Double Or Nothing (Sequel To Double Standards Part 2)

Crashing Down

Samantha

Stuffing my books into my bag I hurried out of class to meet Demarco. We was going to grab a quick lunch before he dropped me off at work. Jumping in the car I rammed a kiss to his lips. "Hmmmm babe, I've been waiting to do that all morning. I do believe I just aced my test too".

"That's my girl" Dem said squeezing my thigh.

"Now what does my cupcake want to eat?"

Crinkling my nose I said "let's just hit a sandwich deli. I want something lite".

Demarco drove us to the most elite, high dollar deli in the city, even though we passed several small dives. I've come to notice that about Demarco, everything had to do with money. The more the better, the nicer the better. Everything had to be the best of the best, simple wasn't good enough.

I'm more laid back go with the flow kinda chic. Money and high end lifestyles doesn't impress me. He could have got me a hotdog from off the street vendor and I would have been just as happy. Now I was stuffed in this fancy deli that definitely didn't have the deli atmosphere. Instead of ordering just a simple turkey on rye, now I had to choose between organic and paleo. No chips here, no way. I was given a choice of broccoli or carrot spears. Sometimes you just want the unhealthy choice.

But it was all about quainty not quality with Demarco. The bigger the name the better. He's even started buying my clothes from upper end department stores. Yes their nice and I'm grateful but I love the small second hand shops and the charm they offer, or the strange little boutique' s that would go unnoticed by the normal person's eye. You know the ones that offer health crystals, inscence, sage and lavender bundles. Yes, that's me, the hippy.

Demarco hates when I go there. Went as far to say it was unacceptable, but hey that's who I am.

We sat down to our sandwiches and chatted. "Okay Demarco I know this quaint little dive in downtown I want to treat you to tomorrow. You Get these metal skewers and place raw meat and veggies on it. Your table has a burner on it so you cook it over the flame and there's all these wonderful dipping sauces".

He gave me a blank stare and just said okay. Way to show enthusiasm there buddy.

Eventually we finished up and Demarco dropped me off at work. Walking in with a smile I saw my boss Pete.

"How's it going Pete?"

"Good Sam. Would you mind stepping into my office for a moment?"

"Sure, no problem".

I stepped into Pete's small, cluttered office. "Is everything okay?"

"No there not Samantha. I'm sorry but I've got to let you go?"

I almost laughed but then I saw that he was serious. "Why, have I done something?"

"No, I just need to make some cuts, business is slow these days".

Not believing this was happening I said "Pete I'm your best worker. I go above and beyond, work over when you need me, I'm never out or late. Why are you choosing me?"

"I'm sorry Samantha. It was a tough decision. I have your last check waiting in you".

Numbly I took my last check and walked out. I chose to walk home instead of calling Demarco. I needed to me to think and cope. As I walked the tears came. I just didn't know why this happened to me or what I was going to do now. I turned my phone off and crawled in my bed.

One in the morning I heard a pounding on the apartment door. I assumed my roommate answered because Demarco stormed into my room towering above my bed like a mad man.

"The fuck Samantha. I've been waiting outside your work only to find out you wasn't there and your phones off. The hells going on?"

Setting up I hugged my knees to me. "I'm sorry Demarco". I started crying. "I was fired today".

Demarco sat down beside me. "What?"

"Yep. I really don't know why either. I was a good worker".

"Don't sweat cupcake. I can get you a job with mom".

"No Demarco. I don't want any handouts. I didn't deserve to be fired. I keep racking my brain to figure out what I did wrong to deserve this. Guess I'll be job hunting tomorrow"

"No Samantha. You'll come to work for my mom".

"No Demarco. I don't want a job given to me because I know someone. I want to earn the job, be chosen because I'd be good for it. I'm going job hunting tomorrow. I have bills to pay".

I noticed a irritated glint in Demarco's eye's but I was to wrapped up in my own misery to address it.

After class the next day I put several applications in and was feeling a little better until I arrived home. There stuck to my door was a eviction letter. Rereading I slid down my door and just sat on the cold cement steps. Why was all this happening? I always paid on time and I wasn't disruptive. I couldn't even cry anymore, I was all cried out.

Hearing Demarco's car pull up I barely glanced up. "What's wrong cupcake?"

I waved the papers at him. "I just don't understand any of this."

"No problem cupcake. My new apartment will be ready in a few days. You'll stay with me."

"No, no, Demarco. Nothing's right about any of this. This shouldn't be happening. I want to see the complaints on me. It's bullshit. I'm going to fight this. I even seen a for help sign in the window at work today. How can he fire me for not having enough work only to hire someone the next day? Even if I have to get a lawyer"

"Cupcake you can't be serious. It's not worth all the trouble. Just move in with me and take the damn job I offered that has better pay"

"Demarco you don't understand. I don't want easy. Just listen to me. None of this is right. Something doesn't add up, and damn it I'm going to find out what it is."

Storming in I left Demarco outside on the steps. I wish he could be a little more supportive of me right now instead of offering easy solutions. Yes I know he's trying to help but....