Comfortable Chaos

Chapter 22

Note: Thanks for reading my book. Please take a moment to leave a comment. I greatly appreciate it.

Brandi

Welcome to The Patton Agency.

Good news! After I hung up with Andre, one of the jobs I applied to sent me a response−the one for the associate position. They gave me a list of times and they wanted me to pick one to come in for an interview. I'm so happy. I really need this opportunity. Hopefully, this job will be better than the restaurant one. I'm scheduled for the eight o'clock am slot. Now all I had to do is figure out what I'm going to wear, which is a little bit of a hurdle.

The unfortunate fact of running away from home at the spur of the moment is that you don't have a lot of time to grab many clothes. So, I don't have a lot of choices for the interview. I managed to convince Andre that I needed to go to the closest thrift store and find something to wear. He's still salty about me quitting my job so quickly but that was the only thing I could do. I didn't like it there and I felt I should leave before I got fired for punching somebody in the face. I picked out a skirt, a blouse and some heels. The whole outfit didn't cost more than eighteen dollars. I'd be lying to you if I said that I was 100 percent happy with the clothes I bought but I see this as a means to an end. This is temporary.

So, today is the day of the interview. I'm up bright and early, ready to get this job. We need it. Andre asked me if I wanted him to drive me to the interview but I passed. I'm driving myself because I don't need him messing up my mood. I want him to keep his attitude at home and let me focus on getting a job. I'm determined to find a way for us to get more money.

Another reason I don't want him killing my mood is because it's my birthday. Yep, happy birthday to me. I'm officially sixteen years old. It'd be great if I were shown some favor and got this job. I want to believe that this new year in my life is going to be a turning point for me. It already is, in a sense.

The directions they gave me were fairly easy to follow. I passed the street once and had to circle back around but I finally made it. I park the car and say a quick prayer. Looking up at the skyscraper with black glass, I marvel at it. The building looks so modern and business-like. I glance down at my outfit, wondering if I'll fit in. I push my insecurities back down and walk into the building.

When the elevator door opens on the fourth floor, I'm greeted by glass doors. The letters on the door read The Patton Agency. A secretary sits behind a wide white desk. She wears a cream, sleeveless dress. Her hair is pulled back into a blond ponytail. Her makeup looks like she put it on a few minutes ago. Stuffing my insecurities down again, I open the glass door and she immediately shoots me a Crest white smile. Her emerald green eyes twinkle in the florescent office lights.

"Welcome to The Patton Agency. How may I help you?" she asked, maintaining her smile.

"Um. I have an appointment, an interview scheduled for eight o'clock," I said.

"Okay. Sign in right here for me." She points to a sign in sheet. Once I finish writing, she hands me a clipboard with a couple of sheets on it and pen.

"I need you to complete this application. Let me know once you're finished."

I nod and walk over to the lily white couch to complete the forms. The secretary picks up the phone, dials and says a few muffled words, while I work on the application. It asks basic questions. Name, address, phone number, previous work experience. I opt not to put down the job at Mister's. I wasn't there long enough for it to make any real difference. They also ask if I am at least eighteen years old. Of course, the answer is no but I don't want to put that and be cut out of a much needed job. So, I check yes. I finish up and return it to the smiling secretary.

"Thank you. Ms. Patton is ready for you. I'll take you back to her."

The secretary stands up and walks in front of me, swaying her hips back and forth to the tune of the tassels on her gold fringed belt. I follow her down to the door on the right side of the hall. She opens it to let me in. I walk into an office with plush carpet and an awesome view of the city. The secretary places my application on the desk. On her way out, she nods, smiles and closes the door behind her. I'm nervous as I try to make out the figure sitting in the executive chair. At first, all I can see are business jacket sleeves. The back of the chair faces me as I wait for the figure to turn around. Finally, the figure slowly swivels around to greet me.

"Hello." The woman stands up and pulls at her business jacket. She walks around her glass desk, exposing slightly thicker calves. If I had to guess, I would assume that Kim was about a size ten, a sleek size ten. She has mostly black shiny hair with a few strands of gray, neatly pulled back into a bun. She is polished, yet in a down-to-earth kind of way. Kim kinda reminds me of that lady from the 70s - Pam Grier. She extends her caramel colored right hand to me. "I'm Kim Patton. Pleased to meet you."

I extend my hand and she shakes it.

"Brandi, right?" she asked.

I nod. "Yes, ma'am."

She chuckles and wags her finger. "Oh. No need for that. You can call me Kim."

"Okay."

"Have a seat." She points to the chair in front of her desk.