The night went by with a sense of security I haven't felt since childhood, the early morning sun brought joy in through the windows and I awoke feeling more blessed than a man fresh born again.
Oma stayed true to her words and made the phone call that would surely change my life.
She explained it to me over rye toast, yolky eggs and dark brew coffee.
"I got ahold of an old friend I used to play bingo with, he's a foreman of shipping company not to far from here, do you have a drivers license boy?"
"No ma'am, I'm sorry."
I let my head fall down, feeling just about useless, most jobs want men who can drive, and I've never even sat behind a wheel.
"Now don't get all down on yourself, I'm sure you're more than capable of loading boxes into trucks, Marty Taylor said he'd find a place for you in his factory, and I have no doubt that he means that, but I need you to be vigilant and understand that I've stuck my neck out for you, so don't go blowing this opportunity."
"Yes ma'am, I'll be the best damn worker Mr Marty Taylor has ever employed, you'll see!"
"You've got spunk, I can see that, but don't getting cocky on me either, also don't be expecting a free ride, I'll let you live here, you're gonna need a hot shower and a place to sleep in order to show up to work proper, the only thing I expect in return is help around the house, I'm getting up there in years, my trip to the grocer is getting harder, let alone taking the garbage down or scrubbing the tub, you'll be doing a lot of work in this household, but I got a feeling we're gonna get along just fine."
"Thank you, as I said before, I don't shy away from work, and I'd much rather be a hard working man worth his salt than I would be on the streets."
YOU ARE READING
The all American Pauper
AdventureWatching rich folk gorge on fine cuisine was a grim reminder that I was going to die.
