The Agency (2026)

Chapter 4: A Perfect Morning

“Thank you for calling The Agency. We’ve been expecting your call,” a raspy voice answers.

I hang up. It’s almost 10 p.m. I figured I could leave a message. I have to call back. What if they have caller ID? I may have just destroyed any chance that I have at this job. But I don’t even know if I want this job. I hit redial on my phone.

“Jasmine, we’ve been waiting for you,” the raspy voice begins.

“I…I was calling for Ms. Minerva Crane.”

“Oh, I know. She’s been waiting for you to call. Hold the line, please.”

What the heck? Waiting for me. Waiting for my call. This sounds sketchy or maybe I’m just overthinking it. Obviously, they have caller ID.

“Maurice will pick you up at 9 a.m. tomorrow morning,” raspy voice says as she returns to the line.

“Wait, I just wanted to talk to Ms. Crane.”

“Jasmine, Minerva doesn’t do phones. Maurice will pick you up tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. Okay?”

“Okay.”

“And Jasmine?”

“Yes.”

“We will handle your electricity problem. Don’t worry.”

As she says this, the lights come on.

“Umm…thank you.”

“You are welcome. See you tomorrow.”

What kind of connections does the Agency have at Prestwood Power? How did they know my lights were disconnected? Did I mention the disconnection notice while I was at DHS? I close the window and settle down on the couch. I fluff my pillow, turn on my side, and fall asleep.

***

I’m awoken by a knock on my door. I look at my phone. 6 a.m. Who on earth is knocking on my door this early? Mr. Lee and Ms. Wilkins don’t get up this early and I am not friendly with the other people in the building. I slowly and quietly raise myself off the couch and head for the door. I look out the peephole. No one is there. Opening the door, I look to the left and right to see if I see anyone. I almost trip over the box in front of my door. There are also more groceries—a lot more. I see a black envelope taped to the box. I open it. The paper is thick. It reminds me of a wedding invitation except it’s black and the letters are red—the same red from that business card.

THE AGENCY

You are expected at THE AGENCY for an appointment with Minerva Crane, Proprietor, at 9:30 a.m. Please ensure that your appearance reflects what you want others to see. You will find suitable attire in the box. You are not required to wear this attire. It is only a suggestion.

The groceries are yours to keep.

Please be on time.

Wow! I don’t even have the job yet and I’m getting gifts. This whole thing is weird but I have nothing to lose. I bring all the bags inside and begin to cook breakfast for my kids. I make grits, eggs, and bacon.

The smell is heavenly. My stomach growls so loud.

“Mommy, was that your tummy? It’s loud,” says Mia sleepily.

“Yes, Mommy is so hungry.”

“It’s loud,” she laughs.

“I know. Wake your brother up so we can eat.”

***

Breakfast is so good—delicious, even. I always feel so weird about complimenting my own cooking but the twins obviously agree. I didn’t have to convince them to eat their food this morning. They both even asked for seconds.

“Mommy, this is so good,” says Matt.

“Best day ever,” says Mia.

“Mommy, what are we gonna eat after school?” asks Matt.

I laugh, my son is always thinking ahead. “It’s a surprise!” I tease.

“Awwww…no fair!” The twins exclaim.

“You’ll just have to wait.” I smile. “But it’s gonna be good!”

We sit at the table for a few more minutes finishing our food and just enjoying the feeling of full bellies.

After breakfast, I get the twins dressed and walk them to their preschool. Because of last night’s events and the fact that we spent so much time at breakfast, I didn’t have time to get myself ready. I am wearing the loungewear that I slept in. It’s 7:30 a.m. and I can tell that it’s going to be another hot day.

“Bye mommy! Have a great day!”

“You too, babies. I love you. Matt, remember to put up your toys.”

As I am preparing to leave, the preschool director stops me.

“Good morning, Jasmine. May I have a word?”

“Well, actually I have an interview…” I say, my words trailing off.

“It’ll only take a minute,” she says, clearly not taking no for an answer.

I sigh and follow her down the hall. I know where this is headed. I know I missed last week’s payment, but I really do try to pay the kids’ school on time. We enter her office. There are drawings everywhere and—of course—toys.

“How are you, Jasmine?”

“I’m okay.”

“Good, I’m sure you know what this is about.”

“Yes, I promise I’m working on it.”

“Working on it?”

“Yes, my payment for last week.”

“Right,” she says. “Let me get that receipt for you.”

“Receipt?”

“Yes, I received your electronic payment this morning. I know you don’t usually pay that way, but you are paid in full for the next month.”

“Paid in full?”

“Yes, now back to why I called you in here. I’m sure Matt has told you, but I wanted to make sure you were aware.”

“Aware?”

“Yes, there was an incident with another student and I want to assure you that we do not tolerate bullying here. The other student has been asked to leave the center.”

I am baffled.

“Umm…could you start at the beginning? This is the first I am hearing of this.”

I listen as she details an account of a child pushing Matt and Matt pushing back. Apparently, cameras were reviewed so that the teachers could determine what happened. I glance at my watch—8:00 a.m. I thank her, take my receipt, and rush home.

***

Once home, I frantically jump in the shower and scrub from head to toe. I towel off and begin lotioning my body. I take a look in the mirror. My curls are a mess. I’m not sure how I can tame them in such a short amount of time. Maurice will be here soon. In my closet are clothes that I can no longer fit in. I haven’t had the need or income to purchase new clothing. Working at the store, my typical uniform was jeans, a T-shirt, and sneakers.

Suddenly, I remember the box. You will find suitable attire in the box. I can only wonder what Minerva thinks is “suitable.” It can’t hurt to open the box, right? I head to my living room. The box lies untouched. It is wrapped in satin-like black paper with a royal red ribbon. I remove the lid. A pair of wedge sandals are neatly placed on top of some white tissue paper. The shoes are new and a size 7—that’s my size! Honestly, it feels like Christmas. The kids grow like weeds so I’m always focused on getting them new clothes and shoes.

I remove the tissue paper underneath the shoes and find the cutest jumpsuit. It is hot pink and the material is so soft. It is sleeveless with a tie-front and the legs are flowy. There’s no size on the tag. I can only hope that it will fit my short frame. I’m only 5’3, but the wedges will add at least 2 inches. I take the jumpsuit back to my bedroom. Then I turn my attention to my curls.

My hair has started to air dry, but I pull out my diffuser to speed it along. Once I am satisfied that it is sufficiently dry, I decide to put on a little tinted moisturizer and lip gloss. I don’t have an extensive collection of makeup, but I put on a little eye shadow and mascara. I grab the jumpsuit. Here goes nothin’, I think to myself. To my surprise, the jumpsuit fits like a glove. It hugs me in all the right places. I put on the shoes and grab my purse. It’s 8:55 a.m. Maurice will be here soon. He doesn’t seem to be one to tolerate lateness.

I head downstairs to wait in front of my building. “Jas!” I hear my name and immediately cringe.

“Where are you going looking like that?” Trey asks.

“What are you doing here?” I respond, ignoring his question.

“I’m headed to work.”

“I didn’t realize that my place was on your way to work.”

“Well, I had another stop to make on the way. Why are you dressed like that? You better not have my kids around another dude.”

“My business is none of your concern.”

“They're my kids too!”

“Ha! Were they your kids last night when I asked you to let them stay at your house?”

Before he can respond, I spot a long black limo coming to a stop. Maurice gets out and walks to the other side of the car and opens the door. “Ms. Wells, whenever you are ready?” Trey stands there with his mouth open. “Thank you, Maurice. Have a really nice day, Trey,” I say as I get inside the limo. Maurice closes the door.