Chapter 14
Angie sat at the table in Gina’s kitchen, her chest tightening as she listened to what Cookie was telling her on the phone. “Okay … if that’s the only way I can get a job at City Hall, then that’s what I’ll do,” Angie said.
Gina walked in the front door from working the late shift at Panera and gave her aunt a thumbs-up; Angie returned Gina’s gesture with a thumbs-down. She shrugged her shoulders and motioned for her niece to give her five minutes.
What Cookie was saying was that she wanted Angie to be a cleaning person for the city and to start early the next morning. Angie swallowed hard to keep from crying. I’m forty-five, I’m too old for this kind of work. My legs and back ache even when I clean my own place. I’m not cut out for it.
“I appreciate any job you can arrange for me until Vinnie’s pension comes through. I won’t let you down, Cookie. I’ll see you tomorrow morning at seven sharp.”
“It’s temporary. I know you need money and benefits, and this will get you on your way until we get Vinnie’s pension sorted out.”
“I’ll be the best cleaner you ever had, Cookie.” I don’t know how long I can do this, but at least it’ll get my foot in the door. Angie hoped her trembling chin didn’t find its way to her voice.
“I know you will. My assistant will get you all set up with a name badge. There’s paperwork to sign and you’ll need to bring your birth certificate.”
“Got it. I can’t thank you enough, Cookie.” Angie’s hands shook as she put down her cell phone, covered her face, and started to sob. “How could I have let myself get in this position? I’m such a loser.”
She felt Gina’s hands on her shoulders as she sat in the chair. “You’re not a loser, Aunt Angie. This is all temporary. As soon as we get our catering business off the ground, you can stop that job and work for Kim and me.”
Angie turned around and leaned into Gina, tears flowing, while Gina rubbed her back. “You’re a strong woman with a family who loves you so much. We’re here for you.” Gina handed her a tissue.
Angie blew her nose. “Vinnie always said what doesn’t kill you will make you stronger.
I know he stole that from someone, but it applies here.
I’m not going to let this keep me down. We got a business to start.
Who knows? I may be able to get us some clients from the city; people are always dying there. ”
Gina laughed. “I have an early shift tomorrow. How about I drop you off for your first day?”
“That would be great. I better get my cleaning clothes out and go to bed. Morning will be here before you know it.” Angie gave her niece a kiss and a hug goodnight and went to her bedroom.
Angie tossed and turned most of the night, finally got out of bed around five, showered and made coffee to go.
She had on an old pair of loose-fitting black pants that would allow her to get up and down off the floor—as she cleaned under the desks—and a gray sweatshirt with pockets.
Her tennis shoes would have to do until she got some better shoes to help support her legs.
On the way downtown, Gina and Angie sipped their coffee while listening to the morning news.
“I wonder what cleaning products they use? I bet they have some tips and tricks on cleaning such a huge building,” Angie said.
“You’re a talented housekeeper; I’m betting you can teach them a thing or two.” Gina pulled up to the entrance on LaSalle. “Good luck, you’ll be great. See you tonight.”
“It’s like the first day of school. I’m a little nervous and excited.
It’s an adventure.” Angie kissed her niece on the cheek.
“You have a good one too.” She hopped out of the car, went inside and up to Cookie’s office, where a young red-haired man wearing big black-rimmed glasses was waiting behind the desk.
“I’m Angie Sortino reporting for duty. You must be Irish with that beautiful head of hair.”
He smiled. “Good morning, Angie. I’m Bud, and, yes, I’m Irish. I work with Cookie. I have all your paperwork ready. Please follow me to the conference room.”
She followed him into a small room with a round table where a stack of paperwork was waiting for her.
“When you’re done, we’ll get your photo ID, and then I’ll introduce you to Lorna, the supervisor over housekeeping. She’ll orient you to our system, and then you’ll be off and running. Would you like a cup of coffee?”
“No, thank you, I already had mine.” She sat down and moved the stack of papers in front of her.
“I’ll be out front when you’re done.” Bud left Angie to it.
Angie read every form carefully and completed each one until it came to next of kin. She gently touched her heart. I’ll use Gina’s name and contact info.
She brought all the completed forms out to Bud.
An hour later, she was ready to start cleaning.
Lorna’s orientation was short and to the point.
She handed Angie a sheet of paper. “Here’s a list of all the cleaning supplies.
If it’s not on the list, you don’t need it.
The utility closet with the refills is in the basement.
Be careful down there; we have rats. We tried to get rid of them, but they’re not leaving.
” Angie read the list. All the necessary items were there, not her preferred brands, but these would get the job done.
“No time to dillydally around here,” Lorna said.
“We have to keep this place spick-and-span. You’ll have the first two floors to start with.
I’ll be on the eleventh floor if you need me.
You don’t look like you’ll need any cleaning tips; you’re no spring chicken. Start with the bathrooms.”
As Lorna was talking, Angie watched the penciled-in, large brown beauty mark on the left side of Lorna’s lip moving up and down, likely a nod to Marilyn Monroe.
