Unlikely Love

The Interview

It was a beautiful day in New York City, a place of wonder and delight. And also runaways, thugs, and sewer rats... But there was a nice breeze that blew through woman's hair. The humidity was just right, and the hot sun didn't seem so hot. It was almost perfect.

Couples lie in the grass, looking at the clouds and smiling. Kids were running around the streets, trying not to be late for their classes. The busy business men and woman were jogging to bat be tardy to their very important meeting. The homeless people strummed their guitars happily, hoping for a good amount of money to buy them a fresh meal for the week.

Yes, the streets were full of cheer and rush, but not everyone was enjoying their time in New York, New York.

———-

"Sidney, get up!!" Rue exclaimed, angrily. Sidney was the kid she adopted illegally.

"I don't want to!" The ten year old complained. Even though Sidney was old enough to stay home alone, Rue wasn't taking any chances.

"GET UP!!" Rue demanded, and Sidney groaned. She got up muttering, "Fine, Mom."

Rue just rolled her eyes. She was late for her interview at the old antique shop, and she couldn't afford to miss it. She didn't bother dressing up, though. She figured she would have to wear a uniform anyway, if she got the job.

Rue didn't want the job, she needed it. She watched Sidney get ready as she thought about her life. She looked at the dumpster of her home (it was two dumpster put together to form two walls against a hotel wall, with blankets and cardboard boxes all over for mattresses). Sidney threw on her small, old, and stained sweater and her torn shoes, and started walking with Rue to the streets.

Rue looked down, sad that this was her life. She was certain that she was important, but her life wasn't going the way she had planned. In no time, though, they were at Grandma O's Unique Antique.

A tall woman greeted them. "My name is Courtney. How can I help you?" She looked Rue and her companion, and hinted disgust. She quickly forced a smile and waited patiently for Rue to answer.

"Umm, I'm Rue. This is Sidney. I have a interview here, and umm, I am a little late. Also, I hope you don't mind if I brought her along, she's my sister," Rue lied. Sidney was everything but her sister.

"Okay... Well, Journey Corks is in the back, she is the manager. She will interview you. Good luck!!" Courtney smiled, and walked back to behind the counter as a man walked in. "Hello! Thank you for choosing Grandma O's Unique Antique. My name is Courtney. How can I help you?"

Rue walked to the back of the store, hoping to find Journey. When she did, she repeated what she said to Courtney. Journey smiled and set down the necklace she was looking at.

"Rue, huh? Did Jennifer tell you where I was?" The elder woman asked. She looked about sixty, with her grey hair in a bun, and her orange tee shirt with jeans.

"Who?" Rue asked, confused.

"Jennifer!" Journey answered. "I guess I am not the only one with hearing issues. JENNIFER!!"
When nobody came to her aid, Journey walked over to the front desk. "Jennifer!" She exclaimed to Courtney.

"It's Courtney, m'am," Courtney corrected politely.

Journey stared at Courtney in disbelief. Rue walked up to the front desk and reminded Journey about her interview.

"Oh, yeah. Okay. Let's go. She picked up a clipboard and a pencil and led Rue to the Employees Only part of the store, leaving Sidney with Courtney, who didn't seem happy about that. "There are ten questions."