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He starts to glide it across the counter again, but I grab it, too, and we start a war of glares.
He’s a stubborn little shit. I wonder who he takes that after.
My phone rings in my back pocket and I grab it without releasing the plate.
I don’t recognize the number flashing on the screen so I answer cautiously, “Hello?”
“Is this Nicole Adler?” a woman asks.
My heart picks up speed and I unconsciously release the plate and wipe my palm on my apron. “Yes, this is she.”
“This is Diana from the Human Resources department of Weaver & Shaw’s law firm. Congratulations, you got the assistant position.”
“Oh, thank you. Thank you.”
“I wasn’t done, Ms. Adler. You’ll start on Monday and will be assigned to a junior partner and he requires a three-week trial period. If you fail, you’ll be paid for that period and won’t be permanently employed. If you succeed, we’ll sign a long-term contract.”
I gulp. “I understand. I’ll try my best.”
“Perfect. I’ll email you the requirements for your job as well as a virtual tour of the firm. It’s imperative you arrive early on Monday.”
“I will. Thank you.”
The moment I hang up, a tiny squeal bubbles in my throat and Lolli judges me with her little black eyes as if I’ve lost my mind.
“What happened?” Jay stares at me with expectation. “Good news?”
“I got a job at a huge law firm.” I round the counter and squeeze the hell out of him in a hug.
“I knew you could do it, Nikki.” He strains, but he squeezes me back.
I pull back, my smile vanishing. “You might have to spend more time with Mrs. Potter next door when I’m not around.”
She’s a kind elder woman and the only neighbor who welcomed us when we first moved in here. She loves Jayden and even Lolli and often watches them whenever I’m working.
“I don’t mind. She makes delicious pancakes.”
And then my little gift in life insists that I share the rest of his meal with him.
To celebrate.
From now on, I won’t have to live on the run from his father.
From now on, I’ll have the means to fight back.
* * *
On Monday,I wake up early.
After I prepare a lunch box for Jay, I place it on the counter with a Post-it Note that says “Don’t forget your lunch” and then bang on the bathroom door so he’ll hurry up.
He woke up groggy from sleeping in an uncomfortable position with me. This studio flat is the only thing I could afford with my various low-paying jobs. One sofa bed. A kitchen. And a very small bathroom.
But that’ll change.
I’ll make sure I’m fully employed and we’ll move out of this shithole in this bloody loud neighborhood.
My new boss can’t be as demanding as the many others I’ve worked for. He’s an attorney, after all.
