Chapter Four
CHAPTER FOUR
STASSI
I know I should be lucky to have an amazing supportive family but twenty-eight years old and still living with my mom, stepdad, and younger siblings was not on my bingo card this year.
As I wait for the printer to finish printing my resume for another day of job hunting, I’m tapping on the desk for it hurry up. I need to find something so I can get the fuck out of here. There are so many places hiring but I want to find something in my field, working with children. I can be a preschool teacher, teacher’s aide, or a nanny but if I can’t find anything then I have to work fast food until something opens up. I sigh, picking up the twenty resumes from the tray and walk out of my stepdad's office.
“What are you doing in my office?” His tone is harsh, and I shrink back some.
“Printing off some more resumes. Mom said it’d be okay. I left a five dollar bill on your desk for the use of the ink and paper.” My words are barely above a whisper. He grunts and walks around me to go into his office. He slams the door, making me jump. I know he hates that my mom had another child with a man who wasn’t him but he has children of his own. I did everything I could to make him love me. It’s not my fault my real dad didn’t want me. It’s my main motivator to get out of this house.
I walk into the kitchen where Mom is making breakfast for the nine year old twins and my twelve year old sister.
“Is there anything I can help with, Mom?” I ask.
“Could you set the table for me, dear? Your stepdad won’t be joining us; he has an important business call.” I nod my head and begin to work while his biological children sit around doing nothing like always. Once the scrambled eggs and toast are complete. I grab the orange juice and apple juice to place on the table so I don’t have to get up constantly because they will never choose just one. Mom serves my siblings and herself first and if there is anything left, I’ll get some. The money comes from my stepdad and he hates spending it on me. His boys, wife, and him come first and he makes it known to me just how much I don’t belong. My nine year old brothers decide to take another spoonful of eggs so all that is left for me is one piece of toast. I eat it with a smile on my face.
“Thank you for breakfast but I need to get going. I have twenty resumes to hand out. I’ll do the dishes when I get home.” I kiss the top of my mom’s head. I didn’t get dinner last night because everyone had seconds so there was nothing left and now just a slice of toast so my stomach growls on the way out of the house. I look back to see my stepdad coming out to eat more food that has magically appeared.
I wonder if I could find a friend who would let me stay with them. I close the door and walk down the sidewalk. I don’t have my car anymore as my stepdad thought my mom needed it more. I worked since I was fifteen for that car so I could go away to college and start my life without them. I turn right and head to town. I have about two hundred dollars in my savings and I’m worried about spending it because there could be an emergency.
There is a bakery on my way to the employment agency I found online yesterday while I was at the library researching jobs. I stop in to grab myself something to drink at least but the scents tickle my nose. I check out the bakery case and bite my lip.
Can I splurge this one time?
“So many choices huh?” a woman standing beside me comments. I was so engrossed in the food case I didn’t even feel someone coming up near me.
“Oh yeah. I was distracted. Do you have any recommendations?” I smile. She’s probably my mom’s age if not slightly older. Her hair is the color red that most women will pay top dollar at a salon to get. She smiles sweetly at me.
“I’m addicted to their cupcakes. They are my only guilty pleasures I allow myself twice a week. I also try to pick up some treats for my son and his employees over at his garage. Right now her special is a Cherry Coke cupcake,” I scrunch up my nose, “I know, weird right? But it’s so good. Try it. Actually let me buy you one on me so you’re not wasting your money.”
“Oh I couldn’t allow you to do that.” I try arguing with her. She’s insisting. We walk together to the register together. She places her order and asks me what kind of coffee I drink. I order a mocha macchiato. She introduces herself as Paula. We sit down waiting for her big order.
“What brings you out this early?” Paula asks as she sips her pumpkin spice latte.
“Job hunting. My stepdad doesn’t like me living at home so I need to find something. I have a degree in child development so I’m looking to work with kids.” I smile. “Being able to help kids is one of life’s true joy.”
“Do you have a resume on you? I know a lot of people. Do you babysit, teach, or what does this degree allow for you to do?”
I explain to her about being a preschool teacher, nanny, or teacher’s aide.
“How exciting?” Her phone begins to ring and she excuses herself letting me know it’s her son. She does take one of my resumes. I let her know I need to go and give her a hug for being so kind and generous. Paula squeezes me tight.
Today is the day. I can feel it.