Chapter 4 Child To Support

Phoebe

"Mommy, are you alright?" I looked down at Abby and wondered what had sparked the unexpected surge of worry. "You seem down."

I'm sorry, honey, I was just thinking too much. I gave the scrambled eggs in the pan a fierce stir. I'm really preoccupied. Are you anticipating today's school day?"

"I am. Is Terran coming to get me after?

Normally, though, I would get the pleasure of picking her up from school because I had nothing else to do. I grinned broadly and said, "No, it'll be me. At least that was a positive outcome from all of this chaos. "Won't that be a pleasant change, will it?"

"Why? Why won't you be working?

I mentally prepared for this conversation by sighing aloud. I probably shouldn't have given Abby the whole truth, but there was no use in keeping something from her. She had gone through a lot and was mature for her age at six. She could manage this. This wouldn't have devastated her either if the dreadful divorce between Marvin and me hadn't.

Mommy no longer works for the motel. There must be another job for me. Staff had to be reduced because the business was losing money.

Before jumping up from her seat, Abby briefly pulled a slightly bewildered expression. This could have been a mistake, and it made my heart sag. Perhaps I ought to have maintained a positive attitude... She offered me a reassuring hug after doing this by encircling me in her arms.

"You're the world's greatest mother, you know that. I'm confident you'll land a job shortly.

I started crying because I was so moved by my newborn child. I had to get away from Marvin for this reason. Our relationship had been nasty and adversarial. When it was just both of us, I didn't notice it as much, but after Abby entered the picture, I understood that I didn't want her to grow up in such a horrible environment.

I sat there admiring her little, heavenly face as she dozed off in her cradle when she was just a newborn. Just hours earlier, Marvin and I had exchanged angry yells. One of those disputes that began over a relatively insignificant issue then grew more and more heated. We had fought constantly during the previous three years, and it seemed like there was no end in sight.

Until Marvin stormed out and declared he would never return.

I realized I had to go at that point. Sadly, that didn't happen all that quickly. I was afraid even though I wanted to and felt it was the correct thing. I had spent so much time with Marvin that the thought of starting again with no money and nowhere to go worried me. I was unsure of how to provide Abby with the greatest life possible, despite my desire for her. It was a dangerous scenario if I stayed, but if I went, I had nothing.

Eventually, when Abby was almost two years old, I mustered the strength to go. I gathered my belongings and fled, simultaneously free, afraid, and thrilled. Sadly, I didn't prepare it well enough, and we quickly ran out of money. We went through this pattern repeatedly until things eventually fell apart properly almost two years ago. When Marvin came back for me, I went a little too willingly.

Although I wasn't pleased with how long it took me to finally take the right step away, things were a lot better now. Before I lost my job, at least, they were.

"Oh my goodness, I'm so grateful. Today I'm going to find employment. When I drop you off at school, I'm going to the library to surf the internet there before I go. I will, at the absolute least, have an interview by day's end.

Abby smiled at me, "I better start getting ready then." To keep you occupied while I'm in school.

You are an angel, I say. I gave her head a joyful head rub. I'll complete breakfast. The eggs will be finished when you get dressed.

I plate up the food as she dashed into her room and a sudden sense of resolve comes over me. I could and would carry out this. That was necessary.

I murmured to myself as I sat in front of the computer screen and prepared to start. Saying "Let's do this."

The elderly man working on the computer next to me questioned, "Did you say something?" Sorry, I mistakenly believed I heard you speaking.

I was so embarrassed that my cheeks burned. I had to keep in mind that I wasn't in the comfort of my own house. Oh, I'm sorry, I was just talking to myself. "I'll try to keep it under control."

While turning my body away from him, I clicked on the employment website. There were several locations to look for a job, but I preferred this one. Not really, it was just simple to utilize. The salaries were clearly listed and it was properly organized.

Naturally, I desired a job I liked, but the truth is that it was purely for the money. For Abby and I to survive, I needed to make sure I had enough money. It was entirely up to me because Marvin steadfastly refused to give me any cash while we were still negotiating the terms of his desired custody arrangement.

I was trying to find a job that matched my skills as I scanned through the advertisements when I felt my heart sag. Since everyone desired cleaners, there ought to be a large number of adverts for them. But it appeared like I had no other options.

I somewhat extended my search, taking into account potential job opportunities. Even though it felt like more and more jobs now required college degrees, I didn't have one. I was unable to provide the necessary credentials for even retail assistants. With every second that passed, the situation appeared more and more hopeless.

