JEWELL

After she released the intercom button, Jewell turned her radio down a notch. They’d already gotten on her about playing it too loud. Shit, it was better than the elevator music they wanted to play. “This is a black law firm people, so let’s act like it,” Jewell wanted to say.

Another day, another dollar, but was it worth the aggravation? Some days, Jewell despised coming to this place. The days seemed endless. Watching the clock didn’t help because each time she looked at it, only minutes had passed. It wasn’t that her job was stressful or anything. Heck, she could deal with Crystal, because as long as her work was done in a timely manner, it was all good. Elsie was patient, always willing to answer questions if she didn’t understand anything. But Susan, she was one female who was hard to get along with. Not a day went by when Jewell didn’t want to curse her out and say, “Do it your damn self!”

The reason she allowed Susan to affect her this way was because she reminded Jewel of her mother. Her moms was always judging her. Nothing was ever good enough—her grades, her chores or her clothes. Her mom would yell things like, “You’ll never amount to anything. All you’re going to do is have babies and be on welfare like your no-good, whoring friends.”

Unable to take the verbal abuse any longer, Jewell moved out at the age of sixteen to live with her nineteen-year-old boyfriend, King. As predicted, she got pregnant, but she stayed in school. Eventually they broke up and she had to apply for welfare. Being smart, she used it for a free education and became a nurse’s aid.

It wasn’t long before she realized that wiping somebody’s ass with her fifty-dollar nail tips on wasn’t the move. After doing some research and talking with her social worker, Jewell decided to take some computer classes, become a secretary during the day and go to paralegal school at night. When she saw the position advertised at Gem, Carlson, and Shaw, she decided “what the heck” and applied.

Just because Jewell complained occasionally and watched the clock didn’t mean she hated her job. She didn’t. She was given the opportunity to learn hands-on, and not only did they pay her well, she received great medical benefits. No more Medicaid and going to the walk-in clinic with her son. She received one week paid vacation, had sick time and personal days. For the first time in Jewell’s life, she felt worthy. She knew she had made the right decision.

School was going well. As a matter of fact, it was easier than she thought. She had convinced herself before starting that she was in above her head. She wasn’t sure if she could handle the pressure of school, work, and parenting, but found she was able. Her son’s father helped out, and she had an excellent babysitter. Actually, she would be using the babysitter tonight.

Jewell was going on a blind date set up by her best friend. A blind date was better than none. She hadn’t been on one in a long time. She was looking forward to it. Therefore, this was one day she would not let Susan’s stank attitude affect her.

Jewell took the gum out of her mouth, put it in some tissue, and threw it in the garbage can under her desk. She stood up, pulled down the hem of her mini-skirt, and went to make coffee in the conference room. They would be coming in any minute, and she didn’t want any complaints. After she grabbed her Dictaphone and note pad, she started her day.

As Jewell placed the coffee cups, cream, sugar and Sweet and Low on the table, she recalled her interview for the position. Crystal, Susan, and Elsie interviewed her as a group, and she was nervous as hell. She sat with her hands crossed on her lap. Her legs shook and her voice quivered when answering questions. She could tell from the expression on Susan’s face that she didn’t want to hire her.

“Excuse me. I have to go to the ladies’ room,” she told them. What she needed to do was go in, throw some water on her face, and regroup. Before she stepped back into the room, she heard someone say her name. She stood near the door to listen to what was being said.

The first voice she heard was Susan’s. “Simply put, I think she’s ghetto. Look at what she’s wearing. You do not come dressed for an interview like that. Her weave needs to be touched up, and her shoes are for the clubs, not for an office.”

Jewell wanted to bust the door down, tell Susan to take a good look because her hair wasn’t a weave, then she would knock her in the mouth. Instead she forced herself to wait and see what everyone said.

“That’s true, but maybe she just doesn’t know any better. She’s young,” Elsie said.

“That’s not good enough,” was Susan’s reply.

Jewell looked down at her clothes. She didn’t find anything wrong with her outfit. She wore black slacks and a body suit. Okay, maybe it was a little too tight, but damn, they were all women. On her feet were stiletto shoes, her best pair. Instead of beating Susan’s ass, Jewell decided to leave, until she realized she couldn’t because her Gucci knockoff was in the conference room.

“I think we should give her a chance,” Jewell heard Crystal say. “Let’s just finish interviewing her and see how it goes. Yes, she’s a little rough around the edges, but it’s obvious she’s smart.”

“I agree with Crystal,” Elsie said.

“Well, if we hire her and she fucks up, it’s on your heads,” Susan let them know.

This was Jewell’s cue to enter. The second she turned the knob, all conversation ceased.

Because Jewell knew that Crystal and Elsie had her back, she calmed down and handled the rest of the interview like a pro. When it was over, Jewell went into the ladies’ room and stood in front of the mirror, wiping her eyes. She cried tears of relief. This was her first real interview, the one that she believed would make or break her spirits, and she knew she did a hell of a job.

Elsie walked in and asked if she was okay.

Might as well be honest, Jewell thought. What do I have to lose? “I’m just nervous. I really need this job.”

“Are you interviewing anyplace else?” Elsie wanted to know.

“I am, but this would be so ideal. It’s close to my son’s school, and like I said in the interview, I’m going to school to become a paralegal. I’ve been on my own since I was sixteen, and that alone should show you that I’m smart and able to work well under pressure.” Jewell was all set to plead her case.

Elsie put her hands up and said, “Listen, I have to get back to the group. Whether we hire you or not, I’m going to give you a couple of pieces of advice. Don’t get offended, okay? I’m talking to you one sister to another.”

“I won’t get offended,” Jewell assured her. She would appreciate whatever she was about to be told, because Jewell was on a mission to better herself.

“Well, for one, you need to dress more professionally. The bodysuit has to go. Actually a simple blouse and a skirt, pants if that’s your preference, would be better. Simple shoes, not stilettos, are more appropriate in a professional workplace. And when you walked through the door, you were chewing gum. Throw it out before you enter the building. Also make sure your hair is neat. Pull it back if you have to.” Elsie grew quiet and waited for the blowup.

It didn’t come, because Jewell wasn’t upset. She appreciated the advice that was given. “Thanks.”

Two days later, Jewell received a call from Elsie. “We’d like to offer you the position.”

Of course, she accepted. That was over six months ago. She planned on staying with them for years to come.