The Assistant

Chapter 1

Donna POV-

Somewhere, something went wrong. After years of huge responsibilities of taking care of 2 younger siblings, being the black sheep of the family for an unknown reason, mental abuse, physical abuse, I left. Do not get me wrong, I haven't left the state, that would be unrealistic seeing as they couldn't trust me with $5, I left the horror house I lived in for 22 years.

I used to live in the poor side of the The Big Apple. My parents were two alcoholics that decided to have not 1 but 3 children that they couldn't take care of. All my life all I knew was how to take care of children, without a degree or even a high school diploma, my chances at being hires to do anything but clean toilets are 0 to -100. But I am fine with cleaning a toilet as long as it provides me with money to put a roof over my head where I can bring my little siblings to stay with me.

Walking the streets of New York, I am looking for a job. After 5-6 shops that refused to hire a homeless "child", 7 restaurants that closed the door in my face because "I was there to steal their food", I am slowly giving up hope. I am trying, but there is nothing out here for me. I do not know how to use a computer, I barely know how to write grammatically correct, so any job that requires me to do that is out of the question. Due to years of being broken down to a shell of a person, all I can do is listen to orders and do as I am told, while keeping my head down and not to complain.

I entered a corner coffee shop which had very few customers and sat on one of the chairs, making myself look small and not disturb anyone. I am cold, all I have on is thin leggings and a zip up sweater and this coffee shop provides warmth just for a couple of minutes until I can continue my job hunt.

..

"Miss, hey Miss, come one, are you okay? Miss?" someone whispered in my ear. Jumping away from the strangers voice and curling on the corner of the booth, I looked up to see an early woman looking quite concerned at me.

"Here, drink this. It's just a black tea." the lady kindly handed me a take away cup to drink. She took a sit right across from the looking at me with curiosity all over her face.

"Thank you Miss. I am sorry for falling asleep in your shop, I promise, I will leave." I replied quietly, scared she would shout at me for being here for so long without purchasing something. Slowly sliding of the chair to take my leave.

"Child, please sit. I didn't wake you up so you can leave. You were shaking and looked extremely pale. I just wanted to make sure you are feeling okay, if we need to take you to the hospital or something. Where are your parents? Do they know you are here?" she quickly stop me in my tracks.

If someone ever saw a ghost, I do not think they would be as pale as me hearing someone as me about my parents. To be honest, I didn't have anyone to interact in general my whole life except from my family. I didn't have a reason to be concern when someone asked my about my family. But now.. it seems like I cannot run away from my past. Taking a sit back in front of the lady, I let my hair cascade in front of my face.

"Oh child, I am sorry, where are my manners. My name is Barbara and I am the owner of this lovely shop. What is your name?" she said whilst putting her hand in for a handshake. That is what people normally do, but me being not so normal, I flinched and started shaking. Her eyes went wide as an onion and I could see the emotions playing on her face. Surprised, scared, confused, anger and the last emotion, I couldn't make out. She let her hand slowly fall back on her lap and opened her mouth to say somethings, but decided against it.

"Hello Miss Barbara, I am so sorry for the intrusion, my name is Donna." I whispered back as quietly as I could.

"Donna, lovely name for a beautiful young lady. And what are you doing here Donna?" she replied after some time, trying to find her words.

"Sorry Miss, I was job hunting for a couple of hours and spotted this shop and came in for 5 minutes so I can get a bit warm. I am really sorry for falling asleep, I promise it won't happen again." I put my head back down after replying to her. I am indeed sorry for falling asleep and being a problem for them. I just came to warm up before I spend another couple of hours trying to find a job.

"Child, please, you didn't cause any troubles for us. How about we go into my office and have a chat about that job that you are looking for?" she said whilst standing up and pointing to the back of the shop. "Do as you are told" went through my brain. Nodding my head, I followed her back to her office.

"Take a seat." as she was closing the door behind me. Looking around, there as a small desk with two chairs in front for guests I think. Slowly moving towards those chairs, I slowly sat on the edge of the chair, slowly going into fight or flight mode. More like flight or flight more with me.

"I can already guess why and how you ended up here, so I won't pry to much into your background. How about I help you find a job and somewhere to stay for tonight hmm?" she offered whilst trying to look at my face. She is offering me help to find a job?

"Ma'am, I really do not want to be a burden to you. I can take my leave and I promise you won't see me again. I will manage on my own hopefully." I said.

"Now child, I am more then aware that you are capable of finding yourself a job, however, I would like to help. I have been in your place, I know how hard it is now adays to find some place to rest and some food to eat. How about you wait here until I finished closing for today and then we can take our leave and I am more then happy for you to come over and sleep for a few nights in my guest room." she replied, offering me a huge amount of kindness with her words.

She stood up and put a file in front of my face after telling me to complete it so she can have an idea at what I am good at and what job she can offer me. That doesn't seem so hard to do. My name, simple. My birthday, simple. My telephone number, I do not have that, but I made a mental note to get one as soon as I can afford it. My email, what is that? Is that somewhere, where they can sent me letters? I don't have that. My address? Can I write homeless?

Going thought every question, I realised I do not know any of the skills that are written here, I do not understand half of what this document is about and that it might be a lot more difficult to find a job that will accept someone without experience or general knowledge in life basically. All I know is, cook, clean, wash laundry, keep my mouth shut, make myself scares when people visit and do as I am told.