Chapter 1

"You got this," Jessica told herself in the bathroom mirror. She adjusted her pencil skirt and tucked her blouse in. Giving herself one final nod, she smiles and opens the door. She takes a seat at one of the tables, as she was instructed when she first arrived. "Hi, Jessica?" the voice came from directly behind her. She jumped up and turned to locate the origin and found a tall young lady standing in front of her, she had dark skin with beautiful hazel colored eyes. Her braids fell on her shoulders and were wrapped with bright pink strands and beads. Jessica stared at the girl's hand for a moment, and then with both hands, she accepted the handshake and smiled shaking her crazily. Realizing what was happening, she quickly let go and scratched the back of her neck, laughing awkwardly.

"Oh! Sorry about that! Guess I'm just really excited." She smiled and said "That's okay. I am excited too!" She admits to Jessica, smiling widely. "I am Erika. It's nice to meet you! Would you like to start the interview?" Jessica smiled and nodded, then followed Erika through "western" style double doors that came up to Jessica's waist. They walked behind the order counter and Jessica became overwhelmed with all the coffee-making equipment. There was a huge espresso machine, French presses, grinders, and milk steamers. Only a quarter of what she saw was familiar and part of that calculation included mugs and spoons. She swallowed hard, Erika noticed this, "Don't worry, if you receive this position I will train you on everything in the Cafe. Honestly, it's not as hard as it looks." Erika smiled a warm and comforting smile. Jessica wasn't sure what it was, but something about Erika made her feel safe, and seen.

About an hour passed, and the two found that they had lots in common. Erika offered her the job without hesitation and Jessica happily accepted. "You start tomorrow!" Erika told her as she waved goodbye. Jessica floated to the bus stop, she had Mom drop her off for the interview so that she wouldn't mess up her skirt on the bus ride. This one time, she sat on bubble gum. It spread and stuck instantly to her jeans. She didn't find out until her brother saw her at home. "Your bum chewing gum?" He said laughing, it was stupid but it got to her. She boarded the bus and examined her seat thoroughly before sitting. Daydreaming about the new job, she stared out the window and envisioned all of the possibilities. It wasn't long before the bus reached her stop, she thanked the driver and carefully stepped off of the bus. Her house was just a block away from the stop. She walked home and imagined having her own car on the road and maybe her own apartment, too. Jessica would be 19 this year, she's finished school and was ready for a full-time job to kick off her summer. It made getting the job at the Cafe more desirable, and now she met Erika who was super cool too.

Jessica ran into the house and shouted, "I'm home!! Guess what happened to me today!?" but there was no answer. "H-e-l-l-o?" She shouted once more, awaiting some kind of answer. But nothing came. Curiously, she wandered the house popping her head through doorways and peeking around corners. There didn't seem to be anyone around. Maybe I'll see if Tom's home yet! She thought, running to the house phone. Tom is Jessica's boyfriend and her best friend. He was registering for summer camp today like he did every year and for the first time, without her. He and his father left early to get him registered and sign up for activities and stuff. Camp is pretty far away, this meant that Tom would be far away, too. Jessica felt bad about breaking their tradition, she wanted to support him, not discourage him from what he enjoys.

Dialing his number into the keypad, she patiently awaits his answer. The line buzzes as it rings. I wish I had a cell phone. She thought to herself, waiting for a response. The line went dead, and feeling defeated she hung up the phone. Suddenly, it rang. "Hello?" She answered urgently. "Oh! Hello? Carol, I've been trying to reach you-" The woman asked looking for her mother. Embarrassed, Jessica cuts off the woman calling. "Sorry mam' but my mother isn't in right now. I'm sure she will be back soon!" She said, hoping it was enough to free up the line. "Oh? What's that? Well, all right then." The lady responded hanging up. Jessica sighed and placed the receiver back down. There was immediately another ring. I didn't mean that soon. She thought to herself debating on answering. Relentlessly, she picked up. "Hello?" She asked kindly, "Hey, bumblebee. I saw you called the house, what's up?" It was Tom, calling her by the nickname he gave her over 2 years ago on Halloween when she dressed up like Odlaw from "Where's Waldo".

She lushed on and on about her day and the job and how excited she was, but as she was about to ask him about his day and camp, he was pulled away suddenly. "Hey, sorry but I got to go. I can call you tomorrow, how does 7 sound? Okay, I'll see you!" And then the line went dead. Flabbergasted is the only word she could think of to describe her feelings. Did she do something wrong? I guess I did kind of ignore his feelings by avoiding asking about camp. She shook off this sudden feeling of despair and ran up the stairs to her bedroom. Removing her "office" attire, she decides she will take a shower. She can hear the door open and shut downstairs. Must be Mom. She thinks to herself, finishing up quickly. Hopping out, she can hardly contain her excitement. Drying her hair, she screams over the banister "MOM!". But no one responds. Putting on her bathrobe, Jessica makes her way down the stairs still drying her hair.

