The Beginning:
I knew today was going to be a bad one the first moment I stepped out of bed. I ended up over sleeping and had forgotten that I had to take a shower before I left. Usually when I start the morning off bad, the day follws in pretty much the same fashion.
It was raining, of course, once again this morning. I almost hydroplaned off the road on the way to work, but gained control just in time to hit a gigantic pothole near the edge. On a good day, I get to work atleast 15 minutes early. That is enough time to put everything in my locker, check to see which zone I am working for the day, and maybe even eat a little something before work begins. This morning- I walked in only three minutes before I had to clock in…
The Between:
” I cannot believe the projected budget for today is almost $60,000,” I thought. Currently- the time was around 9:30. I clocked in at nine. The day had a slow start, and it had already felt as if I was there a few hours. In a way, I liked knowing the day was going to get busy. I knew I would have plenty to do, and the day would pass seem to pass quicker than usual. I hate being bored at work, but $60,000 means a crap load of people piling into a Nike store to be messy, ask pointless questions, and forget ever last piece of common sense he or she once had- if any. So… I began to dread the day that was ahead of me. Not to mention my zone was located next to men’s footwear- A zone currently being worked by a retard we like to call Travis.
Why he is a retard: ” Your boyfriend has many weird views on a lot of different topics.” (My answer: ” No. My boyfriend is open to a lot of views for a lot of different topics.”) But this whole “him being a retard” thing is another long story… But it is boring and really has no point- besides confirming he is a retard.
After talking to Travis for about two hours (Actually it is ” After Travis talking to me for two hours”), people started to fill every empty space able to fit a human body imaginable. This place was packed.
After my lunch break, I noticed a mini-soccer ball being kicked back and forth between customers unknowingly. I felt compelled to pick up the sucker and take it back to the bin in women’s apparel on the other side of the store. I weaved between the different groups of people and finally stepped into women’s clothing- a zone I usually worked. I was amazed to see a stand draped with so many unfolded tee-shirts that it looked like a clothing weeping willow. Everywhere I looked… clothes thrown, tossed, unfolded, and folded into orgami animals… Everything Except folded neatly and placed into their proper place. I looked at Jeri, the woman working the zone by herself (or so it seemed), from across the mounds of clothes. Her eyes were huge. ” Need help?” I asked.
” That would be amazing… Thank you.” she replied in a zombie-like trance. She was a robot at the folding table- her eyes looking down.
After telling another woman working in my zone that I was going to help women’s because it need it… bad, I wasted away almost an hour and a half straightening alone. When I finished, Jeri thanked me and I thought I would ask her why she was in this zone alone on one of the busiest days we have had this summer. Her answer: ” I’m not…” she pointed to her left. And there- standing and talking to someone else like he always does- stood Travis. Doing absolutely nothing.
A few hours later, I noticed that Jeri had disappeared from her zone and it seemed as if no one was over there at all- besides crazy women running around and destroying everything folded and hanging on that side of the building. It was a beautiful thing…
A few seconds later I found myself over there fixing everything again. I really don’t remember how I ended up there. It was a blur. But there I was- Me, the clothes, the hangers, and the shelves. So I worked. Then suddenly, I hear, ” So- you over in this zone now?”
I look up to see Retard hovering over me… Continuing to do… absolutely nothing- like I had found him before. ” You are worthless,” I thought. ” No. Actually, I am not over here at all. I am helping Jeri while she is on break.” I said. I really didn’t want Jeri to return to the disaster it was just because she was stuck with a slacker for the day.
” Oh… Well, okay.” Is all he said. And then he continued to stand there and look knowledgeable. That is the only thing he could do to look that way- stand there- Saying nothing because then that would confirm his lack intelligence.
” I am doing your pull now.” I said- sarcastically- in an attempt to make him move toward the clothes to fix them.
And it failed. ” Okay.” Is all he said.
After what seemed like a few hours- but in reality was only a half an hour, I threw the last shirt down and marched into the stock room- where I collided with two managers.
” Do you know there is no one in women’s apparel right now?!” I almost screamed. By then, Travis had left for the day and Jeri was still at her break. “There has been no one working it for the last 45 minutes… except me- And I am in men’s apparel today.”
” Uh- no, no… I didn’t know that.” the manager stuttered. I believe he was confused by the tone of my voice.
” Well, the only reason I was over there was because I felt bad for Jeri. Obviously, Travis does not do his job!” I found myself back on the floor… wondering when I had left exactly- and then wondering if my job was on the line. I didn’t mean to take my anger out on people ho had nothing to do with my frustration- and who just happened to be my boss… I am glad I have always been on his good side. I would have needed atleast that much.
Basically the rest of the evening followed in about the same manner. Tons of people, stress, and unfolded clothes. When it was finally time to leave, I thought the problems would end, but I realized they were only the beginning.
The Ending:
So I get in my car. Jamie just happened to meet me after work. She worked the same hour I did. I thought it would be a good idea if she followed me home, and we could fill out an application for Nike. She agreed, and we went to our cars. I pulled out first, and she followed me.
I noticed my car wasn’t shifting like it usually does. I couldn’t tell if I was doing something to mess it up- or if the car was deciding to shift when it wanted. Right after topping a hill, my steering wheel locked up, and I started toward a ditch. When I went to hit the break, the car jerked a little before dying.
” I am having such a wonderful day,” I said aloud pulling the E-break and putting the car into park.
Jamie stops behind me and puts her hazards on. ” I cannot believe this.” I said. She continued to ask me what I thought was wrong- and me being the car expert I am came up with the great answer “I have no idea.”
At that moment… a car full of rednecks pulls off to see if we are okay- or to rape us one- It’s all the same. “We’re fine.” I smiled pretending to talk on my cell phone. They quickly drove off- I was relieved. And so was Jamie.
About two minutes later… A police officer pulled behind us and directed cars around ours. (Keep in mine my car decided it would be perfect timing to die at the top of a hill.) Although the world was against me, God was not. A best friend following me home, and a police officer two minutes after car trouble. What else could I have asked for at that moment? (Besides a working car, obviously.)
About ten minutes later my uncle pulls up and puts a little bit of gas into my tank. Seconds later my car starts… and I am embarrassed that I had let my tank get that low- Even though my gas light hadn’t even came on yet.
” I only gave you enough to get to that gas station,” he said pointing up the road. ” I will meet you there and I can fill up your tank.”
After I had pulled into the gas station, we had tried for a couple of minutes to get the nozel to work. I couldn’t understand why it said “Begin fueling” and nothing came out…
” Yeah- that one is having problems. You might want to choose another one.” said the man wearing a white polo. He obviously worked there and had seen that we were having difficulties.
” Lovely,” I thought. ” Out of all the pumps to choose from…” I looked over at my uncle. ” My luck today- let me tell yah…” He laughed.
I finally made it home. Finally. And I do not work tomorrow. And I thank God for being with me every step of the way today. I am home, and I am content.
-Cierra
