I didn’t want to push, but… “I’ll take anything,” I pled quietly. “Anything at all.”
“Look.” For a second she actually looked sad for me and I felt that pity like a brick to the gut. “I’m sorry, honey, but you’re out of luck.”
Out of luck.
Sigh of all sighs.
Did that saying count if you never had any to begin with?
“Well.” I let out a short breath and smiled tightly, determined to remain positive even though it physically hurt. “Thanks anyway.” I pulled my backpack up higher onto my shoulders. “See you tomorrow?” When she rolled her eyes, I laughed quietly, walking backward. I held up my hands and called back, “Kidding.”
No, I wasn’t.
I’d be back tomorrow.
As I made it out onto the sidewalk, I took in a deep breath and silently prayed for a break I knew I wouldn’t get.
No. Chance had never been on my side.
It was a shame. I could have used a stroke of luck right now.
It had been ten days since Nanna had been admitted into Glendale Memorial and, thankfully, they were willing to keep her there until I found a permanent residence for her. There were a few nursing homes I’d been to visit that were merely okay but I had my mind set on one.
St. Jude’s.
It was lovely. Spacious, bright, warm. It smelled like gentle white flowers and the staff were sweet and genuinely caring. It was everything I wanted for Nanna. A home away from home.
However, I wouldn’t be able to make that happen if I didn’t have a decently paying job. Hence my daily visits to the recruitment agency. And I just knew I would continue to bug Leah until she got sick enough of me to give me something, which said something, because I was not the pushy kind.
Holding onto my shoulder straps, I walked back down to the bus stop. Partway there my stomach rumbled loudly and I reached into my backpack to pull out a granola bar. Opening the wrapper, I took a bite, and slowed my steps as I checked the open bus schedule in my hands.
According to the timetable, I had a few minutes and it was only up the road.
Besides, who ever heard of the buses in this city running early?
When I approached the bus stop, my chewing slowed and my eyes widened as I watched a bus pull away.
Was that…?
No. It couldn’t be.
I checked the lit display above the window. My granola bar hung from my fingers, my mouth agape, and I inwardly laughed.
Sure. Of course.
Well, that was great.
Because why not?
Just great.
My eyes closed in sheer disappointment as I watched my bus glide farther and farther away from me.
Well, it seemed I did have some luck after all.
Unfortunately for me, it was of the ‘bad’ variety.
With a light huff, I sat on the bench, took out my long dark hair and ran my fingers through it before tying it into a high ponytail. I pushed my glasses up the bridge of my nose before squinting into the sunlight. The morning sun felt like a balm on my soul and closing my eyes, I took a deep breath in then let it out slowly.
What else could go wrong?
I had more than an hour before the next bus and my short legs swung from the bench in annoyance. I frowned to myself. This finding a job gig was harder than I thought. Don’t get me wrong—I didn’t expect miracles, but I expected something. And so far, all I got was bupkis.
So when I focused my squinting eyes on a building across the street, my brows lowered in disbelief.
MAX Talent and Recruitment.
Hello there.
For an insane second, I actually thought about going in there.
But… was it bad form to put your resume into one recruitment agency while waiting on another to find you work?
Perhaps it was, but I was running out of ideas here.
I mean, really, what could it hurt?
At the end of the day if Leah called me, I’d race back there in a heartbeat. She’d never even have to know.
I was on my feet before I could talk myself out of it. Looking both ways, I ran across the road, my denim backpack slapping me on the lower back with every step I took. I was a little sweaty and I could feel the rosy flush in my cheeks, so I paused and took a moment, licked my lips, and then put my hands to the glass and pushed the door open.