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Post by Joey Miles on Feb 22, 2009 0:55:24 GMT -5
It wasn’t like money been scarce was a new thing for Joey’s family, but since the foreclosure on the ranch and moving to Washington State money was almost non existent. As a child Joey would lay and listen to her mom and dad fight and bicker over money. As she got older they had fought more and more without bothering to hide it from her. And since arriving here Forks they had been arguing more then ever and that morning they had told her it was time to head out and get a job. Contributing her mother called it. Joey had had jobs through out high school. As well as helping with the ranch she had several paper rounds, Baby sat for different families, dog walked and as she had gotten older she had worked in a local grocery store, and a video store; anything to bring in more money for the household.
So today on a typical rainy Forks day Joey set out on her bike to rove the town and find a job. The town wasn’t exactly a metropolis, but it held a few places to try.
Newton’s Olympic Outfitters was her first stop where she had been told they were fully staffed, but happy to take her number and hand written resume she had prepared. The Mini Mart on Main Street told her the same thing with a smile and another copy of her resume gone. New she tried several stores also on Main Street, but each smiled and took a resume to keep on file.
The day was wearing on and the rain was beginning to fall harder. Joey was riding slowly along the street when she saw the café and its bright lights. Never having any spare cash she had to need to know where such things were so this place was entirely new to her. Anything was worth a shot right? Pulling her old bicycle up on to the sidewalk she carefully lent it against the wall of the building next door. There was no point locking it, it was old and run down and even in the biggest city she doubted anyone would steal it and certainly not here in Forks.
By now the rain was bouncing high off the asphalt. Quickly walking to the door Joey stepped in side and tried carefully to brush off the most of the rain. A few tables were dotted with people drinking coffee and eating from bright colored cups and plates. She glanced around the walls at the amazing art work hanging there, each piece unique and amazing; even at the glance she offered them. She didn’t have time for a gallery tour now when a job was needed.
Slowly in her wet sneakers she approached the counter, her feet squeaking and slipping slightly as she did so. Her head held firm and her eyes ahead. A tall, dark hair man was behind the counter as she approached. Joey smiled and cleared her throat a little. “Hi I was wondering if I could see the manager or owner about any open positions you may have here.” Joey spoke the now well spoken lines as a rain drop ran from her hair and down the side of her face. She knew she must look a sight as she reached up to rub it and pushed her hair behind her ears.
(Tag: Noah)
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Post by Noah Carter on Feb 22, 2009 23:46:32 GMT -5
The frequency of rain of Forks was one of the many reasons that Noah was grateful that he lived just upstairs from where he worked. He never had to worry about bad weather on his way in or out of work, or about not making it to work in time since he was the one who opened and closed and completely ran the small coffee shop on his own. As he watched the rain streaming down the glass window of his shop, he was able to appreciate how beautiful it could look at times, the way it constantly reflected light and distorted the shapes beyond it. But he was also glad not to be getting soaked in it. The rain and cold temperature of the area was also perfect for his business. When people were cold and wet, a warm cup of coffee, tea, or other flavored hot beverage sounded pretty enticing to most.
The coffee shop wasn’t empty today, but it wasn’t packed either. It rarely filled up to the point that a customer couldn’t find a table or had to wait too long in line. While most business owners probably wished they got that busy, Noah actually preferred it to stay more like this. He felt the atmosphere was more relaxing when there wasn’t an overabundance of people there. If it got to the point where people would have to shout to be heard over one another, the place would seem more like a bar than a café, which was not what he wanted for his business.
Noah looked up with a smile as the new woman approached. She wasn’t someone who he remembered seeing here before. It was always nice to see new people discovering this place. “Hi, well…I’m the owner of this place” He said hesitating about her mention of a job. He had always worked here alone and never really given a second thought to hiring additional help, but then again no one had ever inquired about it either. As he paused he gave a quick thought, knowing that business had picked up over the two years he had been here, and he probably could afford to take on someone, but he wasn’t even sure right now in what capacity that would be. He looked at her soaking wet from the rain.
“Why don’t I get us both something to drink, on the house, and we can sit and talk about it” He suggested, willing to hear her out but not ready to say whether he might be willing to hire anyone at this point.
