by La Jill Hunt
“I am here for you, Kayla.” She felt her friend reach and rub her back. The women embraced each other and Kayla knew she would be okay.
“Happy Mother’s Day, Mama.”
“Hi, baby. I told you I’d call you. How you feeling?”
“I’m fine, Ma. I wanted to call because I’m about to go to the store and I didn’t want to miss you. You know how you think I’m dodging your calls.” Kayla laughed.
“That’s because most of the time you are.” Her mother laughed. “Your father just asked had I talked to you. Hold on, I’ll get him.”
“Mama, no. I told you I’m about to leave out. I will talk to him later,” Kayla said quickly. “I just wanted to tell you Happy Mother’s Day and I love you.”
“Love you too, Kayla. But you better talk to your father soon. No use putting it off.”
“I will, Mama. Bye.” Kayla hung up the phone and headed to the door. She wanted to get a paper and go through the classifieds.
“What do you want?” Kayla asked as she flung open the door.
“I been trying to call you, Kayla. I called your house, your cell. You gotta talk to me. Where you going?” Craig asked her as she closed the door behind her.
“No you didn’t! What business of it is yours? I certainly ain’t going to see your wife and your son, though maybe I should.” She walked toward her car, Craig right on her heels.
“Kayla, I am so sorry. I was gonna tell you, but—”
“Save it, Craig. I don’t even wanna know what you were gonna do. I can’t believe you got a wife and a kid! Where the hell were they on Valentine’s, huh? What? Did you take down all their pictures and hide all the toys?”
“No, I mean, that wasn’t my house, Kay. It was my brother Darryl’s crib. He’s a sport’s agent and he was working. Avis and Nigel were gone out of town for the weekend.” He looked down as he confessed. “But we are having problems. We are actually filing for a separation. It’s over between her and me. I promise.”
“You don’t have to promise me anything, Craig. What we had wasn’t even that deep. Believe me, there is no love lost here.” Kayla looked at him like he was crazy.
“I need for you not to say anything about this, though, Kayla. Now do you see why I don’t need the stress of a baby? You are gonna be teaching at the academy and . . .”
“You can stop right there. Not that it’s any of your business, but I no longer teach at the academy, so me running into your wife at the school is the least of your worries.” Kayla folded her arms and glared at him. She could not believe she liked him at one point. He was pathetic.
“But I don’t need for you to tell anybody, either. If she finds out, she’s gonna haul my ass to court for real. I’ll do anything, Kayla. Please rethink this shit. Don’t do this to me. Don’t have this baby.” He began to shake his head at her. “I can’t take this stress.”
“Get the hell away from me, Craig. What you should be worried about is how you’re gonna pay child support to two different baby mamas. If you gonna be stressed, be stressed about that. Because you are really gonna have to pay me to keep our ‘little’ secret.” Kayla got into the car and pulled off, leaving Craig standing in the middle of the driveway with his mouth hanging open.
10
Kayla was determined to get a job and get one quick. She knew that it would have to be one with benefits because she would have to be out on maternity leave, preferably with pay. Theo, who was Tia’s new boyfriend, worked for an insurance agency and told her they were hiring. He passed her resume on, but Kayla had not heard anything and it had been a week. She found out the Human Resources person’s name and decided to go see her in person.
“Good morning. Hunter Davis, please,” Kayla told the elderly security guard. “Okay. And you are?” He smiled and reached for the telephone on the cluttered desk.
“Kayla, Kayla Hopkins,” she answered.
He mumbled into the receiver and then hung the phone up. “She’s in a meeting. Leave your number and she’ll call you back.” Kayla looked at her watch and saw that it was quarter to ten. She didn’t feel like leaving her resume anywhere else or filling out any more applications. She took a deep breath and walked back over to the desk. “If you don’t mind, I’ll wait until she has a moment to speak with me.”
