You Came to Me

2. Phobos

Published: June 3rd, 2021.

Word Count: 2,448

Madrid. August, 1975.

I'm only barely a week into my new job and it has already become an expert in knowing how to cause all of my bones and muscles to ache. I didn't think I'd be starting my new life as a maid, and I shouldn't complain, however, I can tell this job will be the death of me.

I think it was around 6pm when I saw Manolita, the head maid and my new supervisor, in the hallway.

- "Hello, Manolita." I said as I greeted her.

- "Amelia! I've been looking for you." She said.

The first five days of my job I shadowed Manolita and now I've been sent off on my own. She's a kind woman and so hard working I worry she doesn't have a spare second to herself.

- "Oh, can I help you with something?" I asked curiously.

- "I just wanted to let you know I'm heading home for the night, if you have any trouble you can ask Natalia, who will be your supervisor for tonight. You remember Natalia, don't you?"

- "Yes, yes, I remember. I hope you rest well, see you tomorrow."

I turned away from Manolita to begin the rest of my work.

Time in the hotel changes once you step foot inside. A second is a minute, a minute is an hour, an hour is a day, and a day feels like a month. The work is mind numbing, monotonous, and repetitive. I've made more beds in my few days here than I think I have in my entire life, and I'm not an unhygienic person.

Even though I do complain, I am very grateful for my position. The hotel offers its employees a room to stay in, deducted from my already small paycheck, but it was the reason I chose this place to work. My dream isn't to be a maid, but I think of it as a stepping stone for me and my new life, and I was desperate for a place to stay, so I am thankful.

- "Mamá? Are you there?" I heard a familiar voice say in the hallway.

I'm not a mother, but I did step into the hallway to see if there was an issue and I was surprisingly greeted by Luisita, the waitress I met a few days ago at the King's.

- "Hi, Luisita." I said to her with a confused smile, wondering why she was in the hotel.

- "Wow, you remember my name! I actually must've made an impression on you." This was my second encounter with Luisita and she already made me smile again.

- "Of course, how could I forget you?" She smiled at my compliment and we shared a semi-awkward moment afterwards. "Are you looking for your mother? Do you know her room number? Maybe I can help you." I said to end the silence and I was eager to help her.

- "I am looking for my mother, but she works here. Her name is Manolita, I thought she might be working late, so I thought I'd come see if she was staying for longer." She told me.

- "You're Manolita's daughter? No way!" I said with genuine surprise. Luisita doesn't appear to share any of the same physical features as her mother, so I would've never guessed the two are related. "She left for home a while ago." I added.

- "Ah, she usually works late on Tuesday's so I just thought I'd stop and say hi. Do you work here?" She gestured to my navy maids dress with the hotels logo on the right side of my chest.

- "No, I'm just role playing as a maid." I answered sarcastically. We laughed and I continued. "I only just started, your mother has actually been my mentor for the past week."

- "She didn't mention she has a new mentee, I'll have to ask her about you."

- "I hope she says I can make a nice bed." We smiled at each other, her short blonde hair covered part of her golden brown eyes. "Are you off to the King's?" I asked to continue the little break I had taken.