I got a job
1174 Words
Elena woke slowly the next morning, sunlight slipping through the thin curtains and warming her face. For the first time in years, no harsh voice had yanked her from sleep. No shouting, no orders, no slamming doors. She had slept deeply, peacefully, like the child she once was in this very room.
She blinked, sitting up and looking around. The small bed beside hers was neatly made. Lucia was gone.
Elena swung her legs over the side and rushed out the door. In the hallway, a few little kids were already moving about, laughing and chasing each other. She smiled at them but kept walking straight to the kitchen.
The moment she stepped inside, the smell of fresh bread and stew wrapped around her. Lucia stood at the counter, sleeves rolled up, helping the cooks stir a big pot.
Lucia looked up and her face lit up instantly.
“Good morning, Elena,” she said warmly. “Did you sleep well?”
Elena smiled back, still a little dazed by how quiet everything felt.
“I did. Better than I have in years.” She paused. “Can I help with anything?”
Lucia shook her head quickly, wiping her hands on a towel.
“Nah, just go bathe and head straight to the dining room. Food is almost ready. After we eat, we’ll go where I told you about yesterday—the barbecue shop. Sound good?”
Elena’s eyes brightened.
“Sure, that is fine,” she said, grinning widely. “I’ll be quick.”
She rushed back toward the room to get ready.
Behind her, the head cook, Alessia, smiled as she watched Lucia.
“It seems you adore your sister very much,” Alessia said gently.
Lucia laughed softly and kept stirring.
“I missed her, you know? Every single day she was gone, I wondered if she was okay.”
Alessia nodded, her expression softening.
“I understand. Back then, you two were inseparable. When she was about to be adopted, I thought she wouldn’t go. But she did.” Alessia sighed. “I’m glad she’s back with you now.”
Lucia sighed too, a small, happy sound.
“Well, I’m just glad she’s back. We have a lot of time to make up for.”
Alessia chuckled and gave her a playful nudge.
“Hurry up, then. You’ll be late for work if you keep standing here daydreaming.”
Lucia smiled.
“Yep, I’m almost done.”
A few minutes later the long wooden table in the dining hall was set. All the children were already seated, chattering happily. Mrs. Clara and the rest of the caretakers sat at the head, waiting.
Elena walked in and every head turned toward her.
Mrs. Clara stood first, her face warm and kind.
“You’re welcome back, Elena,” she said gently. “We missed you so much. This place has never been the same without you.”
Elena felt something tight loosen in her chest. For the first time in ten years, she felt like she truly belonged somewhere.
“This feels like family again,” she whispered, her voice thick.
Tears welled up in her eyes. She tried not to let them fall, but they slipped down her cheeks anyway.
One of the younger girls tugged at her sleeve.
“Come sit with us, Aunty Elena!”
Elena laughed through the tears and sat down. The children crowded closer, asking questions and telling her how much they had missed her. Mrs. Clara reached over and gave her hand a gentle squeeze.
“We should have a little discussion about what happened,” Clara said softly. “Only if you want to share, of course.”
Elena took a deep breath and nodded.
“The family that adopted me… they treated me like a slave,” she said quietly. “I woke up before sunrise every day to cook and clean. I worked five jobs just to give them the money. They never let me go to school. When I got sick, they locked me in my room without food. And last night… they threw me out into the rain with nothing but a broken suitcase.”
The table went quiet for a moment. Mrs. Clara’s eyes filled with sympathy.
“Oh, my dear girl,” she said, voice full of sorrow. “I am so sorry you went through all of that. No child should ever be treated that way. You are safe here now, and you always have a home with us.”
Elena wiped her eyes and smiled through the last of her tears.
“Thank you, Mrs. Clara. That means everything to me.”
When breakfast finally ended, Mrs. Clara stood and looked at Lucia.
“You can head to work now, Lucia. The children will help clear the table.”
Lucia stood up and took Elena’s hand.
“I’m taking Elena with me, Mrs. Clara,” she said brightly.
Mrs. Clara smiled.
“Sure. You two go bond again. It will be good for both of you.”
Lucia grinned.
“Well, she’ll be working at the barbecue shop too. I’ll talk to my boss today.”
Clara nodded warmly.
“Perfect. Go on, then. Have a good day, girls.”
Lucia took Elena’s hand as they stepped out of the building and into the morning sunlight.
“It’s only a few blocks down this street,” Lucia said, swinging their joined hands. “We’ll be there soon. You ready?”
Elena squeezed her hand back.
“More than ready.”
A few minutes later they turned into a narrow alley and walked through the back door of the barbecue shop. The smell of grilled meat and spices filled the air.
The boss was already there, counting stock behind the counter. He looked up, surprised to see Lucia with a stranger.
Lucia greeted him with a gentle smile.
“Boss Gino,” she said politely, “this is my sister Elena.”
Boss Gino raised an eyebrow, looking between them.
“You never told me you had a sister.”
Lucia laughed lightly.
“My bad on that part. I brought her here today because she wants to work, and I was hoping you could hire her.”
Elena smiled at him sweetly, nerves fluttering in her stomach.
Before Lucia could say anything more, Boss Gino clapped his hands together.
“Great. Of course I can. We need another hand setting the tables and helping with service. You’re hired, young lady.”
Elena’s face lit up.
“Thank you so much, sir.”
Boss Gino grabbed a clean apron from the shelf and tossed it to her.
“Lucia, take her and let her start right away. Show her how we do things around here. We open in thirty minutes.”
Lucia caught the apron and grinned at Elena.
“Come on, sis. Let’s get you to work.”
Elena tied the apron around her waist, heart full and light for the first time in years.
- Writer
