The Help // Ed Sheeran

Chapter 3 : Let's See Where It Goes

Monday. Monday? It's..... It's Monday?!? Shit! Shit shit shit it's Monday. Oh fucking great Nicole you're losing your fucking shit this is just great. Why am I nervous? It's not like I am going to depend on this job, I don't have to have this job it's something I love to occupy my time. I guess it's just a fear of rejection thing, the fear of not being liked by someone. The fear of someone rejecting my help, I don't know I guess it's just silly. Ok, shake it off woman! You got shit to do. The kids are up, I've got them eating their omlets and their clothes are laid out. "Mom did you make our lunches?" A full mouth asks. "Yes I made you guys tuna wraps and your boxes are already packed hurry and finish eating so you can brush your teeth and get dressed." They quickly finish and go off to finish getting ready. I stuff their lunch boxes and snacks into their bags before they all file into the front room to get into the car. We make it to school early enough for them to have a chat with friends before class starts and I head home to make sure I know exactly where I'm going and get a bit of work done before the interview.

I review and respond to a couple of reports and then get myself ready. What do you wear to intview as a chef? An apron? I guess I could take my apron just in case but I settle on black slacks some simple flats and a simple gray blouse. Wow I might want to add some color to my wardrobe if I get this job.... I write down the address, put everything away, hop in the car and get ready to leave. I punch the address into my gps and it says I should be there about 10 minutes early, ok never hurts to be a little early right? I begin my journey and when I arrive at my destination I don't quite know what to say. Who interviews a personal chef at a restaurant? This is a little bit odd I think to myself but proceed inside with my apron folded neatly in my bag just in case. Upon entering I'm greeted by a friendly hostess. "Do you have a reservation?" "Oh um no? I don't think so, I'm supposed to be meeting someone for an interview." "Oh yes are you early? Someone called and said they were conducting an interview here and would arrive in ten minutes." "Just a little," I laugh nervously and smile "I'll just wait outside. Thank you!" She nods and smiles as I walk outside to wait. I sat in my car checking my emails and responding to anything needing my attention and then sneak a peak at social media. I browse lazily through family members' timelines and smile at photos of my nieces and nephews, ugh I miss those kids. I close everything out and look at the time, noon, right on time let's get this done. I hop our of my car and head inside, this time a tall slender man with dark hair that's beginning to gray a bit standing in front of the hostess. The hostess looks up and smiles pointing towards me "That's her right there sir." The man turns to me and smiles extending his hand to me "Nicole?" I smile taking his hand for a shake and nod. "I'm Mark, would you like to grab a table?" I smile and nod "Yes sir, its very nice to meet you Mark." He smiles and we follow the hostess to a cozy booth, I slide into the booth and position myself across from him folding my hands in front of me. Could you calm down already, if you are so ridiculously nervous he's going to notice and it will be ruined. "So let's get into it then, tell me about yourself." He says smiling across at me. "Well I'm a single mom who loves cooking in her free time. I have a job where I work at home but I've got a lot of free time while tje kids are at school and felt this would be the perfect thing to occupy my time." He nods at me taking a sip of his water and says "This job is cooking for two people, they aren't really picky but they are no good and cooking and don't really have much time to prepare meals." I look at him a bit confused but nod "Oh ok, so it is not for you? I'm a little lost." He shakes his head laughing "No no no this client is a little bit of a high priority client and so I am doing to the interview." I just nod "Ok I see, well pardon me but why are you interviewing a personal chef in a restaurant?" He laughs louder this time and nods "Yes this is a little bit of a silly meeting place innit?" I laugh slightly and nod "Just a little I'm sorry for being a bit forward but I just had to ask." "Oh no I appreciate it most people don't have the gall to ask these questions." I bite my lip and nod "Got a bit too much of it sometimes." He smiles and gives his order to the wait and I follow suit. After a bit of silence while we eat he looks up at me and smiles "You're hired, I'll text you the address later." "Thank you so much Mark!"

Wow, ok so I will be starting this new adventure that I know absolutely nothing about. Well I guess I'm just going to see how this goes.....