“No, I don’t mind. You can sit right over there.” He pointed to a leather sofa in front of a table full of well-worn magazines. Kayla went and picked up a subscription of Better Homes and Gardens. The lobby was pretty much empty and remained that way with the exception of an occasional courier dropping off or picking up a package.
“You want me to try her again?” the security guard asked her for the third time since she had been waiting.
“No, you’ve already left two messages. I’m sure she will be out soon,” Kayla told him.
“Well, it’s twelve o’clock and I’m about to go to lunch. I’ll be back in a half-hour. You need anything?”
“No, thanks. I’ll wait.”
“Suit yourself, ma’am.” He came from behind the desk and went through the glass doors separating the lobby from the remainder of the building. At one point, Kayla thought about calling Tia and having her call Theo to let him know she was in the lobby. No, he did what he said he’d do. Now it’s up to me. She sat back and reached for another magazine. Soon, the guard returned and found her still waiting. Several employees began entering and exiting the building. Checking her watch again, Kayla’s stomach began to growl. Maybe I should go and get something to eat and come back.
“Ms. Davis, this is the young lady that has been waiting for you all day,” the security guard quickly said to a tall, attractive brunette as she came through the doors.
“Ms. Hopkins, you’re still here? But it’s after two.” She looked surprisingly at Kayla.
“I decided to wait until you got a moment. You can go to lunch. I’ll wait.”
“Nonsense. By all means, you’ve waited long enough. Come on back.” She used a keycard and she and Kayla stepped through the glass doors and onto the elevator. They rode to the third floor, walked down the corridor, entered a door labeled Human Resources and then went into Hunter’s office. “Have a seat. Can I get you anything? Coffee, soda, water?”
“Water, if that’s okay.” Kayla took a seat and hoped her stomach was not growling loudly.
Hunter reached into the small refrigerator located beside a file cabinet and took out two bottles of water, passing one to Kayla. “Believe it or not, calling you is on my to-do list for this week. But our district manager came into town and announced that we will be developing a new division and that has the entire place going crazy.”
“I can imagine.” Kayla nodded.
“I have reviewed your resume and I see you are a teacher. I am a former teacher myself, but I got burnt out.” Hunter sat down and opened a file folder on her desk.
“That is the point where I am now,” Kayla explained. “I definitely need a change. “ Kayla looked deep within herself and told Hunter everything she thought the woman wanted to hear. She had prepared herself mentally for this interview and she was determined to get a position. She had to. She had to get herself together. Getting a job was just the first step in that direction.
“Well, Ms. Hopkins, you certainly are what we are looking for here at Atkins and I will definitely be calling you in the next month or so,” Hunter said.
“In a month? I need a job now, Ms. Davis. I can’t wait a month.” Kayla felt her heart beating faster and her breath quickened. Tears began to well into her eyes.
“I’m sorry, Ms. Hopkins. The hiring for the new division won’t be until then. As a matter of fact, our last training class starts on Monday afternoon and it is full.”
God, please help me. I have a child to provide for. Open a door for me. I need this, Kayla prayed in her heart.
“I can start Monday, Ms. Davis. Please, just give me a chance,” Kayla pleaded.
“But today is Thursday. You would need to have a
drug screening and security clearance. That takes about a week to complete and today is Thursday. The head of security works half days on Friday and he does not take kindly to being rushed.” She looked at Kayla sadly.
“Please. I will take care of everything I need to by Monday.” Kayla was beginning to cry at this point.
Hunter looked at her and Kayla could see the wheels turning in the woman’s head. She stood and reached into the file cabinet, passing Kayla a pack of papers. “Call this clinic and see if they can take you this afternoon or first thing in the morning. You need to be back here by noon tomorrow for your security paperwork.”
“Huh? You mean . . .” Kayla began.
“I respect your resilience. You have the courage to go after what you want. We need that here at this office. Welcome to Atkins.” Hunter stood and extended her hand to Kayla. Kayla threw her head back and laughed. Thank you, God.
