Totally Clueless

Chapter 57

"Where?"

"An apartment complex up north...I've been here since Monday..."

"And?" Horace drilled impatiently.

"Well, one of them has a Job in town, the other seems to be searching, he seems miserable for the most part, but he's searching. He visits a few places in town, and he visits the old woman everyday since I've been here, helping her out with whatever he can..."

"That's got to be Josh," Horace mused.

Atticus continued.

"I just now followed him to an office complex in town. He went inside. I think he has a job interview today, he's been inside for a while."

He stayed on the line while he waited and just a few minutes later he continued.

"He's out. He looks pleased, what do you know...maybe he got it. He's getting in his car, driving away. I'll follow him..."

"No, not yet..." Horace said. "Go inside the building and see what he did. If it's an interview, make sure he doesn't get that job,"

"But Tony..."

"Do what I tell you, do whatever you have to do. He doesn't get the Job. He doesn't get any job."

Horace dismissed the guilt that formed in the pit of his stomach and convinced himself he was doing what was best for everyone.

"Yes sir,"

Atticus did not understand why Horace would want to do such a thing, but he did as he was told. He always did what Horace told him to do.

It was around Reid's lunch time when Josh stepped into the cramped internet cafe. He was just about to head out for lunch when he saw Josh step in.

"So how did it go?" He asked anxiously.

"I think I got the job, If come in tomorrow ready to work means I got the job, then I got it."

They contained there excitement until they were outside then they let it all go, like boys did. Loud and excited and crazy. That job meant their ticket home.

Thursday morning at 9am, Josh reported to work just as he was told. He went in to see the owner.

"We're sorry Josh but the position is no longer available."

He felt like he'd been sucker punched in the gut.

"But yesterday you told me I got the job, and I start today,"he replied.

"We no longer need anyone. Where did you say you were from again Josh? "

"Why? Josh asked him curiously.

"Never mind all of that, it doesn't matter because the job is no longer available."

He left with a heavy heart.

He didnt know if he was fired on the first day or if he was even hired to begin with.

He continued his search that day. Luckily two more interviews fell into his lap. One of them had to turn up something positive.

But it didn't.

The same thing happened on both occasions. He seemed to be a fit at the interviews  but the follow up calls on Friday turned out to be unexpectedly negative. What were the odds?

Pissed and frustrated he spent his Friday evening feeling sorry for himself.

He stared at the brand new disposable phone he was to use to call Chrisy that night. He couldnt make the call. What was he suppose to say to her? There was no good news for him to convey. He was no closer to going home than the day he had kissed her good bye and told her it was all going to be okay.