I went into the bedroom where my suitcase was to get ready for bed. I asked Carmen where her room was, and she laughed.
“Bedroom? I do not have a bedroom,” she answered.
“Where do you sleep?” I asked her. If not a bedroom, probably she used a blown-up mattress as I did in Florida.
“Right in there,” she gestured.
I followed her pointed finger to a door off the hallway. I wanted to see her space because the room where Mrs. Nagy told me to leave my suitcase was a bedroom. What I saw was typical of any closet. Jackets and coats were hanging there, and boxes on shelves. I laughed at the thought because this couldn’t be real. Who sleeps in a closet? Unless you were punished or endured cruel child abused as I’ve seen on television shows, this was unimaginable for a grown, sensible woman. But I was shocked when I saw a twin size mattress leaned up against the wall in the back.
I turned and looked at her. “Why?” I asked as I walked back to her. “Why do you sleep in the closet?”
“It is quiet and comfortable in there. The other lady that was here snores thunderously, and I could not tolerate the noise,” she explained.
“Oh! So, that was your choice to sleep in the closet?”
“Yes, it was,” she answered.
“Okay, then.” I desisted and shook my head in disbelief. “I am going to my bedroom. I’ll see you in the morning.”
I woke up to the voice of Mrs. Nagy as she greeted the ‘roommates’ good morning. My phone showed 6:35 a.m. Carmen told me that I start working at seven. I quickly got dressed and went out to the kitchen. Carmen was already up and preparing breakfast.
“Good morning,” Mrs. Nagy said, and in unison, we answered good morning. She wore a navy-blue dress with a zipper in the back. Then, she turned to me, “Come with me to the office,” she said.
I followed her to a small room next to the recreation room, and she closed the door behind us. “Have a seat, please,” she motioned me to the padded wicker chair.
What was with the formality? It felt like I was on an interview.
“Welcome to ‘Grace’ Nursing Home,” she began.
“Thank you.”
“Since this is your first time, let me tell you about the job criteria. When I get done, you can ask me any questions. One, the job pays fifteen hundred dollars, and you will get paid at the end of each month. Two, there are seven roommates here with a capacity for ten, and your job is to take care of their needs, cook, wash, clean, and assist them with their personal hygiene needs. Three, we have a dog here, Oscar, and you will need to feed him, take him for walks, and clean up after he poops. Four, Carmen will be leaving in a week; you will work alone until I get another person to help. Five, I am not sure if Carmen told you this, but you will be on active work on alternate nights. Six, do not answer the phone unless the call is coming from me. Seven, whatever you want, please give me a list. Eight, your work hours start at seven in the morning,” she stopped and looked out the window, then at me. “Those are the criteria, do you have any questions and or concerns?”
“I do, I do,” I snickered. I did not know where to start. I was confused and angry because none of the criteria were correct based on the information I received from Shelia and the Agency. How can they deceive people like this? They painted a picture of a good opportunity and withheld the ugly truth. The things we withstand for the chance of providing a better life for our families are sometimes inhumane. These people are immigrants as well, and they look down at us as if we are inferior. They tend to bully and intimidate us on doing the demeaning work as if we cannot do better. We have to take responsibility for our actions as well. We need to speak up and stand up against the unfair treatment we received to create change. I will not let anyone take advantage of me…worst case scenario, I can go to my auntie in New Jersey.
“Mrs. Nagy, I have questions and concerns on all the things you pointed out. First,”
To continue
Ok, I said it!
Oh la la…..