10

Kayla was determined to get a job and get one quick. She knew that it would have to be one with benefits because she would have to be out on maternity leave, preferably with pay. Theo, who was Tia’s new boyfriend, worked for an insurance agency and told her they were hiring. He passed her resume on, but Kayla had not heard anything and it had been a week. She found out the Human Resources person’s name and decided to go see her in person.

“Good morning. Hunter Davis, please,” Kayla told the elderly security guard. “Okay. And you are?” He smiled and reached for the telephone on the cluttered desk.

“Kayla, Kayla Hopkins,” she answered.

He mumbled into the receiver and then hung the phone up. “She’s in a meeting. Leave your number and she’ll call you back.” Kayla looked at her watch and saw that it was quarter to ten. She didn’t feel like leaving her resume anywhere else or filling out any more applications. She took a deep breath and walked back over to the desk. “If you don’t mind, I’ll wait until she has a moment to speak with me.”

“No, I don’t mind. You can sit right over there.” He pointed to a leather sofa in front of a table full of well-worn magazines. Kayla went and picked up a subscription of Better Homes and Gardens. The lobby was pretty much empty and remained that way with the exception of an occasional courier dropping off or picking up a package.

“You want me to try her again?” the security guard asked her for the third time since she had been waiting.

“No, you’ve already left two messages. I’m sure she will be out soon,” Kayla told him.

“Well, it’s twelve o’clock and I’m about to go to lunch. I’ll be back in a half-hour. You need anything?”

“No, thanks. I’ll wait.”

“Suit yourself, ma’am.” He came from behind the desk and went through the glass doors separating the lobby from the remainder of the building. At one point, Kayla thought about calling Tia and having her call Theo to let him know she was in the lobby. No, he did what he said he’d do. Now it’s up to me. She sat back and reached for another magazine. Soon, the guard returned and found her still waiting. Several employees began entering and exiting the building. Checking her watch again, Kayla’s stomach began to growl. Maybe I should go and get something to eat and come back.

“Ms. Davis, this is the young lady that has been waiting for you all day,” the security guard quickly said to a tall, attractive brunette as she came through the doors.

“Ms. Hopkins, you’re still here? But it’s after two.” She looked surprisingly at Kayla.

“I decided to wait until you got a moment. You can go to lunch. I’ll wait.”

“Nonsense. By all means, you’ve waited long enough. Come on back.” She used a keycard and she and Kayla stepped through the glass doors and onto the elevator. They rode to the third floor, walked down the corridor, entered a door labeled Human Resources and then went into Hunter’s office. “Have a seat. Can I get you anything? Coffee, soda, water?”

“Water, if that’s okay.” Kayla took a seat and hoped her stomach was not growling loudly.

Hunter reached into the small refrigerator located beside a file cabinet and took out two bottles of water, passing one to Kayla. “Believe it or not, calling you is on my to-do list for this week. But our district manager came into town and announced that we will be developing a new division and that has the entire place going crazy.”

“I can imagine.” Kayla nodded.

“I have reviewed your resume and I see you are a teacher. I am a former teacher myself, but I got burnt out.” Hunter sat down and opened a file folder on her desk.

“That is the point where I am now,” Kayla explained. “I definitely need a change. “ Kayla looked deep within herself and told Hunter everything she thought the woman wanted to hear. She had prepared herself mentally for this interview and she was determined to get a position. She had to. She had to get herself together. Getting a job was just the first step in that direction.

“Well, Ms. Hopkins, you certainly are what we are looking for here at Atkins and I will definitely be calling you in the next month or so,” Hunter said.

“In a month? I need a job now, Ms. Davis. I can’t wait a month.” Kayla felt her heart beating faster and her breath quickened. Tears began to well into her eyes.

“I’m sorry, Ms. Hopkins. The hiring for the new division won’t be until then. As a matter of fact, our last training class starts on Monday afternoon and it is full.”

God, please help me. I have a child to provide for. Open a door for me. I need this, Kayla prayed in her heart.

“I can start Monday, Ms. Davis. Please, just give me a chance,” Kayla pleaded.

“But today is Thursday. You would need to have a drug screening and security clearance. That takes about a week to complete and today is Thursday. The head of security works half days on Friday and he does not take kindly to being rushed.” She looked at Kayla sadly.

“Please. I will take care of everything I need to by Monday.” Kayla was beginning to cry at this point.

Hunter looked at her and Kayla could see the wheels turning in the woman’s head. She stood and reached into the file cabinet, passing Kayla a pack of papers. “Call this clinic and see if they can take you this afternoon or first thing in the morning. You need to be back here by noon tomorrow for your security paperwork.”

“Huh? You mean . . .” Kayla began.

“I respect your resilience. You have the courage to go after what you want. We need that here at this office. Welcome to Atkins.” Hunter stood and extended her hand to Kayla. Kayla threw her head back and laughed. Thank you, God.

“Thank you, Ms. Davis. I won’t disappoint you,” she said as she shook her hand.

“I’m sure you won’t,” Hunter told her.

The next day Kayla looked around the small security office as she completed her paperwork. There were several TV monitors transmitting different entrances to the building and the parking lots as well. She watched employees pass by the screens and was grateful that she would be among them. She had rushed over to the clinic, completed her drug screening and made it back to the Atkins Agency at precisely twelve o’clock.

She looked over onto a small table and noticed other pictures with names on them. There were several other women and a few men; one in particular was a big, cheesing, dark-skinned man wearing a sweater vest with a paisley bow tie. The name on his picture was Terrell. He looks happy to have a job, Kayla laughed to herself.

“In your haste to accept the job, I didn’t get a chance to tell you exactly what department you would be in, the hours, your salary or your benefits. I guess we should take care of that, huh?” Hunter said as she collected Kayla’s paperwork.

“I think we should.” Kayla smiled.

Hunter told her about the customer service position that she was hired for and went over the thick benefit packet. “Now here’s what the starting salary is, but there is a ten percent night differential because the hours are from noon until nine. After a year, you will be reviewed for an additional salary increase based on merit.”

“I need to tell you something,” Kayla said quietly.

“What’s wrong?” Hunter looked concerned.

“I’m pregnant.”

“Congratulations. When is your due date?” She smiled.

“November twenty-first.”

“Well, that works out perfect for you. Your ninety-day probation will be up and you will be entitled to two months paid maternity leave. Now you can take up to a year, but only the first two months are paid. We love giving baby showers around here. Gives us a reason to eat cake.”

“Wow.” Kayla thanked Hunter for all she had done and walked out of the building happy that she was once again fully employed.