I stumbled onto Facebook in a fit of weakness. Because I wasn't in the library to be distracted, I didn't want to, but I couldn't help it. Before my brain blew up, I simply had to turn to something else.

I scanned through the pointless posts about food, new books, and vacation photos as my eyes were glazed over. It wasn't until I found something that would actually be of help to me-a link to a different website with jobs posted there that a friend of a friend had shared-that I finally found something. It drew me in for some reason. Something new had to be tried. It was worthwhile to attempt this because what I was doing obviously wasn't working.

"Cleaner wanted"

The phrases I longed to see were almost immediately apparent to me. Despite the thrill in my heart, I tried not to get my expectations up too much. I had to see the specifics first.

While the owner recovers from an injury, a temporary cleaning position is available for one month. Interview mandatory; experience necessary. There's a chance the position will last for a while.

I needed something much more secure before I jumped in, so that's okay. I pondered it over and pursed my lips as I considered whether it would be worthwhile. My eyes then slid down the page and jumped out of my head at the pay. While it didn't match what employment requiring a college degree paid, it was still significantly more than what any other cleaning job would. It would benefit Abby and me greatly, even in the near run. That was something I required.

I had to give it a shot.

I entered the email address into a blank email after copying it. I submitted my résumé so the employer could see my little experience before I even started writing. Although it wouldn't be much, I hoped it would be sufficient to at least secure an interview. I tend to be quiet, especially around people I don't know, but I knew I could stand out if I had Abby's face in the back of my mind.

I would be forced to!

"Dear Mr. Anderson,

I sincerely appreciate you reading my application. I am grateful for the chance to work with you. I've uploaded my résumé so you may view my previous employment history. As you can see, I've been working for a motel firm for the past eighteen months, which has been a lot harder than working for you will be, I'm sure. I can bring that experience to the job.

I have a child to support, so I'm a hard-working, devoted person who takes my job seriously. I promise never to disappoint you. I will always provide the assistance that is required. I would adore the opportunity to speak with you and go over the job in more detail.

Warm regards,

Roy, Phoebe "

I hoped it was a good balance of personal and professional as I wrote my number at the bottom. I didn't want to be completely uninteresting in my email; I wanted a little bit of me to come through, but I also needed him to know that I would do the job.

I couldn't find any other positions that drew my attention after applying for that one. To be completely honest, the pay that Mr. Anderson was providing was so excellent that I had no desire to go elsewhere. I just really wanted that job.

The elderly man seated next to me shook me, "Miss," to get my attention. "Miss, I just wanted to let you know that your phone is ringing. You are not permitted to use your cell phone in this area.

"Oops." I jumped up and snatched my bag. "I'll just go outside and respond to it."

I didn't even bother to turn off the computer. Before the ringing woke everyone else up, I had to go right away.

I said before I even looked at the number on the screen, "Hello?" Realizing I had no idea who I was speaking to made me shudder.

A professional, deep male voice addressed me, "Is that Phoebe Roy?" "Kevin Anderson," the speaker says.

My body trembles as I hear the name. It was the person who I hoped would hire me. I adjusted my back and tried to look a little more decent even if he wasn't seeing me. "Yes, Phoebe here. I appreciate your calling.

"I have received your application, and I would like to invite you for an interview."

God, oh God! I gushed, "That would be fantastic." I truly appreciate it.

Just so you know, I will be speaking with a handful of the candidates who applied for the position.

Did he really have to? Why didn't he just employ me? "I absolutely comprehend, of course."I'm the top dog! Do not worry about the others, please! I will email you an address. "Don't even interview them, just think about me. Tomorrow afternoon at 2:00, could you be there? Is Manhattan an appropriate location for you?

Naturally, that sounds fantastic. a little bit further than I was accustomed to, but it was OK. "Again, thank you."

I pounded the air in joy as I hung up the phone. It was only one interview out of many, and the position was only temporary with the possibility of becoming permanent, but it was a start. In addition, I was scheduled for an interview, as I had promised Abby. She'd be very pleased with me. I was eager to inform her that I was close to obtaining a brand-new position with an amazing-sounding employer. working in a person's house rather than a run-down motel. It was like my worst nightmare had come true.

Oh God! I looked at my watch and realized I had to get going if I wasn't going to be late to get her up from school. I quickly left the library, completely forgetting that I had left the computer on. I was more concerned about more significant issues.