Was that supposed to be a compliment? Focus, Amabel!
But to hear that made me smile anyway. I felt even more proud of myself. "You are everything I'm looking for in a PA. I tell you what, we work out a schedule based on your classes and exams and then the rest of the time, you come to work? Mmm?"
"Wait, what? You're giving me the job?"
Mr. Walker laughed and held his tummy. He stood up and said, "Well, of course. Wasn't I clear enough? When can you start?"
"Uh, how does tomorrow sound?"
Mr. Walker blew out a deep breath of relief to hear that I accepted the offer. "Tomorrow is perfect! Uhm, you'll need to bring your schedule so we can plan the time you're here and when not. You would be helping me and Ella. Poor thing! I think she's drowning in paper work. Haha."
I laughed too. I liked the feeling of laughing. It made me feel good. "Thank you so much, Mr. Walker. I will never be able to thank you enough. Is there something else that I would need?"
He looked around as if seeking answers from the objects around him. "Uh... Oh, right. Lunch. You'll need to bring your own lunch, but coffee and other things are free. And there is no official dress code. I want everyone who works with me to feel comfortable. But, still neatly."
Mr. Walker was a good person. He never used the words that people worked for him. They worked with him. That he doesn't think that he is more important.
"Then, I'll see you tomorrow, Mr. Walker. Seven-thirty sharp. I'll be early. I don't like being late."
He chuckled and opened the door for me. I smiled at him one last time before walking confidently across the counter. "And?" Ella asked.
"I'll see you tomorrow, seven-thirty sharp," I answered with a smile and a wink.
"You got the job!" Ella ran from out the counter and hugged me. We jumped around in a circle, still hugging and shrieking loudly. "Wait, you need to give me some of your information for a security clearance card to enter the building." I stayed there for another hour, giving all the necessary information to have my employee card laminated. Once it was done, I felt so unbelievably good. I got a job! I can start paying off the debt my mom and I owe. Mom! I got the job!
Back at the apartment...
"Hey! How was your day with your dad?" I asked as I came inside and put my keys on the counter just on the left of Gwen's view. Gwen was in her pajamas watching TVD. She couldn't get enough of that show. Gwen didn't answer.
I walked over and scooted myself on the couch next to my friend. "What happened?" I asked as I took the remote and paused the episode. Gwen sighed and laid her head on my shoulder.
"My dad and I got into a huge fight... Let's just say that his way is the only way, even if my way is a better way. Maybe someday when I take over as CEO of all his companies, maybe then I'll have a say, unless he still controls it from the grave..."
I laughed and then it turned into a sigh. I know the pain she's in. Struggling with my mom and her not taking the medication and treatment she needs, pained me more than the mere thought of my mother dying.
"So, how was the interview?"
I didn't want to say anything. I didn't want Gwen to feel bad when we both couldn't share happy news. Part of how we work is to share good news together and the bad news.
"Amabel? How did it go with the interview?" She noticed my silence and thought that something terrible must have happened. I would make an excellent actress for hiding what I feel, when I feel it and how I deal with it.
"We share good and bad news together... We can talk when both of us are happy..."
Gwen sat up straight and looked at me as if torturing me to just tell her what she already knows. Gwen even started pretending to chew on the side of her mouth to show her impatience. I kept her eyes on the television and replied with a dry voice, "I got the job."
Gwen jumped on the couch and cheered. "What! You got the job?! Wait," she said trying to figure out if I was telling the truth and continued, "did you?"
Mysmile appeared slowly like a sloth trying to smile, jumped up and shouted,"I got the job!" Gwen grabbed me in a huge hug as we jumped on the couch in circles.