🥀In Loving Memory🥀

Chapter 13

"Did you guys get paid enough when you worked?" Huelene inquired. 

"Not really," Huey replied, "since we were struggling to pay off everything else." 

"I soon discovered the harsh reality of the workplace: you don't receive as much respect for working in certain areas because of who you are," Huey added.

"What! What happened?" Huelene asked, concerned. 

______________________

I believed Jazmine and I was catching up on things after a period of working together. However, because I was bored and nosy at work, I would occasionally listen in on my coworkers' conversations. They used to talk about all the things they would buy once they got paid. And I found that unusual because I was always too busy paying bills and putting money aside for school and groceries to buy anything. 

These guys were talking about buying fancy automobiles, watches, shoes, and cologne, going out to lunch with their girlfriends and wives, staying in hotels, and attending football games, among other things. 

I know that doesn't seem like much, but it struck me when they said they were paid $30,000 annually. And, while that may not seem like much in today's society, it was enough to pay bills, put money aside, and not go hungry or without necessities at the end of the month. 

I was pissed off because I was getting paid half of their salary. 

What the fuck was I going to do with $15,000 dollars a year? 

My tuition cost almost half of that!

Sure, I could pay for bills, food, and other important things, but it barely got me and Jazmine by during the month. If it weren't for us flirting with the people who collect money from us we'd be homeless by now. 

Jazmine and a few other nurses were being underpaid. Of course, the doctors would be paid more than them, but there were male nurses who came in and were paid more than the female nurses. And, according to Jazmine, they put forth more effort than the male nurses and doctors combined.

Even the female doctors would be paid less than the male nurses, and they worked higher than them. 

I remember Jazmine and I both came in from work that day, and we were pissed off. We minded our own business when doing our night routine and then it got to a point where we had to talk it out.

She was laying in bed with her nightgown on, wearing a pair of glasses a decreased patient gave to her, and she was reading a book called "Princess Daisy".

When I got into bed, I started to observe her posture and facial expression. She was mad and stiff!

Jazmine was gripping her book as if she was about to break it.

It got to the point I was concerned for her. Because the only one in this relationship that should be scowling like that is me. It's natural for me to have that facial expression, but, Jazmine?

There was definitely something wrong with her!

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"Nothing!" she sternly answered.

There's something wrong!

"Are you sure?" I asked once again.

"Huey, I'm fine, let's just call it a night and go to bed, so we could prepare for work in the morning," she exclaimed, getting mad when she said the word 'work'.