It's Better This Way(7)

“You, too.” Despite her joy at seeing her aunt, her shoulders slumped.

“I think I know what you wanted to see me about.” Julia reached across the table and gently squeezed Carrie’s hand.

Carrie looked up. “Did Mom call you?”

Julia nodded.

“I heard them arguing. They think it’s time I got my own place, and I agree. Only how can I ever afford one on what I make? As it is, I’m hardly able to make my car and insurance payment. Mom has me on their phone plan, and I give her money for that, and I contribute what I can toward groceries.” That was all she could afford. She had a measly hundred dollars in savings, and that wouldn’t last a millisecond in a real emergency.

“Your mom is in a tough spot.”

Carrie was aware of her mother’s feelings on the matter. “I feel awful about this, I really do. It’s just been so hard for me to find a job that pays me enough to afford to move out.”

The server stepped forward, cutting in to their conversation, and they placed their order.

Carrie waited until he left before continuing. “Hillary and Marie were smart in their career choices.” As a physical therapist, Hillary could work as many hours as she wanted. And Marie, a respiratory therapist, had skills that were in high demand. She could have her choice of work in any one of the area’s hospitals.

    “Don’t say that,” Julia said. “You graduated magna cum laude.”

“It doesn’t feel like it,” Carrie whispered.

Their food was delivered, and as eager for Thai as Carrie had been earlier, she no longer had an appetite. Reaching for her fork, she rested her elbows on the table. “What did Mom say?” she asked.

“She loves you, Carrie, and wants what’s best for you.”

That was a given, seeing how long Carrie had been living off her folks.

“I have an idea for you, though.”

Carrie looked up from her plate as a fleeting sense of hope filled her chest. “You do?”

“Have you ever considered being a concierge?”

“A concierge?” She frowned and shook her head. “You mean like in a hotel, booking reservations at restaurants and such?”

“Sort of. The Heritage is looking to hire one.”

Her interest was piqued. She loved the idea of working at The Heritage. “What would I be doing?”

“I don’t have a full job description; the only thing I can tell you is what my experience with the concierge has been.”

Leaning slightly forward, Carrie was eager to listen.

“When I first learned a condo was up for sale it was the concierge who showed me around. My real estate agent was with me, but the concierge is the one who answered my questions. She collects packages and handles all the details for scheduling repairs. I’m sure there’s much more.”

Carrie listened intently. “Do you think I could do all that?”

“Of course I do. In fact, I think you’d be perfect. You’re a natural with people and have a way of smoothing ruffled feathers.”

    Carrie was willing to admit she enjoyed her role of peacemaker. “It sounds good; I just wonder if I’m qualified.”

“With your broad experience, I think you’d be fine. The board is gathering résumés this week. I would encourage you to apply.”

“Can I do it online?”

Julia hesitated and appeared to give it some thought. “You could, of course, as I’m sure that’s what the vast majority will do. If it were me, I’d stop in personally. You’re only a block from The Heritage now. It wouldn’t take much effort to walk in and fill out an application. If you like, I can print out your résumé at my place.”

“I’ll give it a go,” Carrie decided.

Her aunt gave her hope when she badly needed to see the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel.

“One more question. Do you know what the position pays?”

Julia shook her head. “I don’t, sorry.”

She’d find that out soon enough, although she desperately hoped the salary would allow her to find a place of her own. “Can I use you as a reference?”

“Of course. I’d want you to, and I’ll be happy to put in a good word for you, although I don’t know if it will be of much help.”

“It can’t hurt.”

Carrie sampled a bite of her lunch, feeling a tad better. Working at The Heritage was bound to offer more than her position at the drugstore, and would certainly be more enjoyable. It was a beautiful building and the residents seemed friendly.

“Like I said, Carrie, I can’t be sure what the pay is; however, there’s one major benefit that comes with this position that I didn’t mention.”

    “You mean other than I’ll be able to see you on a daily basis?”

“Yes, more than that. Much more. The concierge position includes a studio apartment.”





Chapter 3




Julia was happily taking a day for herself. She planned to meet Hillary for lunch, and had scheduled a massage and hair appointment for the afternoon. The new owner of West Coast Interiors was starting to rely on Julia a bit more than she liked, especially when it came to dealing with contractors. It would be far too easy to fall back into the pattern of working full-time, and that was something she wanted to avoid.