That's Amore

chapter one - rent due

Not again.

I think to myself. This is the third time I have been late with my rent. If I don't find a job soon, my landlord will kick me out. She's not someone you would want to be on her bad side, trust me. I check the time on my alarm clock beside me on my nightstand.

7:30am.

I sit up in bed and stretch before getting up. I walk into the kitchen to make a big pot of coffee. As the coffee brews I go into the bathroom to wash my face and brush my teeth. I'm going out to look for jobs today, so I want to look my best. I hear the coffee pot go off as I finish brushing my teeth. I make myself a cup of coffee with two sugars and a little milk. I take a big gulp of my coffee, feeling the warmth of it wake me up. I set my cup down on the counter and take a glance at yesterday's newspaper. I sit down and flip to the back of the paper to the Want Ads section. There I find that a hotel is in need of a maid. Knowing how tidy I keep my apartment, and knowing that I try to keep it as clean as I can, I highlight the ad and look through the others.

dog walker- In need of a dog walker. Three purebred chihuahua's, will need to be walked morning/noon/night. Worker will be paid weekly $35.

$35 just to walk dogs??? (probably in a really snobby, rich part of town). Three Chihuahua's at that! I think back on when I was a little girl, riding my bike along the road when my neighbors pet Chihuahua started trying to run alone side me and bite my ankle. I shudder at the thought.

let's keep looking, I thought to myself. My eyes scan the paper.

Waitress- Looking for someone with experience working in restaurants. Friendly towards customers, will need to work the week AND weekends. pays minimum wage.

Minimum wage? I was paid that at my last job and I could barely get by even before I scraped enough money for this apartment! After about an hour of looking I kept going back to the hotel's Ad.

Maid Wanted- Must have good work ethic. Must work weekends, Hotel not open on Sunday. Pays minimum wage. Call us at 863-2277 if interested!

I decided to give it shot. I like not working on Sundays, Sundays are for Church. I sit down on the bed and ring for the operator.

"Operator, how may I assist you?" The lady on the other line says.

"The Flamingo Hotel please." I tell her.

"One moment please."

I patiently sip my coffee as I hear the lady push a few buttons to transfer my call. It starts ringing after a few minutes. I hear someone pick up on the other end of the call.

"Flamingo Hotel." A man states. I clear my voice anxiously, preparing myself mentally to say what my purpose was calling the hotel. I take a deep breath and start talking.

"Um yes hi, my name is Angel Smith and I had recently saw in the paper that the Hotel is looking for a maid? I would like to a apply for that job, if that is, it's still available." I say all in one breath.

"Yes mam, let me just speak to the manager and I will get back with you! Stay on the line please."

"okay, thank you!" I reply hearing the man place the phone down wherever he was at. Few minutes later he picks up the receiver.

"Fortunately for you Ms. Smith we are still hiring for that position! If you want, you can come by today and pick up an application and fill it out!" He says.

"Awesome! Thank you so much I will be down there shortly to fill them out!" I say on the phone.

"Okay great! We'll see you soon!" We exchange goodbyes and I hang up the phone. I jump off the bed and quickly run into the bathroom to put on makeup and change out of my pajamas. After a few minutes I emerge from the bathroom with a full face of makeup on and a nice white blouse with ruffled sleeves and a dark red circle skirt, with my black converse. I grab my purse and head out the door.

Walking down the hallway towards the elevator I pass by my landlord. I try to sneak by her before she could see me, hiding my face with my purse focusing on my walking. It seemed the work cause she didn't see me enter the elevator. I press the button for the elevator to take me to the car garage, it slowly closes it's doors with an ear-splitting creak and violently jolts downward causing me to grab a hold of the fat, decorative, fools-gold bars around the inside walls. It starts moving on down slowly, stopping at the first floor of the garage. The elevator starts to open its doors and stops halfway. I pry myself out of the elevator, pushing on the two doors as hard as I could. I wiggle myself free and walk up to where I park my car.

Someone really needs to fix that elevator. This whole place is older than me, but the least you could do was fix the damn elevator, I thought to myself. I get into my car and start it up, smiling as I heard the engine purr. My Chevy Impala was my first car, as a graduation present from my parents and I've loved it ever since. I've taken really good care of it as well, she's my baby. I back out of my parking spot and start driving out of the garage, turning onto the road. I turn the radio on, Dean Martin's voice eases out of the speakers. I crank up the volume and sing along with my favorite Italian crooner, excited for the adventure that lies ahead of me.