One will say good things come to those who wait but I have waited for too long.
I am James. James Black. My name sure sounds like a rich mogul's but I'm far from that.
"Hey you, I don't remember hiring you for today's job. What's your name." A huge dark man asked.
"It's James Black." I replied.
"Wheesh…fancy name you've got there…" he teased and opened his book to scan through.
"Yeah…" I responded calmly. I silently prayed he lets me do this job. I was out of cash.
"Nah, man, I didn't hire you. I only got room for ten men." He said while shaking his head.
I knew he wouldn't find my name there. The thing is, I had heard that there was a search for people who will help clean up a warehouse and I went in for selection but somehow, I didn't qualify to join the cleaning crew.
So I did the only thing I could do, which was showing up here this morning like I was one of the crew members, hoping that there would be need for an extra hand.
"Isn't there a way to slot in my name?" I asked the huge guy.
"Nah man, we have the exact number of people who were hired and that's what we need to get the job done." He said.
"Please…I really need some cash, if you let me in, I'll give you fifty percent of the money I earn today." I persuaded him more.
"Uh uh, are you down that bad? You really want to get in huh?" He asked and I nodded, yes.
"Hmm, let me see what I can do. Let me talk to my brother. He owns this place. Give me a minute, I'll be right back." He said and headed into the warehouse.
After a few minutes, I saw the huge guy walking back to my direction, anxiety crept its way into my mind.
"Hey man, I just spoke to my brother. He says you can work with the other guys but you won't be paid the same amount as them. This is because he already had a budget which he's working on, and hiring you is stretching that budget which is already tight." He said to me
"Oh, that's not a problem. I'll work without minding the pay." I responded swiftly, not giving him any chance to change his mind.
"You should ask how much the pay is first, before agreeing to work." He said to me, Logically speaking, he was right but I wasn't being logical at this moment. I just needed to put some food in my stomach.
"That's not a problem either! Will I get paid immediately after the job is done?" I asked.
"Yes. Once the job is done, everyone receives their payment." He answered.
"Alright! That's all I need to know. Let me start immediately. I'll give you your fifty percent once I'm paid!" I said as I walked well into the warehouse.
"No! I don't need it! The pay is already as small as it gets!" He shouted from the front of the warehouse where he stood.
I did a little victory dance in my head. Well if he didn't want the money, more food for me because I was definitely starving. I hadn't eaten in days.
***
The cleaning job was done. I had finally eaten and was now walking slowly down the street.
"I'm sorry…I'm so sorry…" a lady apologized. She had just run into me.
"I wasn't looking, I apologize." She said as she tucked her hair behind her ear. She was beautiful. I contemplated telling her that but I held my tongue. I had no funds to chase after a girl.
"It's no problem…I'm James." I said.
"I'm Kimberly." She replied but I could see the worry etched in her eyes.
"You're beautiful, Kimberly." I blurted out.
She blushed.
"Hope I get to see you again," I said.
She smiled, "I hope so too." She said shyly.
Oh could she be any cuter?
We said our goodbyes and parted ways.
I smiled home. Having a good meal and meeting the most beautiful I have ever seen. All on the same day?
***
"Why are you guys taking my stuff out?" I asked and walked into the rat den where I lived.
Two tattooed men were carrying the only bag I owned. That bag wasn't even heavy. Why would it require two hefty men?
"Stand back!" One ordered and put his hand on my chest. We were now standing face to face and I was his exact height and build.
"We don't want to get into any fight. So take your stuff and leave the place. Mr Cameron ordered this." The hefty man explained.
"But Mr Cameron said I could stay here until I find my place." I said.
They explained to me that Mr Cameron got a tenant who was willing to pay, that naturally meant I had to leave.
"You obviously need money man, You should consider boxing, you've got the build." One said to me as they left.
I chuckled bitterly. Boxing huh? With my luck I'll probably lose my teeth in the ring.
I have tried modeling, stripping, being a bouncer and so much more. They all ended horribly, I'd rather not remember.
I was used to being homeless but Mr Cameron had housed me for so long I had almost forgotten what it felt like.
I picked up my only bag pack and headed out to the road.
"I'll sleep by the coffee shop across the road, it's safer." I muttered to myself.
A sudden force hit me and I met with the tarred road. It was a battle between staying awake and sleeping which I just realized was me drifting in and out of consciousness. A lot of voices in the background and the sound of an approaching ambulance.
I raised my hand and placed it on my head where I felt warm liquid gushing out.
I had been hit by a car.
I closed my eyes and let the peaceful darkness envelope me. At least I had a meal to eat today. Just my luck to die on the day I finally get to put food in my mouth.
As I closed my eyes, a flicker of movement caught my attention. A woman with worried eyes leans over me, her face illuminated by the approaching ambulance light. Was it Kimberly?