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“It took forever to find a decent smock girl again,” he continues. “Then, she left to go have some schmuck’s babies in Topeka.”
“Well,” I feign a laugh, “I can assure you that I won’t be doing that anytime soon. Or ever. Most likely never. I don’t even know anyone from Topeka.”
“I’m from Topeka.”
I inhale a sharp breath and let out an awkward chuckle. “Okay, I don’t think Mrs. Trin would like me cracking a joke about having your babies, so I’m just gonna let that one slide…”
His head shakes. “I’m sorry, Jovie, but I already have interviews scheduled for today.”
“Cancel them.” He glares at me as he steps around the counter with his papers in hand. “I worked here for over three years. You barely have to even train me. Think of the time save, Mr. Trin. I know how much you value time save.”
He wanders across the shop toward the office in the back. “The other girls have good resumes,” he says, raising the papers above his head.
I follow one step behind him. “Yeah? Well, will the other girls arrange the dinosaur figures alphabetically by species?”
“No, they’ll arrange them by size and color the way they’re supposed to.”
“Oh...” I pass with him through the doorway. “That’s not very educational.”
“Hey, hey—” He points over my shoulder at the ‘Employees Only’ sign glued to the door.
I step back but stay in the frame. “You know, I hung this sign,” I say, rapping my knuckle against it.
“I know.” Trin collapses into his desk chair. “It fell off twice.”
“Come on, Mr. Trin.” I sigh. “I’m falling on my sword here.”
He wavers, flexing his jawline and squinting at me. “I don’t know—”
“Please,” I beg. “You can start me at minimum wage. I don’t care. My availability is wide open. Days, weekends, holidays. You name it, I’ll be here. I can start today — right now, if you need it. Just… please.”
Trin rubs his shiny head. “Fine,” he spits. “Seven twenty-five an hour. Ten to close every day with an hour lunch.”
I raise a brow. “Seven twenty-five? Is that really what minimum wage is now?”
He glares. “Is that a problem?”
“No, sir,” I say quickly. “Not at all.”
“We can talk about raising that if you last six months,” he adds.
I fill my lungs with relief. “Thank you. That’s perfect. Really. Thank you.”
He points over my shoulder. “Grab a smock from the back. I assume you remember where they are?”
“I do.” I spin in a half circle but double back slowly. “So, now that I’m hired… can we discuss a possible fifty dollar advance on my first paycheck?”
His stern face twitches.
I surrender my hands and back out of the office. “You’re right. Never mind. No problem. Sorry I asked.”
“Jovie…”
I poke my head back in. “Yeah, boss?”
Trin stands up and reaches into his back pocket for his wallet. “You can start tomorrow morning,” he says, fishing it open. “I want you here at ten sharp. There are a few things that have changed since you left so we’ll need to go over those.”
I nod, trying not to stare at his hands. “I’ll be here.”