“Thank you, Ms. Davis. I won’t disappoint you,” she said as she shook her hand.
“I’m sure you won’t,” Hunter told her.
The next day Kayla looked around the small security office as she completed her paperwork. There were several TV monitors transmitting different entrances to the building and the parking lots as well. She watched employees pass by the screens and was grateful that she would be among them. She had rushed over to the clinic, completed her drug screening and made it back to the Atkins Agency at precisely twelve o’clock.
She looked over onto a small table and noticed other pictures with names on them. There were several other women and a few men; one in particular was a big, cheesing, dark-skinned man wearing a sweater vest with a paisley bow tie. The name on his picture was Terrell. He looks happy to have a job, Kayla laughed to herself.
“In your haste to accept the job, I didn’t get a chance to tell you exactly what department you would be in, the hours, your salary or your benefits. I guess we should take care of that, huh?” Hunter said as she collected Kayla’s paperwork.
“I think we should.” Kayla smiled.
Hunter told her about the customer service position that she was hired for and went over the thick benefit packet. “Now here’s what the starting salary is, but there is a ten percent night differential because the hours are from noon until nine. After a year, you will be reviewed for an additional salary increase based on merit.”
“I need to tell you something,” Kayla said quietly.
“What’s wrong?” Hunter looked concerned.
“I’m pregnant.”
“Congratulations. When is your due date?” She smiled.
“November twenty-first.”
“Well, that works out perfect for you. Your ninety-day probation will be up and you will be entitled to two months paid maternity leave. Now you can take up to a year, but only the first two months are paid. We love giving baby showers around here. Gives us a reason to eat cake.”
“Wow.” Kayla thanked Hunter for all she had done and walked out of the building happy that she was once again fully employed.
11
“I can’t believe you quit one job last Friday and you got a new one on this Friday,” Yvonne said as she looked through the sale rack. It was Saturday afternoon and she had taken Kayla to brunch to celebrate her new job, and then they had made their way to the mall.
“Believe it, girl. I just got it like that.” Kayla faked a vogue pose.
“So, what about the music store?”
“I had to quit. The hours were conflicting. But with the new job, I make more money than the two jobs I was working anyway. Do you like this?” Kayla held up a cute, green sundress.
“I sure am gonna miss that discount. Yeah, that’s cute.”
“I’m gonna miss it too. I think I’m gonna try it on.” Kayla took the dress and went into the dressing room.
“Let me see it?” Yvonne called out to her as she was trying on her fashion disappointment.
“No. It’s too small,” Kayla pouted.
“Too small? But isn’t that a twelve? I thought it would be too big.”
As Kayla was coming out, she bumped into a woman coming in. “Oh, excuse me.”
“You need to watch where you going,” the familiar woman said as she brushed past Kayla without looking. Oh, no she didn’t. And I know that trick from somewhere, too. Kayla tried to remember where she knew her. Avis, Craig’s wife.
“Do you have this in a bigger size?” she heard her call out to the salesperson.
“I’m sorry, ma’am, a twenty-two is the largest that comes in.”
“This must be mislabeled or somethin’. It ain’t fittin’ right.”
She came out of the dressing room and Kayla saw that they were holding the same dress. She could not resist walking up to the counter next to the woman. I wonder why she didn’t recognize me? It doesn’t matter, but it’s a good thing she doesn’t. Kayla decided to have some fun.
“I think she’s right, ma’am. I know I’m a size ten and this eight is too big for me. I think they are cut big. Come on, Yvonne, let’s go over to the petite section.”
“You are crazy. She looked mad as hell.”
“She ain’t mad as she gonna be. I can’t believe her fat tail. Try to disrespect me ’cause she weigh nearly three hundred pounds and can’t fit in the dressing room. I see why Craig leaving her big behind. Let’s get out of here and go get some ice cream.” Kayla grabbed Yvonne’s arm. She looked around to make sure Avis was gone.
