“Yes sir.” I nodded and felt my shoulders slump as I walked over to make sure I had all the cleaning supplies I needed.
Carson City Inn was one of those places where you just did what you were told, even if it wasn’t in your job description. I didn’t apply for a position as one of the maids, but that responsibility had been thrust on me a few times when someone called in sick, or we were trying to hire a replacement. Rosa had only been working there for a few months, so she would probably get fired when she returned, even if she called in because she was knocking on death’s door. Mr. Pruitt wasn’t the kind of boss that cared about the health of his employees. If they weren’t at work, they were lazy—regardless of what kept them from being able to clock-in that day. My fate would have been the same if I ever dared to miss one of my shifts.
If I’m cleaning rooms tonight, I won’t be able to get any of my schoolwork done. I really needed a night of peace and quiet…
I hated cleaning up after other people, but I wasn’t one to complain if I was asked to help out. The first time I did it, I learned that human beings were absolutely filthy—especially when they weren’t the ones that had to clean up after themselves. The only plus side to doing it w
as that a few people did leave tips for the maids. I got a five-dollar tip for digging cigarette butts out of a drain in one of the bathrooms, a ten dollar tip for picking up used condoms that missed the trash can, and a pile of loose change for stripping sheets that were still saturated with the stains of passion off one of the beds. Thankfully, that was the worst part of my evening, and after one of the other maids showed up, I got to sit behind the desk where I was supposed to be.
It’s sad when this is what I look forward to, but at least I can do some schoolwork now…
“I’m going out again tonight, Leigh. Do you have to work?” My mother walked into the doorway of my bedroom and pushed an earring into her ear as she spoke.
“Yeah, but I’m sure I’ll make it home before you do—again.” I looked up from my laptop.
It’s been that way for nearly a week now…
“I’ll be home when I can.” She moved her hands to the other ear.
“Are those new?” I leaned forward and narrowed my eyes when I realized that she was wearing a pair of diamond earrings I had never seen before.
“Yes.” She smiled and nodded. “They were a gift from Edgar.”
“Wow…” I blinked in surprise.
“You should find a man to spoil you while you’re still young.” She let her hands fall to her waist. “It gets much harder once you’re my age…”
My mother didn’t wait for a reply before she hurried back to her bedroom so she could finish getting ready for her date—with Edgar. It was the first time she had mentioned the name of the guy she was spending so much time with. She usually didn’t tell me their names unless she planned to introduce us at some point. I really wasn’t ready to meet the next guy that was going to break her heart when he moved on, but the countdown clock was ticking in that direction if she was telling me his name. At least I was old enough for my interaction to be limited to an introduction. I wasn’t some kid he had to impress because he was dating my mother. With any luck, their relationship would go up in flames before I found out more than his name.
I’ll be the one that must console her regardless…
“Rosa?” I looked up from my laptop and saw the maid, who had officially been fired after missing the last shift she was scheduled for.
“Hey there Leigh.” She gave me a wave and a friendly smile spread across her lips. “I’m just here to pick up my last check from Mr. Pruitt.”
“You don’t seem very upset that you lost your job.” I raised my eyebrows in surprise.
“I landed on my feet.” She shrugged. “Once I got over the flu, I got a job at the Pembroke Hotel—it’s so much nicer than this place.”
“Ah…” I nodded in understanding. “Yeah that place is pretty fancy.”
“You should apply for a job there.” She leaned against the counter. “One of the clerks that works at the front desk quit yesterday. You’ve got experience…”
“I don’t know.” I sighed and looked down at my laptop. “Mr. Pruitt lets me work on my school stuff when I don’t have any customers to take care of—and it’s rarely busy here.”
“You would make more working part-time at the Pembroke Hotel than you make working full-time here.” She leaned a little closer. “You also wouldn’t have Mr. Pruitt staring at your ass every time you walked by.”
“He…” My head snapped back.
“You haven’t noticed?” Her eyebrows shot up in surprise.
“No!” I shook my head back and forth.
“It’s only a matter of time before he does more than stare—trust me.” She exhaled sharply. “That’s why I don’t work here anymore. It’s also why his door is going to stay open when I collect my last paycheck.”
I never considered myself oblivious to my surroundings, but I didn’t really pay attention to Mr. Pruitt when he wasn’t barking orders at me. There had been a few comments that I considered rather inappropriate, but I just brushed them off. Rosa collected her check from Mr. Pruitt and left Carson City Inn for what I assumed was the last time. I couldn’t ignore what she told me, and for the rest of the night, I actually paid attention when Mr. Pruitt was in my general area. Rosa wasn’t lying—his eyes wandered, and a couple of times, I felt like he was literally trying to undress me with a gaze. It was so revolting that I was sick to my stomach by the time my shift was over—Mr. Pruitt wasn’t my type, and to make it worse—he was married.
I think I was better off not knowing…