Chapter Thirty-Four
Lily had to wait as two other employees were ahead of her to talk with Rika. She knew that Rika was in the process of looking for more HR staff, and was given the go ahead to expand into a larger physical location, but the irony was that Rika had little time to do that with the resources she had right now. She wished she could help in some way, instead of adding to the woman’s headaches.
Finally it was her turn, and there was genuine warmth in the HR Director’s eyes as she greeted Lily.
“Katie,” she smiled. “Rosa called earlier. I was going to head over to Staff Childcare to tell you, but —”
“I can tell, you’ve been busy.” Lily acknowledged the people who had been waiting before her, and the people waiting after her.
A concerned look crossed the older woman’s features. “It looks like Rosa is going to be there for a little longer. Unfortunately, she’s got pneumonia. And she needs to know if you’re still going to be able to watch Brady and Clover.”
Lily had felt panic flare up inside, and fought to keep it from showing in her face. Of course she would take care of Brady and Clover, but now it looked like they would have to continue staying at the motel. Lily had already debated it earlier this morning, before finally deciding not to tell Rika about the break-in at Rosa’s. That was for Rosa to tell, or not, and Lily didn’t want to take any chances in case Rika was obligated to report the situation to Child Protective Services.
And now she would have to worry about how to pay for the motel, when she had thought she was just going to ask Rika for an advance so that she would have more than the twenty bucks that was left over, after paying for last night’s stay.
Rika was still waiting for her answer. Lily steadied her voice.
“Of course I can take care of them. Is she ok otherwise? Should I bring the kids to visit her?”
“It’s sweet of you to offer, but she’s already said not to bring them. She doesn’t want to risk having them catch it. It’ll give her peace of mind to know that you’ll still be taking care of Brady and Clover.”
Lily nodded. Damn, damn, damn. Where would she stay?
“How are you holding up otherwise? Everything ok over Staff Childcare? And working with Simon?”
“I love doing both, and you know Simon’s great to work for.” Lily managed a smile, as worry chewed at her gut.
“Great to workwith.” Rika said. “One of the cool things about him is that he’s big on staff feeling like collaborators instead of employees. And apparently to bake cookies with, too.”
Lily had made sure she brought over a batch of the cookies she had made with Simon and Miller over to Rika that morning following the impromptu baking session.
“So, unless you have more baked goods for me, what brings you in here other than the latest update from Rosa?”
“Well, this is a little awkward.” Lily had come in for the advance on her pay, but with the latest development, the need had become paramount.
“Trust me, sitting here all day, I’ve heard it all,” Rika said gently.
“You probably have,” Lily agreed. “I know I haven’t been here long, and I’m super grateful for the opportunity to work, but is there any chance that I can get an advance, or earlier payment?”
“Hmm.” Rika looked contemplative, and tapped her pen against the notepad she was carrying. “Because of the way we have you set up, with housing, that might be a little tricky. Not impossible, but I may need to pull some strings.”
“I get it,” Lily said.
“Give me a few hours, and I’ll see what I can do.”
“I appreciate whatever you can do,” Lily looked at one of the desk phones in the office. Rika’s eyes followed hers.
“You can go ahead and use the phone.” The HR Director guessed what she needed. “Use line 3. I can’t wait until I get that larger space, so I can have separate rooms for private conversations.”
“Thanks again,” Lily said, but Rika was already looking at the next person waiting to speak with her. She separated herself so she wouldn’t accidentally hear whatever that tearful employee needed to say, and pulled the card for the auto repair shop out of her bag before picking up the phone.
Unfortunately, she was going to have to tell them there was a delay in making that deposit, what with the unexpected motel cost.
A gruff male voice answered, and Lily identified herself, making sure that she wasn’t overheard.
“I’m calling to say that I won’t be able to make that deposit in a few days as planned.” She closed her eyes, bracing herself for whatever the auto mechanic would say next, steeling herself for the worst. Maybe she’d have to pick up her car or else it would get towed to a pound? Maybe she’d have to pay additional fees for leaving it there?
But she wasn’t prepared for what he said next.
