The single mom and her boss

Chapter five - Interview and better opportunities

Jasmine's POV:

I have submitted my application for one job offer. I don't think the person will agree to meet with me because I don't have experience. I read their requirements. I think I can do this. All I need is a little bit of practice. The good thing is that I'm a fast learner. I can multitask as well. With Chloe, I have learned to do many things simultaneously. The speed came from my current job. Not every client likes tips, even if they are one penny. It's not like I'm living for this, but I would've liked it if that happened more often. That's why I won't complain. If I get a new job, I won't have to worry about this. At least I won't have to deal with ungrateful customers. That will be a good thing. The other thing is that my salary might be better. I want to make Chloe feel like the other kids. She is not spoiled, but I like to buy her things. The smile on her face is my everything. I would stay with her all day without letting her go. Sadly, I can't. I have to go to work. She will start school soon. I'm glad that the kindergarten still takes her. I'll find a way to deal with her in the afternoon. I won't be able to take her home. Not until my work day ends. First, I need to see if the job will be mine. I'll worry about everything else later. I hope that this will be the new beginning I wanted.

Today is my job interview. I talked with a woman on the phone. We scheduled it for today. I have told my boss. I have a free day. Miss Stevens will take care of Chloe for a while. Later, we can spend the day together. I would love this. I'm an example if you haven't seen a parent obsessed with their kid. Let's say that I love her a lot. I mean, I grew up with her. There are so many things that I learned. It wasn't easy, but I didn't give up. I couldn't.

Chloe and I are eating. She woke up before me. I find her in my bed. It's one of the things we do. Whoever wakes up goes to check the other one. Usually, I do it. Well, sometimes, I like to rest a bit more. I need it. Today, I need all the luck I have. I should nail this interview. I have no idea what I'll do there, but I can't fail. Chloe deserves this. I want to have more time for her. The weekends should be for us. I don't want to work these days. Let's see what will happen.

- Here is how our day will go. Miss Stevens will watch you for an hour or two.

- Where will you go?

- I have an interview for a job.

- Does this mean you will have a new job?

- I don't know. I'm not sure if they will like me.

- Who are they?

- The people who will interview me.

- Isn't there only one?

- In every company, it's different. I can't tell what will happen.

- I'm sure you will get it.

- Well, I hope so. Later, I'll come to pick you up. We can have lunch at home. In the afternoon, we'll do whatever you want.

- Really? We can go to the park.

- Yes. You will play with the kids there. What do you say?

- Ice cream?

- If you want ice cream, we should sit and eat it.

- Don't worry. I won't spill anything.

- I know. You are a clean girl.

- I am just like you.

- I would love it if you were like me. Very much.

- Eat your breakfast now. Listen to miss Stevens.

- Mommy?

- Yes.

- What will happen if you don't get the job?

- I'll apply for another one. Why?

- Because I want us to go to the zoo on the weekend.

- I can't promise, but I'll do everything possible to make this happen.

- It's ok if you can't. I can ask my grandma.

- No, I'll take you. We can go together.

- I want to see the elephant.

- If he is outside, you can see him.

- Can we take a picture of him?

- Why not? You can take one from afar. What do you say?

- I'll have a picture with the elephant.

- Yes, you will. That will be your last activity before you go to school.

- I want you to come with me.

- Chloe, we have talked about it. I can't come with you.

- Why? I don't want to be alone. - she said with tears in her eyes

- You won't be alone. Maybe you can find new friends there. I'll always be with you. - I said and hugged her

I hate it when she says this. Mostly, she talked about my biggest fear without even realizing it. I will never leave her for anything on the planet. The only reason why I spend so much time with her is because I'm afraid that I'll lose her one day. After breakfast, I left her at miss Stevens's house. I went for my interview. I tried to look good. I went to the building, and a woman came to take me. It looks nice here. Hopefully, I'll get the job.

- The boss will do the interview.

- What? I talked with you on the phone.

- Usually, I do them, but he wanted to take these.

- I see.

- Sir, your next candidate is here.

- Thank you, Kelsey. You can leave us.

- Miss, do you want coffee or anything else?

- No, thanks. - I said, and she left

- You must be Jasmine Anderson. You are the only female candidate.

- Is that a bad thing?

- Not at all. It was easy for me to guess your name. Let's start.

- Sure.

- You have no experience in this area.

- Correct, but I'm a fast learner. Also, I can multitask.

- That might come in handy. I have only one question. Why did you apply for the job?

