Where's Daddy?

Trying To Move On

I entered the drug store and noticed the woman behind the counter. She looked around thirty years old. Her crow's feet gave it away. Her firey red hair matched her personality. "Excuse me?" She had been moving around and looking every where, but I finally got her attention. "Oh, I'm sorry. May I help you?"

"Yes. I would like to apply for a job here."

"Yes! Of course! I will get the application. It will take about forty minutes, so if you need to find a parking spot or bring in your purse you may now."

"Okay. Thank you." I jogged outside in the rain and unlocked the car. I opened the back door to find Dalilah asleep. I hate having to wake her up just so I can bring her into the store, but I don't want to leave her in the car in this neighborhood. "Come on, Dalilah." I whispered. I picked her up and rushed her inside, trying to cover her head from the rain. When I got back inside the woman had put the papers on a table in the corner. I set Dalilah down once we got inside and tried to wipe her clothes to get the water off. We walked to the back of the store and sat at the table. "Would you like me to watch her while you finish the application?"

"Oh, yes please. Dalilah, Mommy has to do a test right now but you have to go with this lady until Mommy is done. Okay?" She nodded her head as she rubbed her eye. The woman grabbed my four year old's hand and they walked to the toy section.

After about thirty minutes, I was finished with the application. I normally finished tests quickly but not ten minutes early! I was scared that I had skipped something or didn't read everything, but I gave it to the woman anyways. "Oh, thank you! Come. We will go to the front counter." I picked up Dalilah and followed the woman to the front. She set the papers on the counter and I brought out my ID. She grabbed it and studied it. "Okay" She paused to read the card, "Ashlyn. How old is your adorable daughter?" She looked up and smiled at Dalilah.

"Can you tell her how old you are?" I nudged my nose on Dalilah's head. She sat straight up and put up her four fingers. "I fou'!" I smiled and kissed her forehead. Apparently the woman enjoyed that, because she chuckled. She handed back my ID. "And how old are you? I like to place people, according to their age, in a position that would make them most happy."

"I'm about to turn 21, actually." Dalilah started to slip off my hip, so I jumped her back up. The woman's face had no emotion. "Okay. Thank you." She sounded so monotone. My smile slowly started to disappear from my face. "Alright, well. Could you call me as soon as you can to let me know? I'm trying to find a place for us. My father keeps accusing me of things I didn't commit, so I left his house. My life is just hectic! So I would need to know as soon as possible." I tried to lift up the mood.

"You might want to apply for other places, as well." Her face was lifeless.

"Okay, well. I was going to anyway, but I was hoping I wouldn't have to."

"Well, you never know these days." I slightly raised my eyebrow, but put it back into position.

"Alright, um, thank you!" I said as I walked out the front door. The bell on the door rang as I opened it. I jogged back to car trying to shield Dalilah from the pelting rain drops.

Sales Clerk's POV

As she left the store I picked up the papers. I watched to make sure she, nor her daughter, could see me. I slowly dropped my hands below the counter. I ripped the papers in half. Then in quarters. I turned to throw the papers in the trash. No way in hell will I let a teenage mother work in my store. I thought to myself. The next customer rang the bell as they opened the door. I shoved the papers to the bottom of the garbage and turned around. I slapped a smile on my face. "Hello! May I help you?"