March 11, 8.42 a.m.
Becky Glass had been unsure about the job from the start. She’d never done anything like it. Never even anticipated that she’d end up in this position, but money was money and she needed a new place to live, her kids needed new shoes and everyone had to eat. Since the divorce, her husband’s checks were not reliable and she had to work for herself.
Becky continued to stride up the avenue, a child attached to each hand. Her pace was quick. She was already fifteen minutes late.
Out in Brooklyn, she had a part-time day job, but it paid very little. Prior to the arrival of the children she had been a bank clerk and now she needed a full-time job again. She had to focus on moving forward as an independent single mother.
She had to shut the door on her emotions. She’d deal with them later, when the children were older. It was a fact of life, no one else was going to jump in and save you, at least not if you were thirty-six with two kids in tow.
The job had been advertised. She’d called them up. She had the right experience and they told her to come by. She’d let her old boss know she needed full-time work and he was kind enough to put in a good word with the company. The location on Manhattan would present problems, but the pay was good.
That morning, things hadn’t gone to plan, though. It was a teacher day at school, her babysitter had called in sick and her friends couldn’t be rounded up at short notice. She had a brief meltdown, shouted at both kids and then pulled herself together. She got herself dressed, decided she wasn’t going to let this small obstacle get in the way of a new life, and brought the kids with her to the interview.
‘I can’t walk any more,’ said small, round-faced Ruth.
‘Well, it’s just round the next corner,’ Becky replied with a jerk of her right arm. Her daughter skipped forward. ‘Come on! I can’t be late for this. Mommy needs a job. Ruthie needs to eat.’
Ruth and Jerry were both seven years old. They weren’t twins, there were ten months between them, but for two months each year they shared the same age and the younger Jerry teased his older sister about it until she lost her temper.
Out on a Manhattan day trip from Brooklyn, or that’s how they saw it, they didn’t quite understand their mother’s impatience. Mom had always been there just for them.
Becky was excited about getting back into the routine of a job. She knew it was the right thing to do. She was a little scared, of course, not sure if she had the skills or attitude they were looking for, but she came with a very good résumé and she was determined.
Now, standing in front of the huge office block, dwarfed by the gargantuan glass building zigzagged with windows as far as the eye could see, she could feel her fears rising.
She looked at her kids. ‘Mommy is now officially terrified. Say a little prayer, won’t you?’ Neither child responded. ‘It’s just an interview. I shouldn’t be more than fifteen minutes. Wish me luck.’
They both turned their heads up towards her bright blue eyes and stared.
‘Good luck,’ came a staccato reply.
‘Come on, you can’t wait for me out here. You can wait at reception. I’ll ask the receptionists to keep an eye on you, but no moving and no talking to anyone. I called and told them my problem. They said they’d be pleased to have you. Anyone apart from them talks to you and you go straight to reception, they know where I am.’
Becky pulled both children up to the top of the steps. Jerry was preoccupied. He was pointing down at the street. ‘Mommy, that car’s on fire.’
‘Shhh, no more talking,’ said Becky. She looked across the street at a red car. ‘Someone’s smoking in the front seat, that’s all.’
Becky walked across the marble floor to the glossy receptionist, half dragging both kids.
‘Becky Glass. For an interview.’
‘Fourteenth floor, Ms Glass. Take the first elevator and report to reception.’
‘Thank you. I realize that it’s a bit of an imposition, but would you be able to keep an eye on my children? I called – you might remember. I had a problem with my babysitter and had to bring them with me. They have promised to behave.’
‘Of course, I’d be happy to. Good luck and have a nice day.’
‘Thank you, that’s very kind of you.’ Becky looked around one last time. It was a very nice-looking building, safe and open, with security on the door and three receptionists.
She turned to her kids. ‘Now, look, it’s safe here, the receptionist is there if you need anything. You’ve both got reading books in your backpacks, now go and sit on that bench and be good. I won’t be long. If you move from here, I will not be happy.’
The two kids muttered under their breath and hauled themselves on to the bench.
‘Can’t I come in with you?’ said Jerry.
‘No, Jerry, you sit and read.’
‘I don’t want to be left alone with her.’
‘She’s your sister.’
‘I know and she stinks.’
‘She’s just the same as you. If she smells, so do you.’
Jerry said something under his breath. Ruth glared at him and pushed him with her leg. He pushed back. Becky scolded firmly, then moved towards the elevator, walking backwards and wagging a finger.
She gave them one last look as she stepped into the elevator and shouted out, ‘Now, don’t move from here. I love you. I’ll see you in a little bit.’ The elevator door shut. Becky felt the cabin shake as it rose. She took out her résumé, panic swelling in her throat. What was she getting herself into? Could she even hold down a job with her two children?
As soon as their mother was out of sight, the children glared at each other.
‘What are you staring at?’ said Ruth.
‘The ugliest thing I ever saw.’
‘That’s because you’ve never seen yourself.’
‘I’m not staying around here with you, stinker,’ said Jerry.
‘You heard what Mama said. You’re not allowed to go anywhere.’
‘I can go wherever I want as long as that lady on the desk doesn’t see me.’
Jerry jumped off the bench and started to walk towards the big glass door while keeping a close eye on the receptionist. He pulled the door open and felt the cold air again. The sound of the traffic excited him as he moved outside and let the door swing shut behind him. He’d prove who was the bravest.
Ruth looked around her. She wasn’t going to be left alone, that was for sure. She quickly followed Jerry out of the door. She caught a glimpse of her brother as he disappeared around the corner of the building, his two hands formed as if carrying a handgun, the imagination already in overdrive.
Ruth hung on the rail and then sighed. She’d have to follow. Otherwise Jerry would get himself into trouble and she’d get the blame.