“One more thing, on the morning shift, we clock out at five sharp, no matter what. Don’t try to be a hero; we don’t go for that here. I’ve been cleaning here for over twenty years.” Lorna left, her long, dyed blonde hair tied up in a bun on the top of her head bouncing.
Angie pushed her cart through the dimly lit first floor of the Chicago City Hall. She hummed as she went about her work, her eyes darting around, taking in the grandeur of the building. She had cleaned a toilet or two in her life, so this wasn’t difficult work.
As she turned a corner, she saw a group of young men in suits huddled around a conference table in a heated debate, their voices rising.
Angie paused for a moment, her curiosity piqued.
She cleared her throat, making her presence known.
The men turned to look at her, their expressions ranging from surprise to annoyance.
Angie smiled warmly at them. “Good morning, gentlemen. I’m just here to clean up.”
One of the men nodded curtly and then returned to the discussion. Angie watched them for a moment longer before continuing her route. She knew better than to get involved in the politics of the building, not that anyone was inviting her.
As she made her way to the next room, Angie noticed a pile of papers scattered on the floor.
She bent down to pick them up and felt her eyes widen.
They were official-looking documents, bearing the seal of the city.
She knew that these papers could be important, and she couldn’t just leave them lying around.
She quickly gathered them up and put them in her cart.
Lorna would tell her what to do with them.
Maybe I can do a little research on where Vinnie’s pension is when I clean HR on the eleventh floor tomorrow.
No telling what files I might find on Cookie’s desk.
I better watch myself—I don’t want to get fired, or worse, arrested.
As she moved on to the next room, Angie couldn’t help but wonder what else she might find out about City Hall doing this job. She might be just a cleaning lady, but she knew from Vinnie that the building had its fair share of deep, dark secrets.
Angie kept moving forward, knowing that she had a job to do.
She stopped briefly to eat the peanut butter and jelly sandwich and apple Gina had made her the night before and put in a brown paper bag with a note: Good luck on your first day—go get ’em, Aunt Angie.
Love you, Gina. She smiled. After she finished lunch, she moved on to her next room.
It felt good to be working, and come payday, it would feel even better.
Lorna found her at five sharp. “Quitting time. I’ll show you where to stow your cleaning cart for tomorrow.”
“I found these important papers on the first floor and wasn’t sure what to do with them.” Angie handed her the papers.
“You’ll be finding a lot of these. We have a lost and found basket in HR; drop them there on your way out. Write the floor where you found them. See you tomorrow.” Lorna cracked her gum and left.
Angie took the bus home, dozing off and on until it got to her stop on Diversey. Getting off, she walked two blocks to Dayton to Gina’s apartment.
As she approached the door, smells of buttery garlic greeted her. Once in, she saw Kim cooking up a storm, all four burners going with pots of food simmering.
“Smells amazing! What’s for dinner?” Angie glanced over at the stove.
“We’re having some of my famous wonton soup, with garlic shrimp and chestnuts, homemade egg rolls, and egg foo yong—all my great grandmother’s recipes.
You’re in for a real treat. Gina is on her way home.
We have lots of great news. I can’t wait to share.
Why don’t you go get changed and I’ll pour you a glass of wine. ”
“Sounds wonderful, I’ll be back in a bit.” Angie showered and put on her Juicy sweatpants and sweatshirt that Gina gifted her and came back into the kitchen.
Over a delicious meal, Kim brought everyone up to speed on her productive day.
“I called our friend Louie Rago, and he graciously offered to have us at the monthly funeral directors’ meeting at his place next Monday.
I told him we’d supply all the food and drink and to be sure he brings his appetite. ”
“This soup is amazing, Kim, and the shrimp and garlic, a flavor party in my mouth.” Gina licked her lips.
Kim continued, “I drafted a list of finger foods for every type of ethnic service, and I got a great potato latke recipe from a Jewish friend. We can make small ones and serve them with applesauce and sour cream.”
Angie smiled. “I have a good feeling about our company. I can make homemade applesauce this weekend. It’s an old family recipe. I do have a full-time job now, so I’ll have to do my prep at night and on the weekends.”
“Let’s look at the list after dinner. How was your first day at work, Aunt Angie?” Gina asked.
“It was so interesting. The cleaning part is easy. So much going on at City Hall, all kinds of people coming and going—it’s fascinating.
I met my supervisor, Lorna, who is a kick in the pants.
She looks to be about fifty, but she’s got a Marilyn Monroe thing going on, put a fake beauty mark over her lip. She has no time for idle conversation.”
After dinner they cleared their plates and went into the small living room and focused on the draft menu.
Angie could hardly keep her eyes open. “It’s bedtime for me.
Whatever you decide on the menu is fine with me.
I gotta be up at the crack of dawn to catch the bus.
And thank you for that sweet note in my lunch bag, Gina.
Dinner was exceptional. Good night, my two young entrepreneurs. ”