NO JOB TOO

Evelyn's Pov

I stood outside the hospital, the early morning air caressing me. It suddenly felt cold outside, colder than when I had arrived earlier. I took out my phone from my pocket just to see a message from my boss in my email.

That's weird.

I checked the date and, it wasn't my pay day yet. so, what could the message be about?

I opened the message and my heart dropped to my stomach.

‘You've been released from your duty here at Cole's Restaurant. Your paycheck would be wired 48 hours from now.’ I read through in my mind.

I didn't know how to react. I had a lot of questions roaming in my head, questions left unanswered. Why? What happened? Did I do something wrong?

My phone rang, distracting my attention. My phone has been buzzing a lot since today. Could this day get any worse? I looked at the screen and it was Dorothy calling. I picked it up.

“Hello” I said.

“Hey Eve, how is your dad? I heard his condition is very bad. Are you at the hospital already? How are you feeling?” She asked.

Well, it has the only genuine concern I have received so far except from my mother's. I didn't know what to say. I didn't know how to break the news to Dorothy that I need to raise $350,000 if I want my dad to survive. And worse, I’ve lost my job too.

“I met with the doctor. We were asked to raise up to $350,000 or, he dies.” I said the words, letting it out if my mouth unfiltered and unguarded.

For a moment all I could hear from the other side of the phone was silent. I won't blame her. It did sound so unbelievable how an average family that struggles to raise $35,000 annually is supposed to raise $350,000 for a medical bill in the space of a month. At this point even reaching for the stars felt like something achievable.

“Oh my God!” Dorothy let out a scream from the other end of the phone. “That’s a lot. What are you going to do Eve?”

Honestly, I didn't know.

“I just got discharged from my job. I'm unemployed.” I said, the words leaving a bitter taste on my tongue. It was my reality but it was something yet to be accepted by me. Something that had happened in my life without a proper explanation.

“Come over to my place Eve, we need to talk about this… in person.” Dorothy said.

“I'll be right there. Please, I’m starving. Keep anything edible.”

“Not a problem.”

After hanging up on Dorothy I hailed a taxi. The drive was long but it was effective in clearing my head. “Hey Dorothy, I'm outside your apartment.” I said, staring at the high rise building ahead of me.

“Take the elevator on the 2nd floor, the one on the first floor is under maintenance.”

“Okay… see you in a minute”

I hung up, shoving my phone into my bag as I walked into the apartment taking the stairs to the second floor. I entered the elevator, I wasn't alone, there were two other men in there. The first knock was met with silence then the second knock was interrupted by the sound of the door lock opening from within.

Dorothy grabbed me into her embrace.

I didn't know how to react. I wasn't the one dying or lying in the hospital bed numbness ridden but right now it felt like I was in a much more horrible situation than my father. The door locked behind us.

“How are you doing?” She asked, finally releasing me from her embrace.

“I don't know.”

 “Let's sit.” Dorothy said ushering me to her white sofa close to the dining room. She had a handmade pillow on her sofa, she had gotten one every year from her grandmother in Massachusetts.

I sat down and Dorothy went to the fridge getting me a glass of cold water. I was thirsty…. not for water but for a $350,000 cheque.

“I got the news I contacted my manager at the company where I work. There is a vacancy.” Dorothy started, walking towards me with the glass of water in her hand. “Here, you look pale. Get hydrated a first.”

“Thanks.” I muttered. “Should I be optimistic?” I asked.

“Definitely. I emailed your resume to my manager and he will get back to me soon. I'm pretty sure they'll find a place for you.” Dorothy said, taking a sip of water.

“Isn't it funny how today has been horrible for me? Or was it the vodka I had last night at work that's casting bad luck over me?” I asked cleaning the tears that rolled down my cheeks.

“You're totally fine, there is no such thing as bad…..” Just then, her phone rang and she took it. “I’ve got a response.”

Her facial expression changed after seeing the message and my instinct told me it was bad news. Another bad news.

“Please, read it out to me.”

“But Eve…” I interrupted her.

With a surrender look, she started reading. “Sorry we're unable to offer any position. She has potential but, doesn’t meet the requirements suitable for employment at our company. Thank you for showing interest in working with us.”

And as she read, tears filled my eyes.

“We would sort this out together,” She said, and hugged me tight.