Mixed messages

Why did the heavens choose today of all days to let the flood gates open? I stare outside my window for the twentieth time in the last hour, almost as if I could wish the storm away. All I need is a 15 minute hiatus so I can make a mad dash out of this house and straight to the taxi rank. Clearly it's not meant to be. I sigh as the clouds instantly become darker and a rumble of thunder cracks so loudly it startles me and every sane person in the city. I count four Mississippi's before a flash of lightning splints the horizon in two. This isn't stopping anytime soon. Time for plan B. I quickly change my skinny jeans into a pair of jeggings, exchange my Sandles for rain boots and throw a worn out but very effective raincoat over my favourite T-shirt that has "women first" splashed across the bust. With my hair tucked into my hoodie, I pack a clean pair of sneakers into my handbag and thank God that this job comes with a uniform that I will receive first thing on arrival this morning. Convinced that I've done my best to weather the storm in the absence of an umbrella, I leave my home and jog my way to the Taxis avoiding mud puddles as I go. Today will be the start of something amazing. Sure it will be hard and the work itself is not the most glamorous, but the pay is good. Much better than what I made at the grocery store working the til. It's enough to ensure that I can successfully pay my outstanding fees owed to the University for last year and I can finally register to complete my degree at the beginning of the new semester. Financial exclusion is a difficult pill to swallow, and even though it means I will have missed this entire semester at least I'm still on course to graduating next year. All I have to do is raise enough funds to pay off the outstanding R30 000 and I will be allowed to register. I was so lost in my head that I almost missed my stop. Lucky for me another lady called out to the driver telling him she would like to get off at the stop sign. We both hopped off and started walking in the same direction. "Hey, I think my umbrella is big enough for two" she says looking my way. She has a kind smile plastered on her face as she signals for me to join her undercover. "Hi" I say awkwardly, a little embarrassed that I needed this kind of rescuing but grateful non the less. "Thank you so much" I say as I step closer to her relieved to finally be out of this downpour, however briefly. "I just need to get an Uber and I'll be out of your hair. I somehow forgot to do it while still in the taxi" my nose burns up and I'm sure I'm blushing from the sheer humiliation. She starts giggling as she looks at me. "Whoever said black people don't blush has clearly never met you Rudolph" she snickers. "Oh and there isn't an Uber available at the moment. I guess they are avoiding this slippery drive, I tried ordering one myself in the taxi and failed miserably." I'm sure the look of horror on my face is evident as I struggle to process what she just said. "NO UBER! How the hell am I going to get to work?" I mentally count backwards from five and then do a quick check on my app. It confirms exactly what she just said. I'm so screwed. I'm going to be late, on my first day. That's if I even make it at all. Walking is out of the question. I'm pretty sure it's at least an hour's hike. That's if you don't factor in the fact that the property itself is uphill and I'm definitely not fit enough or fast enough to tackle that kind of climb even in the best of conditions. I briefly consider calling into the office when I remember that I don't even have the human resources landline. I'm supposed to get all that stuff today with my welcome package. "Where are you headed? Maybe I can ask Max to drop you off when he gets here? He is a bit of a d**k but he can never say no to a pretty face. The pervert" the look of disgust on her face just talking about whoever Max is speaks volumes. "Oh gosh I'd hate to be a bother but I would really appreciate the help" I say sheepishly. " I'm heading to EB Manor" When she doesn't say anything I turn to look at her, thinking maybe she's never heard of the place or is heading in the opposite direction with her Max. I catch her studying me with a look of confusion on her face. Maybe I have said something wrong? "Oh I'm sorry, I'm sure it's far out of your way. Thank you though for the shelter." I start considering my options and realise that I have no choice but to make the hike. I'll be super late and will most likely be fired before I even start. Who knows though, maybe they may take pity on me and let me off with a warning? "What do want from EB Manor?" Is it me or did she ask that sounding a little fearful? "New job" I reply. "It's literally my first day. Way to make an impression right? At this point I'm sure I've lost the job but I'm still gonna go. If they're going to fire me, they might as well do it to my face." She laughs at what I said and tears start rolling down her face. " First of all it's like a billion kilometres away, you wouldn't make it before end of day. Secondly the last stretch is uphill, I highly doubt you're fit for the climb (no offense, noone is). Given the weather and the terrain, you would probably die trying. Finally but most importantly I don't think the people in HR would be bothered to even come to the gate. Jerry would assume you are a hobo looking for trouble. He wouldn't even call them to tell them you are there." At this point she's laughing so hard her shoulders are shaking. I on the other hand am mortified until it dawns on me that she sounds very familiar with the estate. A sliver of hope makes me calm down as I wait for her to compose herself. When she finally does she says something that literally makes her my Robin Hood. " I'm Jazz and lucky for you, I work there too" Thank the Lord. I start beaming from ear to ear. "I swear you are an angel Jazz, I'm Ri. Boy am I happy to meet you." Ri pronounced Rye is short for Horizon. " Common, oh and in future, don't tell people where you work. Those people are crazy about their privacy. You could definitely loose your job for that" she's polite but firm in her warning. "Rather say you work at the bird sanctuary. Its also uphill and it's walking distance to the main gate of the Manor. Also, if Max asks we met on the day of your interview. Otherwise he will be suspicious of you and may decline to give you a ride." "Noted. Thank you Jazz." I hope everyone at work is as lovely as she is. That thought is soon shattered when I meet Max. He wasn't outright rude but he was very dismissive. He barely looked in my direction when Jazz explained who I was and why I was riding with them. All he did was stare at Jazz's bossom and ask her what's in it it for him. He only looked at me long enough to tell me that my raincoat is a joke and I better take it off if I want in. As soon as I did he started ogling my chest, moving his gaze from my breasts to Jazz's almost as if he was comparing them. What a creep! He licked his lips and shifted his attention back to Jazz. Still barely meeting her gaze. Your pal better have ID, was the last thing he said before we headed off. Sure enough getting in was a tedious exercise and I could tell Max was getting pissed off with me. The security officer, Jerry, promptly asked for ID and reason for visit. When I told him I work here he took his time calling HR. He looked like he didn't believe me. Fortunately my identity was confirmed and after five minutes and putting up with Max cussing me out as if I have any control over the situation, we are allowed in. This place is unbelievable. The gardens are immaculate. Multiple bushes trimmed in the most intriguing shapes surround the path we take towards the building. We avoid the main path, which is clearly majestic, opting instead to take the narrow road to the left. This route is well hidden almost as if the people driving on it are never to be seen or noticed in any way.It's lined with a row of low rise shrubs, high enough to shield the path from the rest of the estate. It leads us to the back of this gigantic castle where we slip into this inconspicuous underground parking and stop in a bay close to the lift. I quickly change shoes in the parking lot before Jazz accompanies me to HR then swiftly vanishes when we reach the door. I take a deep calming breath before I step in....