“Well, First, I was told that I would get paid two thousand dollars per month. Now you are telling me fifteen hundred dollars. How is that?”
“You do not have any experience. If I see where you have grasped the concept and is doing a good job, I will give you two hundred dollars extra,” Nagy answered.
“Secondly, I was told that I work with five roommates, not seven. Thirdly, I was not made aware that I had to take care of a dog. However, I have no problem walking or feeding the dog, but I have a problem taking up the dog poop with my hand,” I uttered with disgust.
“You will wear gloves or a bag.”
“It doesn’t matter. I am not taking up the poop with my hand.” I looked straight at Nagy’s face, and she was getting irritated; her face had changed color – blush pink. “Fourthly, when Carmen leaves, who will alternate nights with me? Do you expect me to work for 24 hours?” I asked.
“Yes,” Nagy answered confidently. “You will work at nights as well while…,”
“Excuse me, so when do I get to sleep? When do I get to rest? When do I get time off? This action is ridiculous and nothing more than slavery.”
“You agreed to this job, and those are the rules.”
“It is unfair that I did not get the full job description so that I could make a conscious decision on this work.”
“Nobody is holding you here, you know. You are free to leave. Those are the rules, and that’s that. Everyone else adhered and complied,” she insisted. And another thing, do not get too friendly with the roommates because this is a temporary job, and there are no fraternizing allowed in here. Just do your job and that’s it.” Her attitude was so cold and heartless.
Her lack of compassion and care shocked me. Why does she work in this field if she had no empathy and care for the people she vowed to care for? She made a promise to their relatives to take care of their love ones; yet she lacks tolerance towards others especially the elders. The warning signs were there; I told you that her face looked mean. And my spirit was not melding to her attitude. I gave myself some time to respond to her. She didn’t live here, and I could do it my way without her knowing. I know what I was going to do.
“Okay. I understand your rules. As you wished, so shall it be done. Is there anything else I need to know? Is there a contract I need to sign?” I asked.
“Great!” She smiled for the first time. “There is no contract to sign. That is all for now,” she responded. Then, she stood. “You can go now to assist Carmen. I have some paperwork to finish; I will be right there.” She turned away from me; I was dismissed.
In the living room now, Carmen introduced me to the roommates. There were five women and two men. They all had their own personalities, likes, and dislikes. I was very fond of Margaret because she was a sweet lady. She called me Penny even though I told her that it was not my name. Eventually, I just answered to Penny. Probably I looked like a Penny to her.
It turned out to be a good day after all. Carmen and I worked well together. With the roommates in bed, I was able to take a hot shower. I went to the closet to speak with Carmen, but she was talking on the phone. She muted the caller and turned to me. “Tonight is your night to work,” she said. “You can sleep, but give a listening ear. And it is best if you sleep on the couch in the recreation area, there you can see and hear when anyone calls out for you.”
“I am not sleeping on that couch. It has a hole in it,” I responded. “I could hear the roommates from my room.”
“Sorry to burst your bubble, but I heard that we might be getting a new roommate. You will not have that room for long; enjoy the comfort while it last,” she shook her head.
“Really?! Where will I sleep?”
To continue.
Okay, I said it!