- Because I believe I'm not getting paid enough for my job.

- What is your job?

- Currently, I work in a restaurant. I had a few jobs. Well, it's my second one.

- Ok. What do you expect from my company?

- To work with people who don't complain. Also, I want to have a better salary and free weekends.

- Who works on the weekend?

- I do, sir. Many people have dinner outside on Saturday night.

- You do understand that people with experience have an advantage.

- I know, but I was hoping you could give me a chance. You won't be sorry.

- I hope so. I need good workers.

The boss and I kept talking. He was a lot more talkative than I expected. Also, he looks almost my age. We talked about many things. I didn't say anything about Chloe. He doesn't need to know this. The other thing is that it has nothing to do with the job. When the interview finished, I went to pick up Chloe. I promised her lunch at home. I made an omelet. It was quick and didn't need much work. I'll let her pick what we'll do today.

- Chloe, what do you want us to do in the afternoon?

- We can go to the zoo today. I don't want to wait for the weekend.

- Yes, we can. Is there anything else? We can get ice cream.

- Do you have to work tomorrow?

- Yes, I do.

- Didn't you get a new job?

- I don't know. I only passed the interview. Nothing is sure. Other people have applied for the same job.

- You deserve to get it. We can go out on the weekends.

- Yes, we can. Think about what we'll eat for dinner.

- Chicken nuggets and French fries.

- How about a salad before all this?

- Yes. Put in many tomatoes.

- I will. What else? Cucumbers, cheese?

- Peppers.

- We should go to the grocery store after visiting the elephant.

- I don't mind. Can we feed him?

- Visitors can't feed the animals. It's f*******n. They might get sick.

- But I want to give them food.

- Chloe, we can't feed the animals. Otherwise, they will forbid us to go there.

- Then we can get them home.

- Do you know how to take care of an elephant? Also, we don't have enough space for it here.

- I'll take care of it.

- How about a stuffed animal? We can find an elephant.

- Will you get me one?

- Why not? It's better than a real elephant.

- Yay! Thank you. I love you.

- Only when I buy you things. Right?

- Noo! I love you. Forever and always.

- I love you too, Chloe.

After lunch, we went to the zoo. Chloe loves animals, but there is a sign that says we can't feed them. It's f*******n. Her favorite animal is the elephant. According to her, it's big and friendly. It's not like she has touched one. We can't do that as well. The animals are far away from people. We stayed in the zoo for two hours. I took a picture of her with the elephant and sent it to my mom. Later, we went to a toy store. I promised her a stuffed animal. Luckily, we managed to find an elephant. As a reward, we got ice cream. I took her to the park. It's one of her favorite places.

- How do you feel? The smile doesn't fade away.

- Thank you for the zoo. Can we take Ziggy next time?

- Who is Ziggy?

- The elephant. He can meet his family.

- Yes, we can take him. Do you want to take your grandparents?

- Will they come with us?

- Only if you want them to come.

- Yes. We can go again on the weekend.

- I have to work, but they can take you.

- Won't you get the new job?

- Chloe, it doesn't happen like magic. I don't know if I will get it.

- Ask the boss.

- They will call me when they make the decision.

- How long will you wait?

- I don't know. You don't need to worry about this. It's my job.

- But I want us to play on the weekends.

- You start school next week. We have to practice on the weekends. We can't play all day?

- Will you stay with me?

- Of course. I won't go anywhere. You won't get rid of me.

- I don't want to do it.

- Good.

- Will you come to pick me up from school? I don't want my grandma to do it.

- Yes, I will. You will see only me. Eat your ice cream. Otherwise, it will melt.

- I like it melted.

- Why?

- Because I can drink it. See. - she said and drank it, which made me laugh

- Sure.

- Why don't you drink yours?

- Because I ate it.

- Do you want of my ice cream?

- No, thanks. It's for you. I don't want to eat more. Let's not forget that we'll have dinner.

- Nuggies.

- And French fries.

- Yes! I will help with the salad.

- Thank you. I would love that.

Chloe is the best kid ever. I could not wish for anything else. She is all I need and even more. I wasn't that happy when I found out I was pregnant. Now I don't complain about it. She made my life more colorful and fun. Little kids are always honest and so innocent. I love her so much. She is the only friend I want to have. I will never leave her alone for anything in the world. I won't survive without her. This little girl makes me fight for everything and value what I have. I have to be stronger for her. Chloe doesn't need to see me weak. I hope that I will get a new job.