the corner of a window catches my eye. Help Wanted. I hesitate, thinking that they need someone with experience, something I really do have, but can’t mention.

On a whim, I walk through the doors. The office bustles with more employees than I’d expect, zipping around like well-oiled machines. The vibe is great, and I walk to the reception desk, where a woman in her twenties multitasks, answering phones, looking things up on her computer, and shuffling papers.

She holds up her index finger while she finishes her conversation. I wait there, doubts swirling in my brain. I start to feel intimidated, something that doesn’t settle well with me as I know what I’m capable of doing.

“Hi, ma’am, can I help you?” the woman says in a perky voice.

“Yes, hi. I’m Parker. I saw the help wanted sign in the window and thought I’d see if the position has been filled yet,” I say in a rush.

“I don’t think so, but let me ask the owner. Give me a minute.” She disappears into the last office on the left, reappearing seconds later. “You are in luck. It hasn’t been filled yet. Let me grab you an application.” She rifles through a drawer and withdraws a form. “Can you fill it out right now? The owner, Tim, said he has a few minutes to talk, if you’d like.” She tucks her hair behind her ear and looks at me expectantly.

“Yes, of course. Thank you.” I take the paper from her and search my purse for a pen. I struggle to answer all these questions to the best of my knowledge, leaving some things unanswered: past employment history, references, and previous addresses. I do the best I can, now doubtful that not being able to answer these questions might ruin my chances at ever getting a job.

A tall gentleman in casual clothes walks up to me and immediately extends a hand. “I’m Tim, and you are?” he asks.

I quickly rise, smoothing my pants. “My name is Parker.”

“Well, let’s go back to my office and talk about the position I have open.” He ushers me back to his office.

Once in his office, I hand him the application and take a seat in a brown ladder-back chair.

“So, Parker, how did you hear about the job?” His taps a pen on the desk as his eyes scan my application.

“I saw the sign in your window when I was exploring the area. I just recently moved here.”

“Where from?” he asks.

I rack my brain trying to remember what Andrew had put on the paper he gave me, but I don’t remember. “The West Coast,” I blurt out, and once I say it, I feel so stupid.

“Do you have family out here?” He sounds generally interested.

“No, I just need a change of pace and a fresh start.”

“Well, welcome to Lockwood. So let me tell you about the position I have open right now. I don’t know if it’s something you will really be into, but there’s room for some growth. We consider our employees family, and we like to promote from within the company. Right now, I need someone to clean up around here, empty the trash cans, clean up the kitchen area, vacuum, and get the office ready for the next day.”

I have no room to be picky at this point. Even though it’s not my ideal job, I know this is starting over.

I nod. “Ok, what are the hours, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“Twelve to six, Monday through Friday. It’s not quite full-time. Believe me, I know it’s not the ideal job, but we really need someone.”

“No, it’s fine. Like I said, I just moved here and am looking for anything right now.” I’m definitely interested.

“So, you don’t have any references down here, or previous employers. Can I ask why?”

“Ummm . . . I used to be self-employed, but what I can tell you is that I’m a really hard worker. I need a job, and I won’t let you down. I’ve been working for as long as I can remember. I babysat as a kid, and I graduated early and put myself through college. I promise if you hire me, you won’t ever have to worry about this job getting done.”

“If you have a degree, why do something for which you’re overqualified?” Tim leans back, linking his fingers behind his head.

“Well, I don’t look at it like that. I look at it as a job,