Maid Service

Shauna Jackson had just walked in the door, when her cell buzzed in her purse. She knew it was her girlfriend Layla. Shauna had promised her they would go out to the club after they both got off work, but after working an eight hour shift at a Wendy's the last thing she thought about was spending more time on her feet. The short amount of time before curfew only gave her so much time, and she also knew money was tight.

Shauna read the text about where and when to meet. She threw herself on the couch and texted back her apology for not hitting the club tonight. She put her feet up and waited for the reply. The entire time she thought about going out for only a couple of hours before having to be back home anyway. Getting ready to go out, only go go back home soon after was a drag she could skip.

When Layla texted back it was not so much a complaint but a request. She knew that Layla was a house cleaner, and made great money cleaning rich peoples apartments. She wanted to do the same, but her criminal record kept her from getting hired. Now; Layla wanted her to take over for a week while she goes on a vacation, without anyone knowing she was covering for her.

The idea of making more money was something she considered, but the company Layla worked flat out refused to even consider her for employment, even with Layla already working there. Layla also needed to get coverage if she was going to miss more than two days in a row. She explain to Shuana that Christine refused to cover her anymore.

Layla texted back that she would get the week's wages for covering for her next week. The money was more than double that of flipper burgers, but she knew if she missed more than a day of work she would be fired; not to mention her Parole Officer would know about it too. Shauna knew the risks were greater than the reward, and texted her back that she was going to pass.

An hour later into watching T.V. she heard her phone buzzing like crazy. Shauna was too tired to reach for it on the table, and went back to flipping the channels. Within a few minutes, she heard a knock on her door. It was then she heard Layla's voice telling her to open up.

Shauna opened the door and let her impatient friend come in. Layla showed her phone to her and spoke up, "You don't be answering your phone. I tried to call to let you know I was coming up."

"What's got you all bothered tonight? Is it 'cause I bailed on you?" Shauna tilted her head as she was annoyed by her friend's demand to be seen right away.

Layla smacked her mouth as she also seemed pissed. "No. It's not about tonight. I really needs you to cover for me for next week. I know you can find someone to cover your shift."

Shauna sat back on the couch and crossed her arms. She wondered why her friend was so worked up on having her clean a client's house. It was not like she owned the cleaning company. Layla was a paid employee. Shauna knew that the company forbids its workers from accepting tips, and there was no real great reward.

Shauna slyly answered back. "Tell me why you want me to cover so bad, and I will ask DaShawn if he will work my shifts next week."

Layla sat down on the couch and opened her purse to fish for a cigarette. "You know that guy I told you about? The one who keeps his place looking like a magazine ad. Well, his place is the only place I want you to clean. If any of the other girls find out he leaves me a tip, I will be fired."

Shauna smiled as Layla's Spanish accent kicked up. She now realized how heated she was about keeping this job, and collecting this guy's tip each day. "So I'mma be keeping that tip while I clean, right?"

Layla lit her cigarette and took a deep puff before answering. "You can keep the pay I make, and the tip girl. Just you be following the rules, when you clean his pad though. Like no talking that hood shit while you're there. Don't be stealing anything, or looking like you gonna steal. And don't be smoking anything neither. You gonna really have to clean the place too."