“I don’t even know what college I want to go to.” Amber puts her head back down. I almost roll my eyes before I realize I’m being insensitive.
“That’s good, though! You have choices, babe,” David says, and I start to tune them out. People like Amber and Bo can do whatever they want with their lives after high school. Their parents will pay for them to figure it out. I’ll probably have to get a full-time job I hate right out of school. That way me and Cesar can come out to Mom, and I’ll be able to get a place for us if we get kicked out.
Honestly, as scared as Amber is, I’m terrified everyone besides me is going to be successful and leave me behind. I’ll probably end up working at a call center and hating my life, like my mom. Actually, scratch that. She doesn’t hate her life. Mom worships everything about this country, including her shitty job that has her barely living paycheck to paycheck, even with me helping. The best thing I can do for my future right now is save up, which would be a lot easier to do if I could find another job.
At this point I’ve applied everywhere I can possibly walk to from home or Slayton. Still nothing. I need a break and I don’t even have a job yet. Job hunting is its own job, honestly.
I put my head down and join Amber in her sulking.
“What’s wrong with you?” Bo asks.
“Now I’m bummed about money. I need a better-paying job.”
“Have you tried the Taco Bell right here?” David suggests.
“I tried everywhere,” I say without lifting my head.
“What about somewhere at the mall?” he says, still rubbing Amber’s back.
I shake my head, since for some reason he thinks I haven’t already thought of any of these ideas.
“Oh!” Bo slaps her hands on the table. “You should work for my mom! She’s been looking for a secretary for all her lawyery stuff.”
My head pops back up. That I did not think of. “How much does she pay?”
Bo shrugs. “I don’t know. Call her after school and see.”
Amber groans loudly again, and everyone goes back to comforting her.
As soon as I get home from school, I get to work filling orders and call Bo’s mom while I work. If I’m weaving bracelets while I talk, maybe I’ll be less nervous. I weave faster.
“Hey, Yamilet, what’s up?” Rick answers the phone.
“Hi, Mr. Taylor.” I’m trying to sound as professional as possible, since this might turn into a phone interview. “I’ve been looking for another job, and I heard Mrs. Taylor needs a secretary?”
“Oh, yeah! You want the job? Say the word and I’ll fire her current secretary.” He laughs. How can he laugh about firing someone?
“Oh, sorry, no, don’t do that. I didn’t know she already found someone.”
“It’s fine, I’ll do it right now! You’re fired!” A slight pause, then he’s using a different voice. “Nooo! I have a family!”
“Um . . . okay . . .” He’s so awkward sometimes, I don’t know how else to respond.
“Sorry, sorry, bad joke, I know,” he says after a little chuckle.
“Wait . . . does this mean I have the job?”
“Hold on. Emma! Phone!” he calls out, and there’s a bit of shuffling before I hear Emma on the line.
“Hi, Yamilet. Sorry about that. Rick’s been helping me out while I look for someone. So, you’re looking for a job? Do you have any experience?”
“Yes! Right now I’m working as a social media and marketing manager for my mom’s jewelry business. Bo told me you might need some help, and I’m interested in the position!” I don’t mention that I spend 99 percent of my working time making jewelry. I’m guessing there won’t be a lot of that in secretary work. “I know I’m still in high school, but I promise I’m a really hard worker!” I add desperately.