Bring The Rain

Chapter 7

"Thank you for stopping by Ms. Mahnor, I've looked over your application but I'm afraid it doesn't look like you meet the requirements we're looking for here". Ara's heart sank, this was her second interview today and it did not go well. The first was at 'Family and Faith Daycare', the interview was decent and they said they would be in touch within two weeks time but that was a long time to go without a paycheck. This job was the one that Ara really wanted, it paid excellent and had great health care benefits. This was the 'Grace Agency', it wasn't just a daily child care center but an agency that helped working parents find nannies. Ara did lie a little on her application saying that she had at least one year of experience working in a child care environment but she thought that the babysitting she did for years and her newly earned degree would be enough to land the job. Clearly she was wrong about that and she walked out of the manager's office feeling defeated. "I guess I have to find somewhere safe to sleep in my car tonight", she thought to herself. Ara was worried about sleeping on the streets, something she didn't consider while making her plan to leave Javier.
   There was no way she would crawl back to Javier with her tail between her legs but she couldn't sleep on the streets of downtown, it wasn't safe. As she was walking out of the building she walked by the front office where a woman was arguing with the receptionist. "What do you mean you don't have anyone?! I need a nanny right now for this kid!", the tall blonde woman with lip fillers was clearly not happy and Ara was compelled to stop and listen to the conversation. The receptionist looked as if she wanted to slap this woman but she calmly stated "ma'am as I've already told you our center is full and we just don't have enough staff at this time to provide you with a nanny, we don't even have qualified live in nannies working with our agency". The woman huffed and stomped her expensive Saint Laurent heels like a child throwing a tantrum. "Maybe you can try the Chesterfield Nanny Agency, I believe they provide live in child care", the receptionist tried giving her best fake smile to this woman but it clearly didn't help. "Don't you think I've already tried them! They have a waiting list that's backed up for three months!", the blonde woman actually pouted making her fake lips look even worse. "I'm sorry ma'am but there's just nothing else I can do for you here". With that the woman turned and stormed out of the building not bothering to say anything else to the receptionist. She pushed past Ara without noticing her standing there in her fit of anger but Ara's feet were moving faster than her brain was. She had no idea what she was doing but she had to find a job and a place to stay quickly.
   Once they were both out of the door Ara ran to catch up to the woman before she got into her BMW, "Excuse me Ma'am", Ara asked shyly. The blond woman turned her head slightly giving Ara half of her attention "What?", she snapped. "Well I overheard your dilemma in the office  and I believe I can be of service", Ara extended her hand for the woman to shake but she just stared at it in disgust, "How can you help me?". Ara cleared her throat trying to find the right words "I have experience with babysitting and I also have a degree in Early Childhood Education, although the agency isn't taking on any new clients at the moment I am more than happy to help you. I can provide excellent service for your children". Ara tried to smile and look professional but this woman was staring her down, would she be able to see through Ara. "You're hired", Ara couldn't believe her ears, this woman asked no questions and didn't care to know anything about Ara's background before she handed over a job to her. "I have an adopted kid that needs a full time nanny", the woman reached in her designer handbag grabbing her phone, she asked Ara for her number and once she had given it to her she texted Ara some information. "Meet me at that address 7AM tomorrow morning, this is a live in position so bring your things, I need you to be available at all times and that includes night and weekends. Are we clear?", "Yes ma'am, I'll be there!", and with that short conversation the woman got in her car and drove out of the parking lot. 
   Ara was dumbfounded. What the hell just happened she thought to herself. This woman doesn't know anything about me and she just handed me a job on a silver platter. Checking her new phone for the information Ara saw that the address was located in an upscale neighborhood, 'no wonder she can afford Chanel bags and a car like that', Ara thought to herself. I "don't know what kind of situation this is, why would someone allow a stranger to watch their child without knowing anything about them. It didn't matter right now, this must be a gift from God because I need this".
   Ara started her car and made her way to Northside Richmond, it wasn't the best place to be but she would be a good distance away from Javier and she could find a cheap hotel room to spend the night. The thought of sleeping in her car scared her and with this brand new job she could afford to stay somewhere for just the night. She finally found a motel that only charged her $78 dollars for the night, it was a dump but it would do. Ara got her room key and took some food, clothing, and essential items from her trunk. Making her way in the hotel room she locked the door behind her and sat on the bed.
   'I can't believe everything that happened today, I hope this job is the real deal but by working and living that far out of the city Javier will never find me'. She thought about how her day had been turned upside down with everything that had occurred but she had a good feeling about this. Taking off her shoes and clothes Ara jumped in the shower letting the stress of today wash away with the hot water. She sat on the bed eating her dinner of applesauce and crackers, wondering what tomorrow would bring. Before going to sleep Ara put two strand twists in her hair and set her alarm for 5:00AM, she wanted to be at her new job early and make a good impression. "This is all going to work out, I just know it will", and with that on her mind she fell into the first peaceful sleep she had experienced in the last two years.