Here's Your One Chance

[Adelyn]

Finally she was 18 and could get out of this hellhole. No more roaches crawling across the toes of her shoes. No more holes in the walls where the cold air from outdoors would waft in. No more looking in the cabinets, hoping to find some food when she knew they would be empty. No more having to use five blankets piled on her to stay just a little warm at night. No more cold showers because they couldn’t afford to use the hot water heater. No more sitting in the dark once the sun went down because they had to keep the electric bill as low as possible. No more hand washing her clothes in someone’s dirty bath water.

Her mom used to try, years ago. She worked hard at two jobs trying to keep the bills paid and the two of them fed. She didn’t have any real skills, having dropped out of high school to run off with her boyfriend at the time. Of course that didn’t work out and there was soon a new guy in the picture. Fancy had stopped counting after that and her mom had probably lost count by now. Fancy was the result of a three month relationship with a district manager of a auto parts chain. He was the most refined of all mom’s multiple lovers. Hence the name, Fancy. But after a few months mom figured out he was married and broke it off. She did have some morals and refused to have sex with married men.

He knew about the baby but refused to give mom child support, saying his wife wouldn’t understand where the money was going. Mom thought about fighting but she was broke and he was very rich. She had heard tales of rich men being able to take the baby away from the mother because money gave them power. So she kept silent and did the best she could by Fancy. Until the last few years, when she seemed to just give up trying. They had been just barely scraping by since she was around 14.

Mom also kept letting these low life men move in with them. They started looking at Fancy as she matured, her figure filling out nicely. She was on the shorter side at 5’2” and only weighed 110 pounds but she was a full 34C with a nice full ass, too. She had waist length blonde hair that hung straight down her back and beautiful green eyes that had gold flecks in them. Her lips were full, kind of pouty looking and she had always managed to take great care of her teeth, so they were sparkling white. She had the kind of skin that didn’t need makeup, smooth and rosy.

When her figure started maturing her mom’s boyfriends would sometimes start glancing at her in a new way. Fancy didn’t understand why at first. They started saying sweet things and brushing up against her. But one day a couple years ago a brave one went a bit further and grabbed her, pinning her to the wall, one hand on her ass, the other on her breast. He breathed his rank breath into her face and said, “Damn but I’d love to fuck your sweet young ass.” Fancy twisted and turned, saying, “Let me go or I’ll tell mom! Let me go, you asshole.” But his grip was firm, even though he was totally wasted. Fancy had taken advantage of a free self defense class her school had offered and used a couple moves on him, a quick sharp jab to the privates with her knee, followed by a hand slice to his windpipe. He fell to the floor, curled into a tight ball, whining and moaning. He left her alone after that.

Fancy worked hard after that to avoid all her mom’s friends. She hid in her room when she knew they were coming over or left to stay with a friend when she could.

But now! While she was at her friend’s house she had started checking on Craigslist for some way to escape. Just last night she had seen an ad for free room and board in exchange for some personal assistant work. The details were a little vague but Fancy was sure she could handle whatever the job required. She had worked hard in high school and was set to start college in the fall, tuition and books paid due to three different scholarships. She never wanted to be in the situation her mom was in, working menial jobs that didn’t pay shit. She had quickly emailed the person who posted the ad and was just waiting for a reply now. She hurried to Mandy’s house to check her emails.

 

[Adelyn]

When Fancy read the response to her email she got so excited she started to scream and jump up and down, grabbing Mandy and dancing her around in circles. “I got an interview! And on top of room and board it pays $500 a week. Can you believe it?” Just thinking about it got Fancy all excited again. Mandy grinned at her and continued to dance with her around the room. Once the two girls calmed down Fancy read over the email again. “I have to dress the part. How can I do that? All I own is old hand me down rags,” she cried out.

Mandy said, “You are about the same size as my mom. I bet she would let you borrow an outfit to wear. Since she’s a secretary she’ll have the right kind of clothes. And I can style your hair for you, braid it and wrap it around your head. I’ll do your makeup too, make sure you look the proper prissy personal assistant type.

Fancy started crying, feeling overwhelming gratitude for such a wonderful friend and having hope, real hope, for the first time. Fancy wrapped her arms tight around Mandy and said, “Thank you, thank you, thank you, for being such a good friend.” Mandy hugged her back tightly and said, “You are just as good of a friend to me, if not better. Remember when I broke up with Tony and you let me cry all over you? And you made sure I stayed away from him, which was for the best. He turned out to be a real ass.” Fancy said, “That’s what we are suppose to do for each other.”

“It’s Monday now, so the interview is in just two days. I guess I need a plan. I need to figure out the bus route and make sure I have enough money to get there and back home. Will you ask your mom tonight about the clothes? Will you pretend to interview me, too, so that I’ll be comfortable answering question?. Or do you think your mom would? She would probably know the kinds of questions they will ask.” Fancy was bubbling over with excitement.

