Having decided that I needed to get out of the big city, and try to make a life elsewhere, I made my way to a small town called Ashford, in Maine. It was near the coast and the cutest town I have ever seen. I looked for a job for a few days and had no luck. I was a bit scruffy from my time on the streets. Most people took one look at me and all of a sudden the job was filled. I guess that’s my own fault.
I made friends, well sort of, with a young man that worked at a local restaurant. I would stand outside of it during the day, hoping someone would buy me a meal, which they did occasionally. I think he felt sorry for me.
One day he walked up to chat as usual during his lunch break. He brought me a burger that someone said was too well done and had sent back. I didn’t care. I was so hungry. As I wolfed it down, he started talking.
“Are you looking for a job?” he asked me.
“Yes. I need one badly,” I said with my mouth full.
“Well, I know someone that works at the horse breeding farm outside of town and he said they are looking for a cook’s assistant. I guess theirs just quit. Can you cook?”
“I’m actually a pretty good cook. Where do I apply?”
“I don’t know. It’s at the Tyler Estate. I guess you could just go out there.”
He proceeded to give me directions while I finished my burger. I thanked him and started walking. I realized then that I never did ask him his name. I would have to find that out later.
About 45 minutes later I reached the estate. It was a beautiful sunny day and I didn’t mind walking. I was a bit sweaty by the time I arrived though. I have to say that I was amazed. It was the most impressive house I have ever seen. It had a tree lined driveway that seemed to stretch for miles, and the house was huge. I have never seen one so large. It was on a huge ranch with a lot of horses and people working there. A few of the ranch hands looked at me strangely as I walked up to the house, but that didn’t matter. This was probably my last shot at survival.
As I walked up to the circular driveway heading to the front door, it suddenly opened. A young couple walked out, followed by an older gentleman. He was probably an employee by the looks of him. He looked about 60 years old, but was well over six feet tall and a bit more than 200 pounds. He had dark eyes and dark hair, that was just starting to gray at the temples. Even at his age, he was an imposing man. I wondered if he was their body guard.
“How many servants do we have? Two? And I’m expected to do everything else?” the woman wailed at what looked to be her husband, as they walked toward their car. The older gentleman walked around them and opened the back door for them.
“You know we have a lot more than two people working here, Sarah,” He replied.
The woman was in her 20s. I would say she was pretty, certainly not beautiful. She had short, brunette hair and in the few seconds that I observed her, she seemed to have an air about her that said she was not really that friendly, like she was better than everyone else.
Just then, they noticed me. They both stopped and looked at me curiously.
“Can we help you?” the woman called Sarah asked me. She looked me up and down and obviously did not like what she saw.
I couldn’t really blame her. I walked up wearing faded jeans with a large hole in the left knee, a ratty t-shirt with a picture of Jim Morrison on it, and even rattier tennis shoes. This was almost everything I owned. I knew better than to show up dressed like that, but had no other choice. I had very little makeup on and looked a bit scruffy. I had been living on the streets for a few weeks and obviously didn’t look my best. Now that I was off drugs it was time to put my life back together, get a job and become a productive human being. I knew this was what I wanted, even at 15 years old.
“Hi,” I said, feeling a little shy, and way underdressed. I never imagined that they would see me right on the spot. I wasn’t prepared for an interview, and certainly wasn’t dressed for one. Not that it would have made any difference. My other clothes were no better. “A guy I met in town said you were looking for a cook.” I looked down at my feet.
As I looked back up, Sarah gave me a look of disapproval, so her husband stepped in.
“Hello,” he said, reaching out to shake my hand. “I’m Adam Tyler and this is my wife, Sarah,” he told me, motioning toward her.
“Hi,” I said again, and looked over at Sarah. “I’m really sorry I’m dressed this way,” looking down at my worn clothing and brushing imaginary things off of my shirt while talking. “I didn’t think I would be meeting you right now. But, I could really use a job. I’m a good cook.”
“Who in the world shows up at the door unannounced?” Sarah asked. She obviously didn’t care that I was standing right there.
Adam just shrugged his shoulders without even looking her way.
“Maybe I should come back later,” I said, turning to leave.
“It’s perfectly all right,” Adam told me. I don’t know why, but he seemed to like me, or at least was just a nice person. “What is your name?”
“Abigail. Well..Abbey.” I stuttered, nervously.
“Abigail, we have a few minutes before we have to leave. Why don’t you come in and sit down. We can have a talk.” He motioned toward the door, and the doorman, or whatever he was, walked around us toward the front door.
“It’s Abbey. No one calls me Abigail,” I said shyly, noticing how cute Adam Tyler was. He was tall, and not much older than I was. He had sandy colored hair and the most beautiful green eyes I have ever seen. I knew immediately that I had better keep my distance from him.
“Okay, Abbey then,” he responded, and smiled my way. I think he could tell I was very nervous and he wanted to make me feel a little more comfortable. I smiled shyly back.
“Well this is very out of the ordinary. We usually go through the employment service in town,” Sarah said, looking at both of us.
“Sorry,” I said and again turned to leave. This woman was not giving me a job today.
“Wait,” Adam called after me. Sarah and I both stopped in our tracks and turned to face Adam.
“You just said that we need more help around here. Why don’t you at least talk to her? It can’t hurt,” Adam said to Sarah.
Sarah thought for a moment. This was a woman that really didn’t like her routines deviated from. That was obvious from the moment I met her. Perhaps she thought it made her look weak. Even though she herself was only in her twenties, I think she wanted to make sure everyone knew she was not to be messed with. She was in charge.
“I don’t know, Adam. How would that look?”
