The single mom and her boss

Jasmine's POV: Hello, my name is Jasmine. I'm twenty-four years old. My life was great until I went to high school. I had good grades and friends. This continued, but not for long. I had no choice. When I went to high school, I met a boy. Everything looked fine. We started going out. Dad was ok with it. He didn't complain. I was stupid to trust him so much. I even let myself be carefree around him. That was until it happened. I got pregnant. He said everything was safe. Then I found out he lied to me in the face. I was afraid to tell my parents because I knew what they would say. Back then, I was sure I wanted to remove it. There was no way I could take care of a baby by myself. The moment he found out, he left me. Mom didn't let me get rid of it. She said that the baby wasn't guilty of my mistake. Since then, I have had a baby girl. That baby girl will be in first grade. I moved out and got a job. The problem is that I work a lot and barely get paid. I have been looking for job offers. Also, the people that I work with are not the nicest. My neighbors help me when I can't take care of Chloe. I appreciate it, but she is my responsibility, and I should take care of her. As a mom, this is my job. I hope that I will find a better place to work in. I went to three interviews last week. People decorate the job offers as much as they want. When I heard about the salary, I left. Some of them offered me less than I had already received. Do you know how much money I have to spend on Chloe? First-graders need many supplies. They don't give you this in kindergarten. I have to buy her everything. At least she is not a spender. I like to reward her from time to time. Well, this won't always happen. That's why I need a new job. I shouldn't be worried if I have enough money. I woke up and went to check on Chloe. She was still sleeping. I work in a small restaurant. There, I learned to work fast. People start complaining if they don't get their food fast. I mean, as if I'm cooking it. I'm only a waitress. There are summer groups for the kids in kindergarten who don't have someone at home to watch them. My parents go to work. Miss Stevens volunteered to watch her. I don't mind, but it can't be a daily thing. When I was ready, I went to wake her up. This little girl is my whole life, and I can't live without her. She is my best friend. - The food is delicious, mommy. - Thanks. Eat it all. Later, you will see miss Stevens. - Will she take care of me today? - Yes, she wanted to see you. - Can we have a picnic on the weekend? Please. - I'll see what I can do about it. - It's ok. We can do it another day. - No, no. We'll have one. I only have to prepare some food and games. - We can do it in the backyard. I won't go out. - You can't stay at home all day. We can go out one day. It will be only us. - Really? Will you have time? - I'll always have time for you. After all, you are my best friend. - You are mine. - she said and hugged me - You know I love you a lot. I'll try to come home a bit early. - What if you get fired? - Don't worry. I'm looking for a new job. - Why? Don't you like this one? - I believe I can find something better. - Why don't you go out with your friends? - Where did that come from? - You are always with me. - What did I say a minute ago? - That I'm your best friend. - Yes. That means I want to stay with you. Do you mind? - No. Can you stay with me today? - I'm sorry, but I have to go to work. Otherwise, you won't have food. - Only I eat. Where is your food? - I ate mine before you woke up. - Ok. Can I make cookies with miss Stevens? We won't put much sugar. - Yes, but you can't eat much. You know how sugar affects you. - Yes, sir. - she said, giggling - Very funny. Eat now. I will leave you at her house before I go to work. - Will you take a rest? - You don't have to worry about me. What toys and games do you want me to bring you? - They are in my wardrobe. In the little drawer. Sometimes, I thought I wouldn't be able to make it. I have starved myself a lot to make sure she eats healthily. She doesn't need to see my weak side. Yes, I have breakdowns as well. I went to her room and took the toys and games she wanted. Later, I left her at miss Stevens's house. Someone has to work. I arrived at the restaurant and started taking care of the tables. The good news is that I work during the day. The bad one is that the customers are ungrateful. - I want all the tables clean. The one over there needs special treatment. Put the reserved sign. Someone will have a birthday. Jasmine, you will take care of it. I don't want to hear any complaints. You can ask for help if there are too many customers. I'll watch over you girls. I want my restaurant to shine. Understood? - Yes, sir. - Good. Go to work! - Hey, are you ok? You don't look happy. - Carmen said - A whole table of complaining guests. How do you think I feel? - I'm sorry. I don't know why the boss does this to you. - I can't