Wednesday morning Fancy was up with the dawn. After a quick cold shower she headed to Mandy’s house to get ready. Mandy’s mom had picked out a great outfit and had spent a couple hours doing a mock interview with her. She felt as ready as she could be. After dressing and letting Mandy do her hair and makeup she headed towards the bus stop, butterflies doing a mad dance in her stomach.

 

[Adelyn]

Fancy glanced around as she was led into the office. She had to work hard to keep her mouth shut. She had never seen anything so glamourous before. There was dark woodwork all over and deep, plush carpets underfoot. Even the smell of the place was rich. It was several minutes before she saw the man standing behind the desk, waiting for her to notice him. She blushed deeply and said, “I’m so sorry. It’s just that you have such a beautiful home. I’ve never been in a place like it.”

He remained silent and she babbled on, “I’m looking forward to the interview. I don’t have any real work experience but I’ve been taking care of things at home for the last four years. My mom hasn’t been able to oversee our home so I took over the responsibility for her. I’ve been paying the bills, making appointments, keeping everything clean and organized.” Fancy realized how she must sound and shut her mouth. She watched him for a minute, neither of them saying anything, until he gestured to the chair in front of him.

She smiled, glad he wasn’t sending her right back out the door. She walked gracefully over to the chair, knowing he was closely watching her. She sat down, back straight and crossed her legs, like Mandy’s mom had told her to do. She was wearing a light cream colored silk shirt that molded to her firm 34C breasts and a black pencil skirt that ended just above the knees. Mandy’s mom had let her borrow some black hose and black three inches heels. Mandy had applied subtle makeup to highlight her eyes and lips. Her hair was braided and wrapped around the back of her head. Fancy knew she looked good and that confidence showed.

 

[Adelyn]

Fancy gasped and quickly slid an arm around the man’s waist, helping him sit down on the couch. She kneeled down in front of him, holding both his hands and said, “I think you need medical attention. I’ll call for an ambulance and wait with you until they get here.” Fancy hurried over to the desk, dialed 911 and gave the operator the address of the house and a quick list of the man’s symptoms. “He is pale, rapid pulse, he is clutching his chest and his left arm seems to be weak. I think he’s having a heart attack. Please hurry.”

Fancy hung up the phone and hurried back to the man, regaining her hold on his hands. “They are on their way. I’ll let your staff know to expect them. I’ll be right back. I promise.” Quickly making her way to the door, Fancy spoke quietly to the lady that had led her into the office. After explaining the situation she hurried back to the man, not wanting to leave him alone.

“I’m not sure what else I can do for you, sir. Your staff is waiting for the ambulance. They will direct them in here as soon as they arrive. I’ll wait with you until they get here. You shouldn’t be alone right now.” Fancy glanced at his face, fearing what she might see there. Instead of pain or worry though, his face glowed, like it was lit from within. His eyes were bright and shining back at her, a slight grin on his face. Fancy’s brows lifted, a questioning look on her face.

 

[Adelyn]

Eyes wide, Fancy answered, “Right away, sir, but….are you sure you’re ok? Shouldn’t you get checked out at the hospital?”

Fancy’s heart was beating so rapidly. She lifted her hand to her chest to hold it still. A unsteady smile flitted across her face, excitement slowly overtaking the rush of adrenaline that had been driving her the past several minutes.

What he had said finally began to take over her mind. She had the job! She was free. Escape was within her grasp and she was determined to grab on with both hands and not let go. She would do anything he asked of her, go above and beyond, to make sure that he was pleased with her.

“Oh, sir, thank you! I promise you won’t regret it. I will show you how much I appreciate the opportunity you are giving me. I will be the very best personal assistant you have ever had.”

Reaching over, she grasped his hand and just held it for a moment.

 

[Adelyn]

Fancy smiled at Mr. Cullington and followed Jen out the door. After a tour of the house and a through look at her new exquisite room, Fancy rode with the driver back to her house. She quickly gathered together the few items she had any interest in keeping. She made a quick phone call to Mandy to let her know everything that had happened that morning. She promised to return her mom’s clothes as soon as she could.

Once back at the house Jen went over a list of her duties with her. Fancy smiled, feeling so happy inside and asked what kind of employer Mr. Cullington was. Jan told her, “He is stern, expects a lot out of his employees, but no more than he expects from himself. He has very high standards, but you can see where that has gotten him. Listen closely to him and obey what he asks of you and you will do well here.”

“Oh, I shall. I’m very good at listening and helping wherever needed. I’m very excited for this opportunity. I promise to try my very hardest to make Mr. Cullington’s life easier.” Fancy replied.

Jan said, “You should get along excellently then. Let’s return to Mr. Cullington and see what he wants you to do now.”