I brought the black tee to my nose taking in Gabriel’s scent one more time before I folded it. It was now a part of my treasure; the shirt of the first guy to ever kiss me. I chuckled. There was a possibility that I was a hoarder, on a very small scale of course. I used to love that show.
Anyway, it was time to get to work. My commute is taking the F-train from Briarwood-Van Wyck one stop and transferring to the E-train at Union Turnpike. The subway ride takes 30 minutes when there is no train traffic or other delays.
However, you could not count on that. One thing I have come to learn about New York, the streets always smelled like garbage and there were always delays. The girls didn’t have to be at work till six. I had to be there at three; which meant I had to leave the house at 1:30pm, just in case.
Before I walked out the door I turned back to make sure I didn’t leave anything behind or leave anything out of place. I had become good at being invisible.
I walked into Shugga’s Place at 2:45pm. You guessed it, the F-train was delayed nearly an hour due to work on the tracks. Quickly I made my way back toward the dressing rooms—my office. Once there I rarely left back out. There were things that went on in this place that I didn’t really care to see. And the people here weren’t that much better. Truth be told, most of the men that inhabited this place just out right scared me. The girls kept me pretty busy anyway; mending this, sewing that, finding this and rearranging that.
I opened my locker but before I could put my bag in it, Reggie stuck his head in the room.
“Hey Yas, Shugga want to see you in her office.” My hand paused in putting my bag in. I turned to look back at the locker. What could she want to see me about? I closed the door putting my bag back on my shoulders. Last night when she came in the dressing room frantic because Cookie had called in sick on their big night, was her first time talking to me since hiring me.
Gently, I knocked on her door.
“Come in Yasmin.” She called. As soon as I entered the room I knew something was wrong. Shugga had her no-nonsense face on, which meant somebody was getting ready to get fired. I just prayed it wasn’t me.
“Have a seat.” She gestured toward one of the chairs across from her desk. I took my backpack off my back and set it down by my feet as I eased into one of the chairs.
She sat back in her chair with her elbows resting on the arms, in her hands she held a pen that she turned between her fingertips.
“Do you know why I’ve called you into my office?” I shook my head.
“No ma’am.”
“It was brought to my attention that you indulged in some prohibited behavior with one of my clients. Shortly after your encounter he left, and half of his group left with him. Cutting off the money we were supposed to bring in.” I swallowed.
“I can explain—” I began, but she cut me off shaking her head.
“No need, you’re fired!”
Oh my God!
I put my hand to my chest as my heart lurched so hard it pained me. I shook my head.
“Please Shugga—” She held up her hand.
“Don’t beg southern girl, it ain’t a good look.” She used her hand to tell me I was dismissed. I stared at her for a moment, watching my life fall down. She sat up in the chair, putting her name brand spectacles on and went back to examining whatever papers she was looking at.
“Shugga please, I really need this job. I’ll be homeless without it!” Tears came to my eyes. She looked up at me and grinned.
“You should have thought about that before you decided to get inappropriate in my club.”
“I don’t know what happened. I’ve never done anything like that, and I’ve never given you any trouble. Please just give me one more chance!” She laughed.
“Girl, you must don’t know me very well. I don’t beg people to do their jobs. I fire them and hire one of the hundreds waiting to take their place. We tried you out, you didn’t make it. Move on, bye-bye!”
An array of emotions washed over me, shock, fear, pain and finally anger. I stood to my feet snatching my bag up off the floor.
“Fine, just give me my last week’s pay!”
“Last week’s pay, I don’t owe you a dime. If anything, you owe me for the money I lost last night.”
“Oh, hell no! You can’t do that. I worked, you have to pay me!” I cried. She laughed.
“Sweetheart, I don’t have to do a thing. You can’t prove you worked for me. I have no record of you being one of my employees. So, you’ve got two seconds to get out of my office, before I have Crusher throw your country a$$ out!”
“Eww, Shugga, why are you being such a bi—” I caught myself. You know what, no. I will not stoop to her level. My granddaddy always said every dog got its day. She raised one eyebrow with a smirk on her face.
But I’ll be remiss if I left without telling her this.
“This gone come back on you. The seeds you plant is the trees that grow.” I spat through clenched teeth. She
