The Fall of Family

Chapter Eleven

After the discovery of my new pet, I sat in front of my dresser, staring at the cage. I couldn't believe Drew, or anyone would do something so nice to me.

After a few minutes of staring at the cage, a thought hit me like a brick wall. Laundromat job, need to make a resume! I got up awkwardly and rushed over to Drew in the living room, where almost screamed at him, "I need your laptop, please give it to me!"

Drew's head shot toward my voice when he, looking startled, asked, "For one, don't do that to me again, you almost gave me a heart attack. Second of all, what do you need it for? I obviously only use it for school, and so will you,"

Brothers.

I ignored his tone and replied, "I was planning to make a resume for a job application. Now will you let me have it?"

He studied me more carefully as he nodded and said, "Sure," and handed me the laptop from across the couch. I thanked him quickly as I ran back to my room, sitting down on the floor in front of the dresser. I opened the laptop and opened a blank document. I took a deep breath and started to work.

After a few hours researching on Wikihow and viewing questions on YahooAnswers, I was finished. I read my finished product over and smiled, knowing I would get the job. I printed it out on the printer and visited my dad again.

I walked into his room and, saw... nothing. I looked around confused and gave the room a double take. I shrugged and wondered where dad was. I walked out to Drew in the dining room, eating lunch.

He looked up from his salad covered in ranch and swallowed the mouthful he had. After he managed to gulp down about half a head of lettuce and an entire bottle of ranch, he asked me, "Are you done with your resume yet?"

I answered back yes and he asked me, "Can I read it?" I handed the paper to him as an answer, sat down beside him and he started to read.

After watching his eyes travel across the paper, I asked him, "Do you know where dad is?" Through another mouthful of lettuce and ranch, he said, "Yeah, he is at McDonalds trying to get a job,"

I smiled as I realized we were getting back on track with our lives. After I saw his eyes read to the bottom of the page, he nodded and said, "I would hire you. Good luck."

I took the paper and yelled over my shoulder, "I'll be back later." I heard a muffled "Mmcay" and closed the garage door behind me.

I got in my car and pulled out of the driveway, almost running into the stray cat of the way. I apologized in my mind and drove to the laundromat downtown.

I turned the radio up so I could feel the base and rolled down my window to the fresh air, smelling of fresh dirt like it was going to rain. I put my arm on the top of the window, like a redneck, and decided to turn the volume so I didn't ruin my first impression already.

5 minutes later, I pulled into the laundromat, turned off my car and walked into the colorful place.

The walls were painted bright orange, with washing machines and dryers covering every wall. I took in all the people and bustle.

I immediately looked for a bright orange shirt. I saw one that looked like he was cleaning a washing machine, I walked over to him and tapped his shoulder.

He turned around to reveal a scrunched up face that only had one eye with a scar covering half of his face. I was taken back and suddenly remembered my question.

"Do... Do you, know where I can find... Ah, someone who works... Here?"

He rolled his eyes slightly (he probably got the reaction a lot) and faced me, "Yeah," he said in a scruffy voice, "I am the manager."

I thought to myself, okay this is good, just ask if they are hiring. I swallowed and spit out, "I just came to ask someone if you were hiring."

He studied my face and replied in a slow, suspicious voice, "Yeah actually, we were running low on employees." His eyebrows raised and he continued, "Do you have a resume with you?" I nodded and handed the piece of paper to him.

He studied it and turned to lean against the washing machine.

I stood there awkwardly as he read it.

I shifted my weight and looked around, this could become my future work place. Was I sure about this, I thought, maybe I am not ready. But we need the money, I need to get this job.

I, more confidently, looked up and saw him reading toward the bottom of the paper. He looked up after finishing it and said, "Your resume looks amazing. Nice work. I am very interested in you becoming one of our employees. My name is Rob, by the way."

I shook his hand as he held it out for me, "Maria," I said, "Maria Banks. If you are really considering hiring me, when would a job interview work for you?"

Rob thought about the date for a little bit, "Would Wednesday at 4 o'clock work for you?"

I was thrilled at the moment, not getting to ahead of myself, I spoke and said, "Yes, that would be amazing! Thank you so much, my family is going through some hard times right now, you don't know how much I am thankful for this!"

Rob smiled as I shook his hand one last time. I turned and walked out of the store, pumping my fist as I went. After that, I went to grab a celebratory ice cream.