Chapter 224: New Job
*I guess you could say that I moved here for a man. He’s twelve days old and weighs three pounds. – Rye*
The rest of the week was spent getting certifications required by the state to work at a daycare. Karan had arranged classes for everything that would be needed. Most of them, Rye was exempt from. Either because of her teaching degree or the classes that she had to do to get custody of Michael.
Since she took advantage of the free course offered by the hospital, Rye already had her first aid and CPR training and did not have to come in on either Saturday. Instead, she hit the thrift store for more jeans and baby supplies.
At Tank and Ink’s insistence, Rye had met their wife, Evie. The three of them had a great relationship and Rye found herself liking both men against her better judgment. She even liked Tank’s little brother, Athos.
After her thirty-dollar shopping spree, she took Evie up on her offer of using their laundry room. Rye liked it because it saved her some money and she didn’t have to use the laundromat. Evie liked it because she got to help with history. She was missing teaching.
Plus, Evie was the youngest of her family. With Rye, she finally got to be a big sister.
The men in Evie’s house liked it because she had a break from being stir crazy. Which meant that they also had a break.
Monday rolled around and Rye stopped by the hospital before going to work. Even with spending thirty minutes with Michael, Rye was still one of the first ones to arrive.
“It smells wonderful!” Rye said walking into the industrial kitchen.
“Thanks.” The black-haired teen said. “I’m Priscilla, or Priss. Whichever.”
“I’m Camille.” The blonde said. “And if anyone asks, I was not in the kitchen.”
“She’s dangerous in the kitchen.” Priscilla laughed.
Camille rolled her eyes muttering something about it only being one kitchen fire.
“Rye.” She nodded towards the muffins the teen had just taken out of the oven. “Are those blueberries?”
“Yes ma’am. We have a school holiday today so we’re here to help.” She made a motion for Rye to follow her into the large laundry room. “Lynch, Rye. Medium, blue, quantity ten.”
Rye was shocked when the girl handed her a box. “What’s this?”
“Your shirts.” She tugged on the shoulders of her own shirt. Rye noticed for the first time that the girls were wearing a pale green polo with The Clubhouse on the left breast and their names above Volunteer on the right. They both also wore stylish jeans and thick soled black leather boots.
“Linens are washed daily, children’s shirts before and after every use. If there are any accidents, protocol depends on the child.” Priscilla explained.
There was a wall of cubbies sitting above two sets of front load washers and dryers. The first few rows of cubbies held sheets and blankets for the cribs in the nurseries. The other cubbies held about thirty bright orange shirts each. Each cubby was labeled with what was inside, the size and quantity. The quantity was in dry erase marker.
Above the machines, was a shelf that was made from butcher block. Tucked in a little cubby of their own, was a set of folding boards. Between the two sets and at either end were locked cabinets that were labeled chemicals.
“Well, go on, I want to see!” Camille insisted.
Rye sat the box back on the counter and opened the lid. Reaching inside, she pulled out a brand new, still in plastic, dark blue polo. More excited than the teens, Rye tore the plastic and pulled out the shirt. Smoothing it on the counter, she swiped away the tears.
Touching the bright red lettering of her name, Miss Rye, she fought back against the tears. “I can’t remember the last time I had a new shirt.”
“Really?” Priss asked unable to hide her surprise. Camille gasped before she could stop herself.
Something clicked into place inside Rye, and she straightened as her eyes dried, and voice hardened. “My dad was KIA in Afghanistan, and it was hard on my mom after that. New clothes are not a necessity. Thrift stores have everything I need.”
“Please don’t tell me that you’re wearing someone else’s panties.” Priss said acting as if she had not noticed the change.
Laughing, Rye shook her head. “No. Multi pack from Target.”
“Thank God!” Camille said dramatically.
“I’m sorry, I don’t usually talk that much. Especially about the past. Can we-”
“My granddaddy always said if it’s not your story to tell, don’t tell it.” Priss said with a shrug. “It’s your story. Not mine.”
There was a loud clatter from the kitchen and Karan cursed while the teens laughed.
The two girls looked at each other and said “Karan.”
“Heads up, Karan!” Priss said as Karan came through the door. She rubbed her head with one hand and held her phone with the other.
“Shut it.” Karan smiled and then squealed. “Oh good, do they fit?”
“Just got into the box.” Priss laughed.
With just a little further encouragement, Rye switched shirts and tucked it into her ‘new to me’ jeans. She gave a small spin, and the others told her how good she looked.
The other employees arrived and Priss got busy taking pictures. Along with staff pictures and ID cards, she also took pictures for the brochure, website, and social media.
Camille disappeared into an office doing the backend of the work. Priss worked well with people where her friend preferred not to be seen. They both wanted to work in public relations and had a small business for which they did work. They might be young, but their work was impeccable.
Around noon, Karan said that they were going to call it a day. They would all still be paid for a full day and tomorrow they would start training on the daycare procedures, protocols and getting to know each other better. To help with that, they were given questionnaires.
Rye was not looking forward to filling it out.
