Emotional Rollercoaster

Dillon was walking around with the rabbit bean bag doll in his back pocket when Max walked out of his bedroom. They ate breakfast, chatted about their plans, then Dillon drove me to the call center. I was sitting in a suit Jack had found at the thrift shop. It wasn't a perfect fit, but it was now the nicest set of clothes I owned.

Dillon had printed off my resume at the reception desk after a quick chat. Now, I was sitting in the lobby after a gruff, short stocky woman had come out, bellowed at Dillon as if he'd set her car on fire, then marched him behind closed doors.

After what felt like forever, but was probably only ten or so minutes, the woman came back out with a Dillon who was grinning like the cat who ate all the cream.

I hurriedly followed them back. They walked into her office, director! I could feel the sweat sliding down my face as I tried to keep a straight face. My heart was pounding in my chest as she waved him to a seat.

Her reddish brown hair was pulled up in a no nonsense braid, she had frown lines that spoke decades of stern lectures, she was wearing a power suit with every button in place, and not a wrinkle to be seen.

Dillon stood in the corner giving him a silent thumbs up as he mouthed, You got this! Rock it!

"So, Max. Lynn says you're looking for a job. Not only did this punk up and leave over a year ago, you have no call worker experience is that right?" Director Erika Simons asked slamming the two sheets of paper on her desk as she narrowed her piercing grey eyes on me with obvious disapproval.

I jumped, the desk had obviously been a custom build, Director Erika may only be three and a half feet tall, but her attitude made her feel easily over ten feet. "Yes Ma'am!" I answered like a stiff block of wood.

Erika pinched the bridge of her nose. "Look, we're always short on staff, so anyone who breathes will at least get an interview. Let me be honest, to succeed here you have to have a spine of iron. We get thousands of calls every day, hundreds of angry clients. You look like a nyce kid, but nyce doesn't cut it here."

I bit my lip, "I've worked customer service" Erika cut me off before I could finish.

"Retail isn't the same as patient care. Clearly, you're a hard worker, but most of your experience is stocking, warehouse, and only six months as a cashier. We are open twenty four hours a day. We have to deliver some of the toughest diagnoses, to the most devastated people. We get people walking in here screaming, threatening, begging. We have to explain to families every day that their moms, dads, sisters, brothers, daughters, sons, grandparents, husbands, wives, are terminal." Erika informed eyeing me over, and was clearly left wanting.

I trembled in my seat, but refused to look away. "I can do it. I was only moved off cashier because I worked three times faster than their second best stocker. I knew every isle like the back of my hand. I could also fill out online orders faster than anyone else. I have seven references, all of which offered to let me return in a heartbeat." I swallowed as I forced myself to not grip at my ill fitting pants. The more I spoke, the straighter I sat.

Erika sighed, took a deep breath, then sighed again. "I'll give you a six week probation. We usually work ten hour shifts, but you'll be on eight hours during training. When can you start?"

I wanted to melt in my seat from relief. "Uh, to," Dillon gave me another signal out of Erika's line of sight. "I can start Monday." Still, I felt the wide smile break out as I immediately stood to offer my hand. Standing over her, she probably didn't even reach my chest.

Erika sighed with a less stern smile, "Okay Max. Like I said, we always need staff. I'll have Human resources contact you via email. This is the best phone number yes?"

"Yes Ma'am, thank you." I was so relieved, a job. A good job, one that paid over minimum wage… had real benefits… I felt my eyes water as Dillon pumped his fist silently.

Erika gave the kindest smile I'd seen yet, "Don't thank me, I'm a harsh task master, and while I know perfection isn't possible, I have very high standards. Now off with you both, I have work piling up every second."

As we both climbed back into Dillon car, Dillon punched my arm. "Congrats mate! You rocked that! Damn boi! Look at you! She had me in teers first time I met her! Damn!!! That spine be made of steel!"

I burst out laughing as he grabbed my arm, I'd been so freaking nervous! Even after all of Dillon's pep talks, tips, signals! "Thank you Dillon… I don't… I don't know what I'd be doing without you…" I said looking Dillon in the eye. I had a place to stay, three people I could call, a job! I had enough food for at least two weeks… and… so much more.

"Mate! You got this! In three days you're going to be rocking the call center world! I've got some old notes I'll send you, things change all the time, so don't use them as gospel, but just as a tentative heads up! Damn! Just… Damn! We have to celebrate! Lunch is on me! What are we in the mood for?" Dillon asked with another light punch. His grin so wide I thought he'd actually split is face.

"Uh, that burrito place was good, and, uh, I can help you unpack more." I offered still riding the high. Three days! Okay, like two and a half. At that moment another text message arrived, it was from HR! A new orientation meeting was scheduled for Monday morning at seven.

Dillon glanced over, "Damn they work fast! I had to wait for two days! Damn Max, you are rocking and rolling! Burritos it is! Then sure, some more unpacking wouldn't hurt, then maybe another trip to the store before I drop you back off."

I grinned as I confirmed the time, to my surprise the orientation was at another location, but thankfully along the bus route. A hospital. That made sense, if this was just a call center attached to a walk in clinic, there probably wasn't enough room to dedicate a room for just orientation.

Dillon also grabbed some cupcakes from a bakery, as they were eating… Robby called. Max debated hanging up… but Robby would probably just call again.

Dillon saw me hesitating, my good mood all but gone. "Hey mate, I'm going to step out on the patio, call about possibly buying some parts for my computer. Take your time. The office is open." Dillon added as he grabbed his own phone.

I nodded as I set down the clothes I'd been folding, as Dillon stepped out I swiped to accept the call. "Just a sec Rob," I greeted before my older brother could start his tirade. As I closed the door, I sat in the very fancy gaming chair. "Hey Bruh…"

"Dude, where are you? Me and Ma have been worried sick! You haven't been on any of your socials in days. You find a new place yet? What about your jobs? Both said you quit same day, dude, that doesn't look good." Robberts rapid fire questions didn't leave me any time to respond.

"Yeah, yeah, new place," I cut in before Rob could continue. "I just finished a job interview, already scheduled for orientation," Before I could divert Rob's attention he started back up.

"That's pretty quick, is it a scam? Max, you've gotta be careful about all these fake postings. They didn't give you a check and tell you to buy work clothes or anything right? Those are scams, you deposit a check, spend money on their websites, then the check bounces, and you've lost everything, and usually don't even get anything you ordered. Send me a link, I'll check them out."

I felt like I was talking to a dementor… Robby was coming from a good place. I knew that. But damnit… I fell for one scam, back in high school. Now Robby thought I was falling for every crypto, subscription, toll bill scam out there.

"I was in the call center for the interview, no I didn't get a check, it's not a scam. I'm fine Robby." I tried to be patient, I was really, really trying.

"A call center? Dude, is it like, they sell life insurance type call center? You don't get paid base, it's all commission Max. Those jobs are all pyramid schemes, how'd you get an interview so quick? Are they making to you pay for classes?"

"Robby! It's not a pyramid scheme! It's not a scam! Christ! It's a call center for a hospital! Can we please talk about something else?!" I snapped. I hadn't even been on the call for two minutes and I wanted to turn my phone off for a week.