Chapter Three Purity #2
Her energy was contagious. Very upbeat and friendly. I welcomed it because her friendliness helped my nervousness cease a bit. It helped a lot that we already spoke several times previously as well. Each time we spoke she was always the same way.
She was expecting me, and so far, the professionalism was subpar.
“Okay here is your key card. It grants you access to the building and also to your office space. If you follow me, I can take you there now”
We walked in direction of the elevator together as I followed her league.
There were several friendly faces that greeted us along the way.
I’m sure my damn jaw will start hurting soon from all the smiling I was doing.
It didn’t matter though because I am determined for today to be a great day. So far so good.
A few minutes later we were stepping off the elevator on the fifth floor. Stopping at office 510, I was finally at my home away from home.
“Okay girl, this is your office. Your manager will be in shortly to assist you with anything else you should need. In the meantime, just make yourself at home in your office”
I used my key card and instantly was granted access to my office. When I walked in, I was amazed. Tiffany stood there as I took it all in.
“Thank you for everything that you’ve done this far Tiffany. Its greatly appreciated”
“Of course, if you need anything just give me a holler and I’ll come right back”
“Thanks again girl”
I sat my work bag on the counter behind my desk.
The office was merely empty, but I can visualize exactly how I want it.
I would bring in my own wall décor, pictures and other decorations that will make the space comfortable enough to spend several hours of my day here.
I also wanted it to be inviting for my clients, so they have no problem coming to see me.
I was feeling good about the whole thing.
There was a paper on my desk that contained my credentials to my computer and to access the systems. Even though today is my first day, I agreed to see a few of my clients today.
I wanted to stay on top of my caseload in case anything came up with my son.
I logged into all of the systems just to ensure that I had true access to everything that I needed to successfully do my job.
The training that was done virtually prepared me enough that I feel confident to get the day started.
Yet, I will wait on instruction from my manager before I proceed.
After about twenty-five minutes there was a knock on my door. I looked up to a strikingly handsome black man standing in the doorway.
“Good morning Ms. Banks, I’m your manager Mr. Taylor. How’s your morning going so far?”
“It has actually been off to a good start”
“That’s what I love to hear. Let’s take you down to the armory to get your official firearm and introduce you to the rest of the team. You’ve met Tiffany already. She’s the heartbeat of this place”
“Yes, I picked up on that quickly”, I said laughing lightly.
I grabbed my key card before following him out of the office.
As we walked, he began to show me all the different departments within the building.
All the probation officers that have been with the company welcomed me with open arms. A lot of times in this field women can be cutthroat and not welcoming to other females, but I don’t get that vibe from the ones here.
When we made it to the armory I was instantly intrigued. I smiled inwardly because as the day goes on, I began to settle more and more into my career. We took the elevator down to the second floor to get to the armory. The hallway was eerily colder than every other floor that I have been on.
I grabbed my blazer jacket to close it a little tighter. In an effort to block out some of the air from hitting my body.
“It’s going to be the first door, down here on the right”, Mr. Taylor said, and I nodded my head.
He opened the door of the armory office, and I walked inside as he held it.
“Good morning”, I greeted the clerk politely.
“Good morning”, he responded.
“Hey Brian, this is Purity Banks. She’s our newest PO on the team”
“Welcome purity, well of course we’re happy to have you here. I’m sure you’ll do great things here. One thing I love to see is more African American representation in our field of work. Its needed so we can be a voice for our people”
“That’s exactly what it’s all about. I want to be a voice for our people and try to help get our clients back to living normal lives. It’s a judgement free zone here but I will hold them accountable”, I replied.
“That’s the biggest thing. You’d be surprised how many grown asses people still expect you to hold their hands. So, I’m loving your thinking already”, my boss man said.
One thing I love, is to see black people as a whole win in life.
Us taking seats at tables that the opposition would have never wanted us to back in our ancestors’ days.
So many black people are going to school and furthering their education.