complain much. - You don't want to get fired. - I'm looking for a new job. I won't stay here for long. - What are you looking for? - Everything that gets paid well. - Good luck. I saw a job offer in a company but don't know what it is about. - Thanks, but I probably won't go. I won't have any experience, no matter what they are doing. - You can still try. It doesn't say anything about the salary. - Where did you say it? - Online. My husband checks the ads in case something better pops up for him. - I see. Thank you. I can check to see if I like it. - You won't lose anything. It's worth a shot. - It is. The reserved table was occupied quickly. No one complained, which was good. Everyone was glad, and I received a little tip. Well, if you call fifty dollars a little tip. During my break, I checked the job offer Carmen told me about. The position was for a senior manager. There is no way I will sign up for this. I don't have any experience. When I finished my work for the day, I went to miss Stevens's house. I have to pick up Chloe and make dinner. At least I learned how to cook. - Hey, miss Stevens. I'm here to pick up Chloe. - Come in, darling. She is solving crosswords with my husband. - Interesting. - I said and walked in - Here they are. - Chloe. It's time to go home. - Mommy! Hey. - she said and ran up for a hug - Hello. How was your day? - We played games all day. - Good. Let's go for dinner. - I have cooked dinner. I would like it if you two could stay with us. - That's sweet, but I don't want to bother you. - You are not bothering me. Our kids don't come home often. At least we can have you. - If you don't mind. - Not at all. Sit down. Greg, you will finish your crosswords later. - Will you help me out tomorrow? - he asked, looking at Chloe - Sure. - You are a great kid. Your mom did a good job. - I'm trying my best. - Trust me, you are doing perfectly. - Here you go. I hope you like it. - miss Stevens said - I'm sure we will. You are a great cook. - Thank you. - Chloe, I have told you something. You have to wait for everyone else, and no elbows at the table. - Sorry. We are home. - We are not at home. That is allowed when you and I are together alone. - It won't repeat. - Good. Do you like the food? - It's delicious. - I can try to make you this meal on the weekend. What do you say? - Yummy. - The word for everything. Eat now. Caring for Chloe might be a bit tough. I can't imagine myself without her. There is a little voice in the back of my head that keeps telling me I might lose her or that something will happen. I can't allow it. She is the only thing I have. We stayed at miss Stevens's house for a while. I have to go to work tomorrow. Also, I don't want Chloe to go to bed late. I always read her bedtime stories before bed. Sometimes, I invent my own. It depends on how tired I am. Well, I will never let her see it. - Go and wash your teeth. I'll make your bed. - I did. - Chloe, breath check. - But, mommy. - Chloe. - Ok, ok. I'll go and wash them. - Which story do you want today? - Rapunzel. - Of course. - I'm ready. Please, sit next to me. I want to snuggle. - Alright. Once upon a time, there was a princess with beautiful, long, blonde hair. Everyone was amazed by her beauty. It wasn't possible. Such long hair can't be natural. - Mommy? - Yes. - If you are tired, you can go to bed. When I learn to read, you won't do this for me. - I'm not tired. - Why don't you go out with friends? Grandma can watch me. - Grandma has to go to work. I have told you that you are my best friend. - Don't you have other friends? - I don't have time for this. Let's continue with the story. - Mommy. - What now? - Thank you. - For what? - That you take care of me every day. You are a superhero. - I wish I was. - You are. You do many things for me. - We should go shopping for school. Do you know what you want to get? - A backpack. - That is a must. - I don't need anything else. - Then where will you write? - Oh. Paper. - Yes, you need notebooks and pens. For the art class, you will need colored pencils. - Can we draw together? Please. - That will be at home. I won't be in class with you. - Will you come to pick me up from school? - Yes. When I finish work, I'll come to pick you up. - Can we make an ice cream sundae on the weekend? - Sure. We can go to the store and get what we need. - We can watch the movie about Rapunzel. - Yes. Yes, we can. Chloe fell asleep after the third page of the story. I started drifting off as well. She sleeps alone, but I'll keep her company today. I'm too tired to move to my room. I know she won't mind. I love her more than anything. That is why I work so hard. It's for her. I will never leave her alone or let her feel she needs something. I'll make sure she has everything. Chloe is mine. I'll be sure she is the happiest kid in the world. Many people look at me weirdly when we go out together. I might be young, but I'm capable of caring for her. I hope that I can be everything she needs.