Chapter 12: Chapter 12

ONE WEEK LATER

"I told you that you need some rest, Amy. Besides, we can still manage for the next few days with the money that Tris got from his stranger friend. I also have some money from the janitor job I did last week," Kayla explained to her friend.

"I still need to find something to do, Kayla. No matter how small. I can't sit and watch you provide everything alongside that money that Tris brought home. We paid the bills we needed to pay, and the money is almost gone. It's only going to be a matter of time before we go broke if I don't find something doing," Amy said as he put on her heels and tuck in her white long sleeve into her work skirt.

"But I'm not complaining about providing everything. You need rest, Amy," She still protested.

Amy sighed and turned to her friend. She walked to Kayla and placed her hands on her shoulder.

"I know you're not complaining. You've been a good friend to me for years, and I'll always be grateful. But this is not just about provision. You know I'm not the kind of person that lies around doing that. You know how bad my body itches when I'm idle. I promise I'm fine, and I'll always be. I was sick, I know, but now that I'm well, I need to go find something to do with my life"

Kayla sighed and looked away in surrender. She knew there was nothing she would say that would stop her friend from going for the job search.

"Is the company expecting you?," Kayla asked.

"Well...," Amy trailed, leaving suspense to catch Kayla's attention.

"Well?"

"I got the invitation to go for the interview last week, but since I was sick, I couldn't go. I tried calling them, but their line wasn't going. Still, I'm not fazed. Surely, they'll have something in for me," Amy wore a smile on her face.

"Okay, please be careful,"

"I will. You don't need to worry about me. All I need you to do is to take Tris to school"

"I will,"

Amy turned to Tris.

"Be a good boy is school today. And remember - do not collect anything from strangers again. You hear me?"

"Yes, mum," he said.

"Good," she ruffled his hair lightly and have a light wave to Kayla before leaving the house.

"Your mum is workaholic, Tris," Kayla sighed as she watched her friend leave.

****

"I'm sorry, but we don't have anything for you. At least not anymore,"

"What?! That's... That's not possible!," Amy exclaimed in shock and disappointment.

It took her an hour thirty minutes and her last card to get to this tech company.

Two weeks ago, she applied for a vacancy of a secretary, even though she'd never worked as one, and she didn't go to college. Surprisingly, she was called and invited for an interview the next week, but unfortunately, she fell very ill. For a whole week, she could barely place her feet on the ground and walk. She couldn't taste anything she put in her mouth. The doctor checked on, and gave her medications for fever.

Thankfully, she got better and she decided to pay them a visit immediately. To be honest, she lied to Kayla. She was nowhere near fine. Throughout the ride, she was feeling nauseous. She dozed off twice in the bus. She was also feeling very dizzy, but did a good job keeping it together.

But how disappointing could it be that she'd spent so much money, and gone through all that stress, only to be rejected.

"Ma'am, please check again. I was supposed to come-"

"We've both checked together. You're Amy, not so? Your name is on the list of people we invited for an interview, but you didn't show up on the D-Day. Thirty-five other people came for that particular spot, and only one person could the job. Mind you, all this happened last week"

"You told me that already, and I'm really sorry for not attending. But I was really sick. It's a miracle I'm standing here. That should count for something, right?"

"I'm sorry, but there nothing we can do. The spot is gone already," the young receptionist her age replied with a huff and went back to her laptop.

Amy sighed, wearing a face of disappointment.

How could she go through the stress only to be rejected?

"I'm sorry, but can you help me with something?" She bothered the receptionist again.

"What's that?," The receptionist questioned, irritation all over her face.

"I know you told me that particular spot is taken, but is there anything else at all for me? I can cook very well. I can also clean and work as a janitor. I worked as a waiter at a confectionery, so I can work as a coffee maker for the money. All I need is one chance at anything at all-"

"Ma'am, do you want us to call the security on you?"

Any knew that was her cue. She couldn't keep being a nuisance, or she would be embarrassed.

What was she going to tell Kayla? What was she going to tell her son, Tris? She hated that she wasted so much money and energy on a long lost cause.

She searched for her purse and peeked in it.

The money left with her was just the amount she needed to get back home.

She headed out the door, but branched by the little cafeteria for free coffee.

She was about to leave when she got a call from Kayla.

"How did the job go?"

"The job is gone. It was given to someone else," Amy replied.

"That's pretty bad. But there's good news"

"What's that?"

"I just got a spot for you at the construction site I'm working at. I told them I have a hardworking friend who can take on some tasks, and they said they'll let you in"

"Are you serious?! That's good news!!"

"But you have only fifteen minutes to get here. One minute late, and the spot is gone. You need to be here as fast as possible-"

"Send me the address right now!," Amy instructed and cut the call.

She got out of the building and the text came immediately.

Without thinking or looking for forthcoming cats, she dashed into the busy road. Unfortunately, there was a sharp bend she cared less about, and as she left the curb, there was an incoming Lincoln speeding around the turn.

On seeing her, the car screeched to a stop, making her scream out of shock for fear that she'd been hit.

Surprised that she was on the floor, just inches away from getting killed, her feeling of luckiness quickly transformed to molten rage.

With anger, she turned and shouted at the driver. "There is a reason you have a horn in your goddamn car you motherfucker," she was so angry, until her eyes met the person that alighted from the car.