“That’s why that dress was too little.” Yvonne laughed and followed her girlfriend out of the store.
The following Monday, Kayla entered the training room and sat at the round table. There were a few people already seated and she smiled as she spoke to them. There were snacks, soda, and water in the center of the table and the guy whose name she remembered was Terrell, was sitting across from her. The training class was scheduled to begin at twelve thirty and it was quarter after. As other people came in, she recognized them from their pictures. The trainer entered and introduced herself and they began. Finally, after about two hours, the trainer called for the first break. Kayla gathered her bag and went into the break room along with some of her classmates. She found a quiet spot outside and sat down. She looked up and saw Terrell looking at her.
“You can come and sit with me, Terrell. I promise I won’t bite.” Kayla smiled.
“I know how you women are. I ain’t trying to get caught up in a harassment charge. You know I’m a prime target, being the only brotha in the class.” She laughed as he sat down, and they talked until he looked at his watch and announced, “We gotta get back.”
The first week of training went by fairly quickly. Kayla and Terrell hung out together during breaks and lunch. He kept her laughing and amused her with his tales of being a mack, or so he said. Every time she talked to one of her girlfriends, she had to tell them what Terrell had said or done. He was intelligent, funny, street-smart and respectable. He knew when to speak up and when to shut up. A lot of guys hadn’t mastered that skill nowadays. And to be as thick as he was, he could dress his tail off. The boy had style and class.
“Okay, is there something going on between you and this Terrell dude that I should know about?” Yvonne asked her one night on the phone.
“No, Von. It’s nothing like that. We are just real cool, that’s all. Come on, now. I’m pregnant. What do I look like trying to holla at another nigga? That’s like adding fuel to the fire. I got enough problems with Geno and Craig.”
“I was just asking. You seem awfully excited when you talking about him. And as sneaky as your ass is, I have to ask or I’m the last to find out.” Yvonne smirked.
“Terrell and I are just friends, Von. He’s like the male version of me. I mean, we think alike, and he always has a story to make me laugh,” Kayla explained. It was like everyone assumed that she had something going on with Terrell. The truth was, he was just what she needed right now: a friend.
12
“What’s up for tonight, Ms. Kayla?
You know it’s Friday and the club will just be jumping when we get off. You down?” Terrell asked.
“I’m going home and fall out. It has been a long week and I am tired to death,” Kayla said.
“Let’s hit Dominic’s. The deejay that’s gonna be there tonight is off the hook!” He started singing, “Can I get a what, what?”
Kayla could not help joining him and started dancing. “It sounds like fun, but I am too tired.”
“Come on, Kayla. Let’s go. You can sleep all day tomorrow.”
“Okay, for a little while.” Kayla shook her head. “I’ll call my girls and see if they wanna come too.”
“Bet. Hold up, are they fine?” Terrell asked.
“Of course they are.” Kayla grabbed her cell and left a message for Roni, Tia, and Yvonne, inviting them to Dominic’s. Everyone agreed to meet at the door at ten thirty. By the time they got off from work, the adrenaline was flowing and Kayla was just as hyped as Terrell to go out.
“Hey, you! Look at you. You look good!” Roni ran up to Kayla and hugged her.
“You are so silly, Roni. You act like you haven’t seen me in months.” She laughed and hugged her girlfriend.
“It seems like it. The job must be agreeing with you. You are glowing,” she said and they went to join Tia, Theo, and Yvonne in the line. Dominic’s was a new club but it was packed. The line was wrapped around the building and seemed to go on forever. They had waited about twenty minutes when Terrell walked up and beckoned for them.
“Where are we going?” Kayla asked.
“Come on, let’s go.” He motioned for her to follow him.
“But what about the line? And I have my friends . . .”
“Come on and follow me. Bring ’em with you,” he said. Kayla shrugged and she and her crew followed Terrell right up to the door. Other people waiting in the line did not seem too thrilled that they passed them. The bouncer saw them coming and immediately opened the door for them.
