What an indignation, Jessica thought. To be inspected from head to toes, like a mule before being purchased, or a mare to be bred. They even told her to pee in a cup, all this for a freaking job?
.
I guess this is what life is all about she mused, the fun, adult version. Although she had just turned seventeen a few months ago, she was saddled with very adult responsibilities. Foremost, to keep a roof over her head, and for her 12 year old brother Jose.
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I guess this is what life is all about she mused, the fun, adult version. Although she had just turned seventeen a few months ago, she was saddled with very adult responsibilities. Foremost, to keep a roof over her head, and for her 12 year old brother Jose.
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Her illustrious evening job entailed taking food orders, as well as the cash handling in a Mexican chain restaurant. She was on her feet 8 hours, with only a thirty minute reduced meal break.
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She’d rather skip the beans, as seeing how the food handlers used their fingers to contain the refried beans in the foam container. Besides, the perpetual smell of the beans boiling, and the broiling carne asada, permeated her hair, clothes, and skin. She'd had enough of it. Yet, it was available cheap food, and she did not have to worry about cooking dinner. Jose just had to reheat the leftovers in the microwave for his dinner - and that was that - end of story.
She was no Supergirl. While struggling to stay awake in class, juggling full time work, and plagiarizing homework and notes from her best friend, she could not care less about cooking. Corn flakes were fine too; why get so technical about food which turned into crap anyway?
- “Hey, aren’t you going to school today? It’s already 7:30 am. WAKE UP!" Urged Jose.
She was no Supergirl. While struggling to stay awake in class, juggling full time work, and plagiarizing homework and notes from her best friend, she could not care less about cooking. Corn flakes were fine too; why get so technical about food which turned into crap anyway?
- “Hey, aren’t you going to school today? It’s already 7:30 am. WAKE UP!" Urged Jose.
- “Close the door, and mind your own business! Hey, eat your cereal and get going Jose, I’m too damn tired today, plus I didn’t study for a test, I’m sure I’m going to fail it. JUST GO!” Jessica said this while submerged under the covers.
- “Man, I feel sorry for the poor sucker that marries you with that temper.” Jose quickly shut the door, before a flying object reached its target.
Jessica stared at the ceiling for a long time. Wondering if this was they meant by depression. She did not feel like getting out of bed, or washing her teeth, or cleaning the apartment. “It’s all so overwhelming…my teenage years have been robbed by circumstances beyond my control. I am this close to dropping out of high school. I can’t keep missing tests, and expect to pass. Fuck it.”
Jessica stayed in bed for a few more hours feeling lethargic and unmotivated. Later, she got ready to leave to go to the market, and do some errands. She made a mental note to get tonight’s lotto ticket. Her phony identification came in handy many a time. As she was locking the front door, she encountered John, her ancient neighbor across the hall.
- “Hello Jessica, no school today?” he asked.
Jessica stared at the ceiling for a long time. Wondering if this was they meant by depression. She did not feel like getting out of bed, or washing her teeth, or cleaning the apartment. “It’s all so overwhelming…my teenage years have been robbed by circumstances beyond my control. I am this close to dropping out of high school. I can’t keep missing tests, and expect to pass. Fuck it.”
Jessica stayed in bed for a few more hours feeling lethargic and unmotivated. Later, she got ready to leave to go to the market, and do some errands. She made a mental note to get tonight’s lotto ticket. Her phony identification came in handy many a time. As she was locking the front door, she encountered John, her ancient neighbor across the hall.
- “Hello Jessica, no school today?” he asked.
- “Oh, hi John, just that I wasn’t feeling too well today.”
- “I’ve been meaning to ask you, is anything the matter? I haven’t seen your dad in a long time it seems, and I knocked on the door the other evening, and Jose would not open the door. Is your father O.K?” John asked.
- “Sure, he’s been working overtime, double shifts you know.” She said while avoiding eye contact.
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- “I see. Please know that if you need someone to talk to, or need help, I am here for you and your family as well.”
- “I see. Please know that if you need someone to talk to, or need help, I am here for you and your family as well.”
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- “Thanks, we’re O.K.” she said.
Jessica put on a new coat of lipstick. Why bother she thought. The hair net really made her feel sexy. Especially when those stuck up girls came to eat, and flaunted their latest fashions, and their pirated Prada bags.
- “Hey Jessica, love the hair, sort of like the aunt Jemima retro look.” Said Becky, a girl who graduated two years prior from her same school.
Jessica put on a new coat of lipstick. Why bother she thought. The hair net really made her feel sexy. Especially when those stuck up girls came to eat, and flaunted their latest fashions, and their pirated Prada bags.
- “Hey Jessica, love the hair, sort of like the aunt Jemima retro look.” Said Becky, a girl who graduated two years prior from her same school.
- “Thanks for the compliment, what can I get for you Becky?” Jessica said tersely.
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- “Hmmm, just two medium cokes, and two orders of carni asada plates.”
- “Hmmm, just two medium cokes, and two orders of carni asada plates.”
- “That will be $16.60 please.”
- “Sure, here, keep the change.” Becky said, as she plunked a twenty and a ten dollar bill.
- “Wow! Why the generosity Becky, did you win the lotto?”
- “I just work smart. No need to slave for minimum wage. Here’s my number. If you ever get tired of slaving over caldrons of beans, call me. I can set you up with the easy money.”
- “Really? What exactly does this entail?” Jessica inquired, mildly curious.
- “Simply that you can earn as much as you want, depending how far you are willing to go. Simply means not giving it for free, but being well compensated for your company. There’s even a guy I know who pays good money for some rough play. Are you still a virgin Jess?”
Jessica blushed profusely. While Becky and her girlfriend, laughed amusedly.
- “Well, my dear Jess, I know of a guy who will pay you $1,000 dollars for your virginity. He’s kind of weird, but hey it’s no big deal. Besides, it’s just like getting your ears pierced. Just a little sting, and that’s it. Think about it, and call me.” Becky winked as they made their way to find a table to sit at.
Jessica was dumfounded, her mouth still gaped open from what Becky had suggested. A thousand dollars! Holy shit! Jessica went about getting the order through, and filling the drinks, while thinking. No, that’s crazy. Not like she was saving herself for the love of her life. She simply did not want to emulate her cousin Lupita, who had a baby at 15, and curtailed her liberty, in exchange for diapers, formulas, and food stamps.
No way was that for her. Her art teacher always complimented her sketches. Told her she had innate abilities. Jessica imagined sketching gorgeous fashions, even working in Paris or Milan one day. Her reverie was rudely interrupted by her supervisor Hector.
- “HELLO! Stop your daydreaming and take those plates to the tables! He yelled.
Jessica was dumfounded, her mouth still gaped open from what Becky had suggested. A thousand dollars! Holy shit! Jessica went about getting the order through, and filling the drinks, while thinking. No, that’s crazy. Not like she was saving herself for the love of her life. She simply did not want to emulate her cousin Lupita, who had a baby at 15, and curtailed her liberty, in exchange for diapers, formulas, and food stamps.
No way was that for her. Her art teacher always complimented her sketches. Told her she had innate abilities. Jessica imagined sketching gorgeous fashions, even working in Paris or Milan one day. Her reverie was rudely interrupted by her supervisor Hector.
- “HELLO! Stop your daydreaming and take those plates to the tables! He yelled.
- “Fuck you! Jessica mumbled to herself.
- “What was that? Well after you’re done serving, get the mop and mop the floor and the bathroom as well!”
- “Fuck your mother too, Satan’s fart.” She mumbled to herself.
To be continued…
To be continued…