“Look to who? Just talk to the girl already,” he responded. It seemed that he liked to keep things simple. “What is the point in going through an agency, when there is someone standing at our door wanting a job? She did say she was a good cook.” He looked over at me and smiled again.
Reluctantly, Sarah agreed. “Okay John, show her in.” She said to the doorman, without looking at him directly. She flicked her hand at him in a dismissive manner. He opened the door, they entered first, then me, followed by John. They led me to a large, but cozy room.
“Thank you,” Adam said, and John disappeared quickly.
Adam motioned to an open chair across from a couch that Sarah sat down on. Then he sat down next to her.
The room was a library. It had floor to ceiling books on every wall. I was mesmerized, but needed to concentrate on the people sitting across from me. I could check it out later, if I got the job.
Up until this point, Sarah hadn’t said much. She didn’t like the looks of me. I could tell. I was scruffy, I know.
“So, where have you worked before?” Sarah asked me bluntly.
I was a bit startled at Sarah’s sudden question, and hesitated a moment while I thought about what I should say. I realized then that I was completely unprepared for an interview. Why in the world did I just show up without trying to dress a bit nicer and at least rehearsing the answers to some questions I might be asked? I probably looked and sounded like an idiot.
“Well?” Sarah was starting to get impatient, and gave Adam a look that said ‘Why are we wasting our time with her?’
Adam patted her hand, and gave her a ‘just be patient’ look.
They both looked back to me for an answer.
“Well, I have done a lot of odd jobs. Nothing long term, all under the table. I know I really don’t have any references, but I really am a good cook and if you just give me a chance, I’ll prove it to you.” It really wasn’t the answer she was expecting, I’m sure. But, it was all I had.
“What is your last name?” Sarah asked. She must have realized that I had only said ‘Abigail’ when introducing myself.
“Oh, well…it’s Hunter.” I blurted out. That was the name of an old boyfriend, and the only name I could come up with on the spot. I didn’t want them to know my real name. I was a runaway and was afraid that if the cops found out, I would be arrested, because I had some petty theft and minor drug charges against me. Those charges had been dropped, but I didn’t know if they could be revived upon me getting arrested for being a runaway or not. So, I lied. I prayed that they wouldn’t see right through me.
“How old are you?” Adam asked me.
I knew that if I told them I was 15, they would probably call the cops, or at the very least, kick me to the curb. “I’m 18,” I lied. They seemed to believe me.
“Well, the cook’s assistant just quit, so we are shorthanded. I don’t see any reason why we can’t give you a chance to prove that you can cook,” Adam told me.
Sarah glared at him. But, I could tell that she didn’t want to argue with him in front of anyone. She probably thought it was tacky. So, she let it go for the time being. I had a feeling that they would talk about it later.
“That would be fantastic. Thank you!” I jumped up and grabbed his hand to shake it. When I reached for Sarah’s hand, she jerked it back as if I had just bitten her. I knew immediately that I was going to have trouble with the lady of the house.
“When do you want me to start?” I asked. “I have to go find a place to stay first.”
“Oh, no, I don’t think you understand,” Adam replied. “This job comes with a room in the staffs’ quarters.”
I was shocked. “What? I can move in here? Oh wow. I don’t know what to say.” I started to tear up. I had been living on the streets so long and couldn’t even imagine having my own place to stay, even just a simple room in such a beautiful place.
“Of course,” Adam said. “Go get your things. You can start right away.”
“Thank you so much!” I turned my head away so they wouldn’t see the tears. “I’ll go get my things. They are just outside in a duffle bag.” I headed for the door.
Adam and Sarah looked at each other, but I dismissed it and headed out to get my things. As soon as I was out of the room, I heard Sarah start talking and decided to stop and listen, because I was sure they were going to talk about me.
“What in the world are you thinking? We don’t know this girl and she has no references. All of her possessions are in a duffle bag for god’s sake. She could kill us in our sleep. Or worse, rob us blind.”
“Seriously, don’t be so dramatic,” Adam replied. In my mind he rolled his eyes at her. I could just tell from the tone of his voice. If that’s actually what happened, Sarah chose to ignore him. “She is just a young girl, down on her luck. She looks like she could use a helping hand. We have plenty of room here and really could use the help. You were just complaining that you have to do everything, weren’t you? Besides, I think you made some comment the other day about starving to death if the cook didn’t get some help. Let’s give her a chance. I’m sure she’ll be just fine.”
He was so calm about the situation. I knew I was going to like him. Sarah seemed like she couldn’t help being worried. I couldn’t really blame her. They didn’t know me and had no idea what I was capable of.
“I will have John keep a close eye on her. We can’t just let her have the run of the place. She is a dirty vagrant after all,” I heard Sarah say. I’ll bet that she crinkled up her face in disgust when she called me a ‘dirty vagrant.’
She had a point though.
I was afraid one of the staff would catch me eavesdropping, so I left quickly to get my things. I had dropped my duffle bag in the bushes right before I came across them in the driveway. When I went back into the house, Adam instructed John to show me to my new room and to introduce me to Oliver, the head cook. Oliver would be thrilled to have help. He had been complaining for weeks about all the work he had to do alone, Adam told me.
John led me through the back hallway to the servants’ quarters. The house just seemed to get darker and smaller, the further back we walked. I almost felt like ducking down from the low ceiling as we walked down the dank hallway. It was just a feeling. The ceiling wasn’t actually any lower than any other part of the house, it just felt that way. But, I didn’t mind. Anything was better than some of the places I had stayed in during my time out in the world.
When we reached my room, I was pleasantly surprised. It was very small, no doubt. Only large enough for one bed and a dresser. But, it was heaven. I would be happy here. A job and a place to live. Right then it felt like I hit the lottery.