"Just give the number a call and ask to make an appointment."
I gave Sabrina a hug. "Sorry I snapped at you. Thank you for trying to help."
I closed the door behind me and let out a sigh.
I didn't want to come crawling back to my mom and stepdad.
Jake was my stepdad and we had a huge falling out before I moved away. I don't even remember what the argument was about but what I do remember was that my mom took his side and I hadn't talked to them since.
I went back to my apartment to figure out what to do next. I opened the fridge and as usual it was empty. It had been empty for the past couple of weeks but it was a force of habit to check to see if there was anything there. I sat down at the dinner table and imagined eating a huge steak dinner. I kept telling myself over and over in my head not to call my parents.
I went to my laptop and searched for job listings. I found a few that would work for me and sent my resume over. The problem was that I've sent my resume over to hundreds of companies and I hadn't heard a thing back from any of them. I wasn't going to give up though. My plan was to keep applying and hopefully I would get lucky.
Two weeks passed without a single job interview. My outlook seemed hopeless and I just wanted to crawl into a cave a die. I barely had enough money for food and to top it off, my power had been shut off. I really had hit rock bottom.
There was a knock at my door and I knew it could only mean one thing. I opened it up to reveal my landlord, Mr. Bushard. "Hey Kennedy, I'm stopping by because I need to know what's going on with your rent."
"I know Mr. Bushard, its been tough for me lately and I'm really trying to scrounge up some cash for you."
"I understand that you're having a difficult time and I'll give you one more week to get me the rent. Otherwise, I'll have to kick you out. I'm sorry it's come to that but there's nothing I can do."
"Don't worry, I'll get you the money." I closed the door and heard Mr. Bushard walking down the hallway. I sat down on my couch in front of the powerless TV and wondered what I would do. My parents were my last chance.
As much as I hated to surrender, I had to call them. I picked up the phone and hesitated before I dialed. I knew that once I did this, there would be no going back. I thought about it for a few seconds before I started punching the numbers in.
The phone rang a couple times and then a male voice picked up. "Hello?"
I was so nervous my palms were sweating. "Uh hi, Jake, it's Kennedy."
"Oh hello," he replied. I expected to hear a a hint of anger in his voice but there was nothing.
"Well um, I know it's been awhile but I need some help," I said, twirling my hair.
"What's going on Kennedy?" He actually sounded concerned.
"I'm having a lot of money problems. I don't have enough for food or rent."
"You don't have a job?" Jake asked.
"I did but I lost it. I've applied to over a hundred jobs but got nothing back."
"Okay come back home and I'll help you out."
"I don't have to drive all the way there. You can just send me a cash or check."
"That's not how this will work, Kennedy. You come here or I won't help you out."
I didn't have a choice. I was going to have to see Jake face to face. "I'll be there."
"Be here tomorrow." Jake hung up the phone before we could even say goodbye. I set the phone down and was shocked that I was really going to see him again.
I didn't get much sleep that night. I stayed awake in bed for hours, staring at the ceiling, wondering what it was going to be like. Then the day came and my stomach was in knots. I went through my closet a half a dozen times looking for an outfit to wear. I finally decided on a skirt and a nice tank top.
I did my hair and makeup like I normally did. My mind was racing with everything that was going on and I just needed to sit down and relax. I went to the kitchen and fixed myself a vodka drink. I usually only had alcohol when I was out with friends or if I had a really bad day at work. This was one of those special occasions.
After feeling a little buzzed, I knew it finally time to go. I got in my car and drove to my hometown, feeling very nervous.
I drove into town and realized that nothing much had changed. All the old shops were still standing and in the same place. I recognized a few people walking on the sidewalk and almost waved at them but I knew they probably wouldn't remember me.