twenty-eight
Nerves fill me as I walk inside.
I’ve been here hundreds of times before, but today feels different. Today I’m not only a volunteer but an employee. Martha was kind enough to put me on the payroll now while working part-time rather than waiting for the school year to end.
I took the day off of classes to be here, but now I’m nervous. Am I making the right decision?
“Cora, there you are!” Martha says.
“Am I late?” I ask as panic washes through me.
Martha laughs. “Heavens no, I’m sorry if I scared you. I’m just so excited.”
I blow out a breath and laugh. “I’m excited too.”
“Good. If you’ll follow me, I have some paperwork for you, and then I’ll give you the lay of the land from this perspective.”
“Sounds good,” I say as I follow her into her office.
I take a seat right as she hands me a clipboard. Quickly I fill in all the important information. Name, date of birth, emergency contact, and banking details. When I’m finished, I double-check it and hand it over.
“Awesome. Now before we head out there, do you have any questions or concerns?”
“You’re good with me not starting full time until after finals at the end of the school year, right?”
Martha nods. “Yes. I know your brother graduates this year, so I was going to give you a week off at graduation and then have you start full time after.”
“Thank you. I know that my mom and brother will love that.”
“Of course. I try to make my staff as happy as possible. Have you found a place to live yet?”
“I plan on moving in with my brother’s girlfriend. We have a couple of places lined up to look at but nothing concrete yet.”
“Well, you have time. Just let me know, and I’ll make sure to change your address in your file. Now let’s go.”
Standing, we leave her office and head down the hall to the break room. When we walk in, people are standing around chatting. I recognize some people and others I don’t. They must be people who leave before I get here.
“Everyone,” Martha says, getting their attention. “I would like you to meet our newest staff member, Cora. Some of you may know her, and some of you may not. Right now, Cora is finishing up the school year at Walker U before joining us full time. She’s been an avid volunteer who’s gone above and beyond what we’ve asked of her, and I can’t wait to make her a permanent member of our staff.”
I raise my hand and wave awkwardly as I smile. Suddenly, I feel bad for every new kid who ever joined my school growing up. This shit is uncomfortable.
“We’re glad to have you, Cora,” Phoebe says as she pulls me into a hug.
“Thank you.”
A couple of other people come up and introduce themselves and say congratulations before running off to their first clients of the day.
“What now?” I ask as the room clears out.
“Now we look at the roster and see when the next family who needs help comes in.”
“Sounds good.”
Martha grabs the tablet that’s on the wall by the door that’s meant for staff and opens up what she’s looking for. “Well, lucky for you, it doesn’t look like anyone comes in for another twenty minutes if you want to take that one.”
“Hey, just tell me where you want me.”
“Martha, I’m sorry to interrupt.” We turn and see a man who introduced himself as Stan standing in the doorway with a frazzled look. “My daughter’s school just called and said she’s throwing up. Do you mind if I leave?”
