~Chapter 3~
When they woke up, it was after three and Atarah knew they had to get going. Nonetheless, she was glad no one bothered them. Anagé stretched, and Atarah
secured Michaela on her hip, and they set out. Atarah needed a job, that she knew for sure, but she also needed a place to stay. But to find a place to stay she
needed money. So, Atarah was set on finding some work. She walked down the long street, looking at buildings, looking for signs. She even asked a few stallholders
if they needed help, but they all said that they could manage. Atarah sat on the front step of a brick building and placed her face in her hands, feeling tired and
helpless. Suddenly, Anagé tapped her on the arm. Atarah looked up where her daughter was pointing, and then saw the sign in the door. It read: DISHWASHER
NEEDED.
Atarah stood up, this could be her chance. She, Anagé, and Michaela went inside. People stared at them as they walked in. Atarah had a hunch why. They were blue
alien people who were dirty and hadn't had a decent bath in days. Atarah, with Anagé behind her and Michaela in her arms, walked up to the bar counter. A man
behind the counter filling the drinks, just looked at her.
"May I help you?" he asked.
"Manager?" Atarah asked, the word appearing over her head.
"So, you need the manager huh? I figured. Judging by the three of you, you look like you could use a job anyway," said the man in a not so nice tone. "Wait here."
So, Atarah stood patiently with Michaela and Anagé while she waited for the man to bring the manager. She could feel eyes on her and her children as they stood
there. People these days, judging everything. A little later, a heavy-set guy with balding black hair, wearing pants, overalls, and a grease-stained white apron came
out.
"This is the manager," said the counter man.
"So," said the manager, scratching his balding head. "You saw the sign?"
"Yes," said Atarah.
The manager looked at Anagé and Michaela.
"Are those your kids?" he asked.
Atarah nodded.
"Are they well-behaved?" he asked, folding his arms.
Atarah nodded.
"Because if they aren't, then this may not be the job for you sugar," said the manager, then he sighed. "Come on back, I'll interview you."
Atarah found herself and her daughters in the small managers office. It was a very quick interview, he asked her basic questions, like if she ever had a job, which she
answered that yes, a long time ago, before she got married, she had worked as a babysitter in her teens, earned ten dollars an hour, Monday through Friday, nine to
five.
"Any other job experiences?" asked the manager?
"No," said Atarah, hoping that wouldn't ruin her chances.
At the end of the interview, the manager didn't say she had the job or anything, but he took her into a back room within the kitchen with a sink, drying rack, gloves,
sponge, and scrubber. This was the dishwasher room.
"We have a morning dishwasher that comes in front eight to three. So, if you come in at three, you'll be here until closing, which is ten. Of course, longer if you're
washing dishes. You can take a break at seven, and anything in the kitchen that has been cooked is yours to eat. I hope you enjoy eating steak, because that's what
we have a lot around here," the manager chuckled. "So anyways you got the job, as long as you get here on time, move at an even pace, your children aren't too
busy-body, and you eat only on break."
Atarah smiled and a happy smile symbol appeared over her face. She finally had a place to work. It was all almost too easy. Even though they had no place to stay, at
least they could make some cash to save in hopes to find for a place to stay.
"Alright? You understand that? Great. Oh, and by the way, I can only pay you minimum wage so you'll be getting $7.25 an hour, and we work everyday except
Sunday. We're closed also on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day, so uh, consider yourself lucky. Anyway, if you need me, my name's Bruce," said Bruce.
He held up a thumbs up. "Have fun." He closed the door and left.
Atarah sighed. Well, this was it, she might as well get started. Only $7.25 an hour, it could be worse. If she worked from three until after ten, it'd be an eight- hour
day. $7.25 times eight was $58. Multiplied by six days, that would add up to $348. If she made that much, and then some, she could book into a cheap motel with
her daughters. Atarah grabbed her gloves, put them om, filled the sink with hot water and soap, grabbed the scrubber, and began washing dishes. Anagé played with
Michaela, as Atarah washed away. All that afternoon was calm, but at around five, dishes in piles began to come in. almost as soon as Atarah had washed and dried a
stack of dishes, someone had come in to take those clean dishes to put food on them. At last, seven o' clock came, and it was break time. Atarah took her break and
she went into the kitchen to get some food. Bruce had been right, there was a lot of steak, but some other foods too. Atarah filled some plates with steak, asparagus,
carrots, and dinner rolls. The three of them headed back in the kitchen to eat their meal. After they ate, Atarah went back to work, scrubbing away at dishes. At last,
closing time came, and the last round of dirty dishes came up, including all the pots and pans the cooks used.
"Alright, good job," said Bruce. "You work fast. We sure did need some extra help back here." He looked at his watch. "Well, looks like you're going to be a little late,
hurry, I don't want to be here all night!"
Bruce left and Atarah got started on finishing the dishes. It was silent in the room except for the sound of the water in the sink sloshing around, and Anagé and
Michaela were fast asleep in the chair behind her. After eleven, it was time to go home, at last. Atarah removed her rubber gloves and set them down. She woke up
Anagé and took Michaela in her arms. Michaela shifted and buried her face in her mother's neck, still asleep. They left the restaurant, and Bruce locked up behind
them.
"See you in the morning," said Bruce, then he was gone.
Now, where was Atarah and her daughters going to stay? They couldn't go back to the alley, they needed to find a more secure place. Someplace abandoned or not in
use. As they walked down the dark street, thunder rumbled, and rain began to fall, and Atarah didn't have anything to cover her daughter's head's with. She was
getting ready to prepare with the idea of sleeping outside, when suddenly, she saw a homely looking man dragging a worn, over-sized coat heading towards a gloomy
looking building with dim light in the window. Atarah followed the man. Maybe he was going to a place to stay. She didn't want to guess wrong. She took a peek
inside from the door, and guessed right. People of all ages and species sat or lay asleep on mats on the floor with blankets. This was a homeless shelter. Atarah
walked in and stood there, deciding what to do. Suddenly, and old cat woman walked up to her.
"Hello sweetie, need a place to sleep?" she asked.
Atarah lowered her head and nodded.
"Well, no need to feel ashamed, we know how you feel, and we'll take care of you," said cat lady.
The woman gave them two mats and two blankets. Michaela was small enough to fit on the same mat as Anagé. That night, Atarah lay awake, tears in her eyes. So,
it had all come to this. She wished everything could go back to normal. She missed her husband, who was dead. She missed her home, which was destroyed by
minions of Aku. The world was cruel. In the morning, they ate bacon and eggs. They left the shelter and walked around wandering town until it was time to go to
work. as it was yesterday, as soon ad the dinner rush came in, the many dishes came in as well. Atarah became tired, but she had to stay strong and do this for her
daughters.
Two weeks passed. For two weeks, it was just routine days of washing dishes until night, going to the homeless shelter, waking up, repeat. At last, pay day came.
Bruce counted off the money.
"Three hundred and forty-five dollars," he said, placing the bills into her hand.
Atarah held the cash in her hands and sighed with some relief. Now that she had some decent cash in her pocket, she could look for a cheap place to stay. A place
that had heat, a bed, and food. And maybe she could get some fresh clean clothes since the ones that they had on their backs were on their last legs. That night, as
Atarah left the restaurant with her daughters, a sense of hope filled in a place of her heart where it had been lost.
Author's note: Thank you all that have read and reviewed so far! I hope you are enjoying this story and are curious to see what will happen next.
One chapter will be uploaded every Friday. If you want me to upload more frequently, you can let me know. Hugs and snuggles,
Makayla
