Kisses and Teats

Chapter 1

I wouldn't say I like mornings, afternoons, and evenings.

I wish that I could also sleep forever. Weird right?

But wishes do not come true because if they did, I wouldn’t be on the verge of tears, in front of the third shop in search of a job, and currently thinking of walking to the fourth.

“Why am I so unlucky? I’m not looking for a white-collar job, any job at all could suffice at this point.” I thought to myself as I walked

“I’m sorry there’s no vacancy here any longer,” the lanky man said.

“Sir, I can do anything be it cleaning, or any other menial job, just name it.”

“I’m sorry but I can’t help you ma'am” he turns to leave.

I see another vacancy not too far from here. It’s a hair salon who knows I might just get lucky.

I walk into the hair salon and greet the receptionist.

“Good day,” I say.

“Good morning ma’am how would you like to do your hair today?” she replies.

I laughed “Oh no I’m not here to get my hair done I saw the signpost of the vacancy and came in to see if the job is still available?”

“Oh yes, let me go get the owner.”

“Okay,” I look around and the salon is clean and aesthetically pleasing with bright colors.

“Hi,” A woman comes out with a bright smile.

“Good day, I saw a job sign outside so I came to see if it’s still available.”

“Yes, it is very much available.”

Today has to be my lucky day then “Okay, please what’s the job description”

“We are looking for an additional hair stylist bonus if you can braid.”

My smile drops. That’s a skill I never learned, I didn’t learn any girly skills. There was no time to learn any of that.

“Are there any other available spaces? That’s not something I’m not skilled at.”

“Oh, I’m sorry ma’am that's the only available space.”

“Okay thank you,” I said in a low tone as I turned to leave.

I don’t think I am asking for much really. I just want any job that can pay my bills and put food on my table.

Is that too much to ask for? I almost scream into the air.

I barely just graduated college, and I have gone from one odd job to the other and since. I’m such a lucky coin that only lasts for a week.

I sometimes feel like I’m suffering from the karma of my parent's wrongdoings, cos’ what other explanation do I have for being unlucky?

I’m currently jobless after being laid off from my last job, feels like yesterday because it was yesterday. I got relieved of my job yesterday because the restaurant was trying to cut costs, due to the increased cost of ingredients. I was at that job for five days only.

I board a train to get back home, and thinking of going back there gives me PTSD. The room I’m currently staying in has nothing to write home about. It was the only place I could afford after leaving the hellhole I called home.

My parents are not my greatest source of inspiration as my mum left me with my alcoholic father at a young age and never looked back. I have no idea if she is dead or alive and unfortunately for me, I’m the only evidence of their horrible love story with no one to talk to.

Being alone has never been an issue since I grew up all by myself as a result people haven’t really been my biggest fans. I have had bullies rather than friends but they were not my problem.

As I got off the train and walked back, my stomach grumbled letting me know I haven’t had anything today. Cooking right now is the last thing I want to do, so dinner is.

As I walked to the diner, an awful smell hit me, and the scorching sun wasn’t making it any better. It made me feel like I may throw up and made me remember what a former coworker said to me in passing: “You are lucky to work on this side of the city. At least you get to breathe good, fresh air rather than the fake air you inhale all day at home.” I can’t argue she was spot on with that one.

I tried to check for what was causing the awful smell, and then I saw it was the incinerator that wasn’t too far from my house.

I really hate this city, I hate my life in general. Tried taking my life a couple of times but as you see I’m still here and suffering may I add.

Now, back to the main subject matter “I need a job” because my flat won’t pay for itself and since I don’t have four stomachs I need money for feeding too, that’s the only thought in my head at the moment.

I walk towards a nearby diner, and entering it automatically calms my nerves, the aroma of food and the scent of flour, the way it's busy but quiet at the same time.

There’s only one diner around the area and I am greeted with smiles. If I could work here I would, but the cash won’t even foot a quarter of my bills.

I pick a table closest to the window and wait for someone to take my order.

“Hey, sugar plum, what should I get you today?” Mrs. Ronald asks.

“Mac and cheese please”

“Is that all sugar plum?”

“Yes, thank you.”

“Coming right up” She heads inside disappearing through the wooden doors. After five minutes she comes back.

“Here you go, honey.” She hands me the bacon and eggs but with coffee and cream just the way I like it. I give her a questioning look and she just says “It’s in the house.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Ronald.” I feel like I might be tearing up. Yes, I’m dramatic like that.

“Call me Sarah dear, enjoy.” She smiles and heads back inside behind the wooden doors.

While I truly enjoy my breakfast, I pull out my phone and watch YouTube because what is a solo breakfast without YouTube or a movie? I settle for Nella Rose’s channel, dig in, and try to forget how my job hunting went.

Some other people troop in, but it’s still quiet and comfortable, I stay for a while and continue my YouTube, Mrs. Ronald sorry I mean Sarah smiles at me as she passes to serve the customers and I smile back at her and even offer to help her at some point and she says to relax and enjoy my morning, so I do enjoy the peace and somehow quiet. I ended up staying longer than I expected.

After eating and getting tired of staying at the diner, I head back home. I won't necessarily call it home. I've never really known what home feels like but I know that it doesn’t feel like where I’m currently staying at.

I head in and clean up for a while, maybe it will clear up my head too. I start with the dishes, then the laundry, and finally the room. I feel better but my feelings remain unchanged. Does that make any sense? I take another shower but a longer one this time because as you know I have nowhere I need to be today so I enjoy how the steam hugs my body and the water cascades down my body all in perfect harmony. After a long shower, I try to rest but it’s not working. My brain can’t just shut down and the sun shining from my window isn’t helping.

An idea comes into my head, so I go ahead and do whatever broke person in their early twenties has done, I type into my browser “online jobs”. I scroll through my phone trying to find a job and apply. I scroll for hours but I see nothing. They keep referring back to the same websites which is frustrating me at this point.

This is currently 3 pm and there has been no progress, this was stupid, did I think a job would pop up from somewhere?

An ad popped up and I tried to exit but was redirected to another page. This is a company’s page and it reads “Vacancy! Elevate Technologies is looking for a well-educated male or female who can take up a secretary position, if interested click the link below and fill in your details.” Yeah, this seems too good to be true.

I am about to exit and something in my mind says f**k it and I click the link below. It redirected me to another page where I was asked to fill in my details and upload a CV.

Since I’ve never needed a CV for my other job applications, I’ve never bothered to get one. But now I need one, so I opened up my Canva app, worked some magic, uploaded it, and clicked send.

I watched my phone till it showed “application successful”