"Hey, ding dong." Oh great. She rolls her eyes finding Derrick leaning against the wall eating a banana. Upset that it wasn't Mom but mildly amused with what she witnessed, Jessica heads back upstairs to her room. I wonder where Mom is. She thinks to herself as she walks up the stairs. Entering her bedroom, she is greeted by modest meows magically made mysteriously by mutinous Mindy - her calico. A++ for alliteration! She awarded herself mindfully. "Mindy! Where are you, sweetie? I can hear you, but I can't..." She trailed off as she noticed a blanket ball struggling to escape. "Hold on silly!' She said as she unfolded and unraveled the mess of blankets. Out popped a small orange and black colored fluffball with hints of white on the face and paws. "Mindy!" She cooed lovingly, taking the small cat into her arms for a cuddle. Cradling her beloved, she giggled as little paws lightly gripped her face and released it sweetly. She rubs her nose with Mindy and then places her down on the bed, back onto the blanket trap.

The door opened once more and Mom's voice echoed up the stairwell. "Jessica? Derrick? I brought pizza, who's in?" Her Mom moved to the kitchen and placed the pizza boxes down on the counter. Excited to share her news, Jessica hopped up, threw on her favorite pair of jammies, and ran down the stairs. "Mom!" She shouted, running into Mom and Derrick talking in the hallway. "Woah, slow down sister!" Mom said to her laughing and reaching to grab Jessica's nose. "Mom! Stop!" She yelled at her dodging her grabs. Sticking her tongue out at Derrick, she looked at her Mom and opened her mouth to start talking but instead, received a slice of pepperoni pizza. Scowling and chewing at the same time, she glared at her mother in disbelief. "I got you something." Mom said winking at Jessica. Suddenly, she was excited again. "I noticed how uncomfortable you looked in your pencil skirt today, and I know they don't provide uniforms there, aside from the apron... so I..." Mom gestured to the brown paper bag Jessica just noticed was sitting on the table. The logo FB was written in cursive on the bag in black letters. Fancy Boutique! Jessica thought to herself. Peering inside, she saw black clothing folded delicately beside equally delicately folded linens, only in white and a lovely creamy-pearlescent color.

Jessica swooned over the new clothes. She looked at her Mom, overcome by emotion her eyes began swelling as tears began to form. Mom panicked, thinking maybe she didn’t get the job after all. "Well, you know, and if you don't get it then I'm sure there can be other events you can wear these to. It's not all work clothing like it's pretty fashionable, at least I think.". Realizing what was happening, Jessica reassured her Mom. "Don't worry Mom! I got the job! The hiring manager was so cool! She liked me a lot and she's having me start tomorrow!!" Her mother's face went from ecstatic to concerned. "What's wrong?" Jessica asked. Her Mom gawked her head back and forth between Jessica and the clothing, knowing what must be done Jessica hugged the back and mouthed the word, 'no'. Her mother huffed and then laughed at her as she stole the bag away and ran down the hallway "All right! If you need me, I'll be in the laundry room!" she called from down the hall. Choking on her pizza, Jessica yelled after her, "But I didn't even look at them!!" Disappointed and anxious, she gobbled down more pizza. "Don't worry, Mommy still dresses you the way you l-i-k-e-y." Derrick mused at her in a childish voice.

She made a face at him and decided to peek at Mom in the laundry room. Hoping to catch a glimpse of her new clothes. She couldn't wait to design her outfit for the first day of work. She slides in her socks down the hall and manages to pass the opening to the laundry room. "You're too late," Mom says calmly as she folds towels. Jessica pops her head in the door frame and sees the clothing dancing around through the washer door. "Where're the pants?" She asked curiously, Mom winked and smiled. Not saying a word. Jessica rolled her eyes, hugged her mom tight, and thanked her. "I love you so much! Goodnight!" She said and then kissed her mom on the cheek. She made her way up the stairs to her room, and Mindy welcomed her once again. Jessica felt weird not being able to prepare any outfit or get something ready for tomorrow. This was her routine, organize her day, pick her outfit, and cuddle with Mindy. She sat on her bed petting Mindy and staring at the walls, trying to avoid digging through her closet and making a mess. She tapped her feet nervously. I know Mom has good taste, and I LOVE what she buys me… but is Derrick right? She thinks to herself, It is my first day at a new job… I'll just sleep on it and get up early enough to pick something else if I need to. She crawled into bed, snuggled up with Mindy, and went to sleep. Excited about what tomorrow will bring.