The Housekeeper

Chapter 1

       My knees popped as I stood up. Tension quickly released from my body, relieved to not be crouched down any longer. I sighed as I inspected my work. I noticed a small hair laying on the toilet seat cover. I grabbed a dry microfiber rag and swiped it off, noticing a glint of light flash against it as it floated to the ground. That was probably one of mine. I continued to check around the sides of the toilet, and once I was satisfied everything was as good as new, I folded the roll of toilet paper into an intricate triangle as the final touch. I wiped the sweat from my brow as my phone vibrated. I smiled as I saw my husband's name appear on my lock screen.

      "Hey, how's work going?" Ethan sent his usual daily check in text. It was sweet to know he was always thinking about me even though he was probably busy with work himself.

     "Alright. I just finished my last bathroom, it was so disgusting. I'll tell you all about it at dinner." I joked. I saw his text bubbles light up.

     "Let's make a new rule, no work talk at the dinner table." I could hear his tone of voice come through his words, which made me smile even bigger. I heard Mrs. Lewis' front door start to open downstairs.

     "That's fair. Ok, I'll see you tonight. My client just got home so I'm going to grab my check and then run by the store."

    "Ok. I love you."

     "I love you too, hon." I shoved my phone in my back pocket, quickly mopped out after myself, and grabbed my cleaning bucket and started down the stairs.

     "Hey, Mrs. Lewis. Perfect timing, I just got you all finished up." I smiled at her, brushing away a strand of my blonde hair that was stuck to my sweaty forehead.

      She frowned as she looked me up and down. I followed her gaze as I realized she was staring at my old, worn tennis shoes I've had for about nine years. I know I should probably get a new pair, but funds have been tight, and they still hold up. My feet only slightly ache at the end of every work day, so it could be worse. She snapped her disgusted gaze back up to me and extended an envelope over.

      "Here's your check. I will let you know since you're here, I've noticed the quality of your work hasn't been quite up to the standards I am paying you for lately. I took a little out of this week's pay so you can start getting your act together, or I will have no choice but to hire someone else." She huffed. I took the envelope and peeked at the amount, trying my best not to react to the significant decrease. I exhale as I remind myself to remain professional.

     "Look, Mrs. Lewis, I realize you have high standards, and I try my absolute best to meet them. But you can't just-"

    "I pay according to quality. If you're not going to give me that, I will find someone else who will. Have I made myself clear, Danielle?" She cocked an eyebrow, her wicked auburn eyes searing into mine. I gulped, trying to bury my rage. I needed this job, badly, so I just nodded.

    "Good, I'm glad we've had this talk. Now, off you go." Mrs. Lewis dismisses me as she tosses her long leather coat onto her expensive white couch. I grab the rest of my supplies, load up my car, and sit in the driver's seat. I stare straight ahead, not quite willing to put the car into reverse yet. How could she talk to me like that? I have been cleaning for her for a year now, and I've always met her ridiculous demands. 

    One time, she asked me to polish every pair of shoes she owned, which, her shoe closet alone was bigger than our apartment. The next week, I was to clean out the gutters, and it was pouring buckets that day. Then last week, she asked me if I could vacuum her mattress. I normally don't put up much of a fight because again, we needed the money, but regardless, I always did what was requested. I took my check back out of the envelope. I choked back tears as I stared at the audaciously low amount. 

    To be fair, I wasn't getting paid that well to begin with, but it's so hard to find work in a small town. Ethan had just been laid off seven months ago, and after we had lived off all our savings, my small paychecks were what was getting us by. Thankfully, he recently got hired at the local post office, but the starting pay isn't ideal. It's better than nothing I suppose. Still, seeing this amount has me heading towards a panic attack. I put the car in reverse, wanting so badly to get as far away from this house as I can. How could someone have the audacity to be rude to the person that vacuums up their pubic hairs every week? Or has to wipe crusted fecal matter off the toilet seat? Or has to mop up a puddle of Mr. Lewis' urine that never made it to the bowl? A stream of tears floods my cheeks as I make the long drive home, dreading having to retell my day's events to Ethan later. 

   I pull into our one and only grocery store with my list in hand, but after today's check, I quickly mark out the majority of these items and stick with the basics. I suppose it'll be a rice and beans and pb&j week, again. Once I have what's on my list, I run towards the frozen dinner section and grab a couple frozen pizzas, which sound easy and comforting after the kind of day I've had. Hopefully Ethan's was better.