It’s a beautiful thing because we’re no longer waiting for a seat at the table, we’re creating our own.
Having intellectual conversations with people that look just like me is one of my favorite pass times.
Brian and my boss made me feel good about being here.
I watched on as Brian got my paperwork together so that he could issue my firearm.
There were three sheets of paper I had to sign consenting that my weapon would only be used for job purposed.
Just to make sure that I armed when dealing with high-risk offenders and field visits.
About fifteen minutes later I was issued my Glock 19 with a holster.
I hooked the holster in the waistline of my skirt before my boss and I left the armory.
Time was flying and the day is already getting away from me.
Instead of my boss placing another officer in with me to do a couple of site visits, he decided to sit in with me instead.
I only have three clients to see today, and I will leave for the day. My first client is an eighteen year old that’s on probation for an assault during a fight that caused a serious injury. I read over his file briefly just to get a feel for him before he walks in.
“Jaylen Ross, definitely an interesting one. He’s usually on time”, Mr. Taylor said.
Like clockwork, Tiffany was calling to let me know that Mr. Ross was here and she wanted to know if it was okay to send him up.
I obliged and waited patiently for him to make it to the fifth floor.
A couple of minutes later there was a knock on the door.
A tall slender, light skin male stood at the doorway.
“Come on in Mr. Ross”, I said.
He came in and took a seat in one of the chairs that sat directly in front of my desk.
“Jaylen Ross, how are you doing today sir?”
“I’m good”
“Well, I’m Ms. Banks, your new parole officer. I’m sure you’re familiar with Mr. Taylor”
He nodded his head.
“Are you still living at 311 Lawrence Street?”
“I am”
“Are you still working?”
He shifted in his seat uncomfortably without saying anything. It is evident that question made him nervous.
“I’ll take that as a no. Your probation terms are clear that you must maintain a job while actively on probation. It says here that you were previously employed by Slims Chicken. Care to enlighten us on what happened?”
He looked from me and my boss man, contemplating if he wanted to speak at all I guess. I allowed him only a few moments to gather his thought. It didn’t take forever and a day for him to spit it out. He knows what happened and why he is no longer employed there.
“Now is a good time Mr. Ross”
“Alright man, me and the supervisor kept bumping heads about simple shi-, about simple stuff. Last time we got into it he said he had to let me go”
“How long has it been?”
“A week and a half”
“Due to you losing your job, you will have to check in twice a week instead of one until you get another job. When you do start a job be sure to report it so we can update it in your file. Are you still attending your anger management classes?”
He nodded his head that he was. I made a mental note to check in with the instructor of the class to ensure that he’s being truthful. I had Mr. Ross to provide a urine sample for his weekly drug screening before letting him go.
“You handled it exactly like I would. Great job!”
Those words meant everything coming from my boss man. Especially by it being my first day on the job. I always knew I was destined to be in this profession. It’s almost like it all came naturally. I pray the field visits will be just the same.
Luckily, my next client was an easy one.
A twenty-four-year-old Caucasian woman that received stolen property.
From the time she received her charge she has been on the straight and narrow.
Doing everything by the book and following all the conditions of her probation, I had no problem with her at all.
She complied with her drug test and was on her way.
Mr. Taylor kept ensuring me that today was going better than he expected. I was gleaming on the inside. I can’t wait to get off to see my son and fill my mom, my man, and my friends in on my day.
“Like I told you, you have some that want you to hold their hand. Then you’ll have some like Jane that learned their lesson for the first time.
The kind of people that actually appreciate a second chance and are willing to do whatever to get back on track.
Those are the type of people that makes our job easier”
“Trust me, I’m taking it all in. It’s definitely been a learning experience so far.
Being in the prison system prepared me for crossing paths with all kinds of people.
Different outlooks on life and different mentalities.
I feel like I’ll do great here and succeed at becoming one of the best that ever walked through the door”
“I have no doubt about it”