The Summer Of 1993

I Just Knew

I had just gotten home. It was around three. I put Maddie in her crib. The phone rang.

"Hello?"
"Susan? This is Stephen Richards and you filled out an application today?"
"I did."
"Well, I looked at your qualifications and I wanted to stop you, but you left. Do you have time to have an interview?"
"Like today?"
"Like now."
"I have to ask.  I havre a baby at home."

Mom was reading and I told her I had an interview at Arby's. She said she would watch Maddie. "Better go, you aren't making any money. I will watch Maddie." So, I got dressed up and drove to River Center Road for an interview. Stephen looked like Robert Redford. He was nice. He made me laugh. I was dressed as if I were going to the Law firm. I explained I worked at one, and he was very inquisitive. "It was a lot and school. I have a daughter and I am raising her by myself and it just did not give me the time with her." He seemed intrigued with everything I had to say. He asked to see Maddie. "She's a beaut! Where's dad?" I explained in a version where I had a fling and she happened and the dad just never came back. He seemed like a nice guy. I was sure he was married, had a nice home and family.

Nonetheless, I was hired. They were glad to have me, but sisters began to ask, "Why is someone from a top law firm working at Arby's?" I told them it was too much with school and it kind of was, However, that day, I had an odd feeling I was going to end up with Stephen, I was given a uniform and was to work the breakfast shift 6-2, 5 days a week. I had evening classes. However, the sisters all knew, but since I was just a whore in a firm and it didn't have much to do with the sorority, they just told me to be on the straight and narrow. However, my single days would sound be over.

It was another dinner, another inquisition.

"Did you find a job today?"
"I did. I will be working the breakfast shift at Arby's."
"Well, gotta make some money for your girl." Dad was STILL pissed.
"I know."
"A bit of humble pie, but maybe a reminder that you were utterly stupid."
"I know dad. I never will have good things again. I will be a restaurant worker for life."
"Probably so. Do you know what your little escapades havre cost me? Do you? 'Oh, your daughter was having threesomes and blowjobs at the firm'. Do you get it?"
"I'm sorry. I didn't know and it made me feel pretty."
"It made you seem like a whore! Not only me, but your reputation is damaged, I went to lunch at the bar association and there were whispers. At least I have clients who remain, but this isn't just a problem for you."

I took Maddie, ran to my room, and cried. When I get enough money, maybe some trailer park would take me. I could get a shitty apartment. Linda would watch Maddie. She watched her for $10 a day for me. The phone rang, it was Jamie.

"How are things?"
"My dad hates me. I 'ruined' his reputation."
"Well, he is just hurt. Probably more hurt for you. What you do or have done will come back to you."
"I just got a lot of stares when I was out looking for jobs at law firms."
"It will pass.  Maybe not in the next few years but it will pass, doll."
"Thanks.   I will look smashing in my uniform."
"Susan, stop."

    So, the next day at five am, I got dressed and learned how to make breakfast sandwiches and how to run the  cash register.   The district manager said, "She's cute.  Put her in the register at lunch."  

    "You're firing right in," Steve said.
"Thanks."  If I could have cried I would have.  

   Steve counted my drawer.  He asked me questions here and there.  He was hitting on me.

    "So, what does a pretty girl like you do when you get off work?"  He asked.
"Get my daughter or go to school depending on when my classes are.  Mondays and Wednesdays are my six o clock class.  Tuesday and Thursday I had morning classes so I was the 12-8 girl.  This was my life.  

   I went and got Maddie.  Linda said, "I am sure glad she is back.  When she gets school age, you can use my address.  I love her to death."
"Thank you."
"How is the new job?"
"Different."
"You'll be okay."

    I thanked her, got to my car and cried and cried and cried and cried....