Any Suggestions

Apple Cider Vinegar or Pepto Bismol?

I only have one chance to make the right decision. My 2nd interview for this job is a few hours away and I don’t think combining both medications to temporarily relieve me of my ~cough~ complication would be a good idea.

I take a deep breath. I’ll go with the vinegar.

I fill the medicine cup measuring 2 teaspoons and drink it down in a hurry. I then gulp down a half cup of water to rinse my mouth.

I hope it works.

I dress my sons and then myself. For the first time in weeks I feel pretty. I’m on my way to a last minute job interview for the Community Relations Coordinator position. I shouldn’t even be going but when I didn’t hear back from them I followed up with a phone call and the Director asked me to come in right away.

“Well, I really had chosen someone else for the position, but since you called you kinda threw a wrench in my plans. Come by and we’ll talk about the position a little further.”

Sounds great. Only….

I still have my medical condition which prevents me from taking long trips outside of my house and I am at home with my sons since their father took them out of summer camp in exchange for giving me $280. I went through hell trying to find a babysitter but I finally found one.

The sky is a dark gray so I pull on one of my favorite sweaters and head over to drop my boys off. I then take the half hour drive to the company located in Pembroke Pines.

I chat a bit with the receptionist and the Director comes out to greet me. We walk back to his office and he tells me he doesn’t have a lot of time so he’ll get straight to the point.

“On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your ability to speak in front of an audience?”

It’s difficult to hide my smirk as I reply, “10.”

“We have a training class on the 27th of June in Orlando for two days, would you have a problem making it?”

“No problem. I’m sure I could arrange something for my sons with enough notice.”

“I must say that you are exactly what we are looking for, but the main concern is your ability to be available to work by 7am. Is that still a problem?”

“Yes. Like I said, my son’s schools don’t even open until 7:30 and I live more than a half hour away from here.”

He leans back in his chair and frowns.

“I’m trying my best to work with you. I believe you are the best person for the job and obviously everyone else did too,” he smiles.

I laugh. “Yeah, that first interview was kinda funny. It reminded me of highschool. Who is the most popular girl?”

He laughs, “Most Likely to Get the Job, you mean.”

I laugh.

“Man,” he says. “You don’t have any support, Ms. Tee?”

I shake my head.

“No one can pick the boys up for you and take them to school?”

“No, not everyday. I don’t have anyone stable like that in my life.”

“It must be difficult for you to find employment with no support. I’m telling you, as a single Mom you are exactly the type of person needed in the position because you could be someone who shares her life story and encourages others that they too can succeed.”

“That’s my goal in life.”

He sighs and looks at me. “Are those your real eyes?”

“Sure are,” I reply with a smile.

“Simply amazing. I’ve never seen anything like that before.”

Yeahhh….

“So I know we discussed a starting salary, but I can raise it a bit for you. I think you’d be great for this I really do.”

“Well, maybe I could move closer to here. How’s the real estate in this area? Miami is very expensive to live in and it would be nice to have a break.”

“Pembroke Pines isn’t much better than Miami. You could try Miramar which is right down the street but I don’t have any suggestions. Wow. The fact that you are willing to move really shows me that you don’t have anyone to help you.”

I shake my head.

“What are you going to do?” he asks sounding concerned.

“Keep trying. Something will happen. Things are a little more difficult for me because I’m a speaker and a writer and most companies need people to do accounting work, book keeping and data entry. My best skills aren’t highly sought after.”

“We need a speaker. We really need a quality speaker.” he sighs. “You are making this very difficult. The CRC position starts their day early but finishes early. If you have to make a presentation at a school you’d need to be there by first period and that starts shortly after 7am.”

I bite my lip.

“Why don’t you take some time to think about a solution,” he asks me. “If you can come up with any way to guarantee you will be at work by 7am then we have a deal. If not, call me by tonight anyway to let me know so that I can move forward.”

“I understand,” I say and smile.

We both stand up and he walks me to the door.

“My Mom raised 4 kids by herself,” he tells me. “I understand your need to succeed.”

I nod and walk out of the door.

I pick my boys up and we go home just in time for my “illness” to catch up with me.

I call my Mama to tell her what happened. “Oh well,” she says.

I email my friends to ask their opinion and to gather suggestions. No one has anything that I could do TODAY to be able to give an answer.

I’m sitting here in my dress shirt and underwear. My makeup is still fresh. I’m still wearing my earrings. B says to have faith. My body says take a nap.

The BEFORE CARE program at my son’s school opens at 7am which is still not enough time for me to drive the half hour plus ride to Pembroke Pines. Plus, my boys attend different schools.

If I don’t come up with a solution, I will have to turn the job down.

Hmm…. I don’t know what I will do. Just two weeks before my expensive rent is due again.