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Post by Joey Miles on Feb 23, 2009 14:20:36 GMT -5
The café was warm and smelt of coffee. The two combined were threatening to make Joey’s nose run as the man behind the counter spoke to her. She was a little shocked to see he was the owner, she’d assumed perhaps a work or manager. He seemed nice as he offered a warm drink and a talk, though the idea of the talk didn’t strike Joey as something an owner would do with a job candidate. However, after today the hot drink certainly sounded welcome and the price was perfect for Joey.
Joey smiled at him, “Thank you. A coffee would be great.” She said reaching in to her wet, ragged satchel to pull out a resume. “I have a small resume for you, if you’d like to see.” She said laying it flat on the counter. Its corner were a little wet and creased, but the information was clear and neatly written in her own hand. She knew a computer was well out of her price range, but she also knew she would need one one day soon if she was to ever realize her dreams of been a journalist. Joey planned, once she got a job – any job, that she would put away a very little each week to save up for a computer; she knew even a second hand one would be expensive.
Joey glanced around at the couple of empty tables. “Should I sit or would it be easier to talk here?” She asked the man, “I’m Joey by the way.” She said extending her hand and hoping her sleeve didn’t dip rain water everywhere.
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Post by Noah Carter on Feb 23, 2009 14:46:00 GMT -5
"Coffee it is then" Noah said getting her a cup of coffee and himself a chai tea that he had already brewing before she got there. He briefly looked at the resume that she prepared while his hands busied themselves fixing the drinks. He knew he'd learn much more by talking to her than whatever was on the paper, but she had spent time on it so he didn't want to ignore it completely either.
"We can sit over here" he said motioning to one of the tables "That way I can see if someone comes in and needs something" He said, figuring it would be more comfortable for them to sit and talk than stand at the counter discussing this. He brought the two drinks over to the table as well as some cream and sugar for her in case she took that with her coffee. Once he had set down the drinks he reached out and shook her hand with a smile.
"Pleasure to meet you Joey, I'm Noah, please have a seat" He told her gesturing for the chair and sitting across the table from her once she was comfortable. "So, what kind of job are you looking for?"
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Post by Joey Miles on Feb 25, 2009 1:59:01 GMT -5
Following Noah over to the table Joey ran through her sales patter in her head; the sales pitch to sell herself. As she slipped into the seat opposite him she instantly hugged the cup of coffee with her hands to warm them. The coffee was black and hot, just the way she liked it. Adding a sweet n low she stirred it in while thinking about his questioning. What kind of job did she want? Saying any job just sounded desperate, but since when didn’t?
Joey found herself looking at the rain falling on the window behind him as she thought how to word her answer. Her mind was full of far fetch stories, but she new truth was far better.
“Noah, the truth is I will take any job you have. I just need to help my family.” She said still staring at the window pane. Sometimes truth was best said without a face to say it too. “I’m a hard worker and dedicated and loyal. I just need to work and help out financially at home right now.” She said letting her eyes drift back to her cup. Pulling it up to her lips she took a long drink of the hot liquid letting it slide down her throat and burn away the humiliation of been so open while warming her bones.
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Post by Noah Carter on Feb 25, 2009 12:30:31 GMT -5
Noah was moved by Joey's words. A young girl just trying to help out her family, willing to take any job she could to do so. He didn't doubt her words at all, knowing some might play up the sympathy card to get hired. She was sincere. He could see the determination in her eyes, knowing that she would be a hard worker, just as she said. Noah only wished he'd be able to do more for the girl than he thought he could truly offer her right now.
"Well, right now I'm the only one working here, but I could probably use a hand" Noah said, knowing that when they got busy and at the end of the night, cleanup was always the most time consuming and kept him there longer. If he could have someone to bus the tables and clean up throughout the day, he'd probably be done at least an hour earlier after closing, and would be less rushed throughout the day as he filled orders. "I can't offer you much, and it wouldn't be too glamourous, just busing tables, and cleaning up a bit. What is your availability like?"
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Post by Joey Miles on Feb 25, 2009 12:59:47 GMT -5
Defeatism wasn’t a quality Joey liked in others and in the past she hoped it would never reside in her, but after today she felt completely defeated. Sitting down with Noah she was just going to explain she needed a job and leave it at that, yet she found a little more of the truth past her lips then normal; she blamed the rain and the tiredness for her loose lips. Drinking more coffee before she let anymore private issues out she listened to handsome dark haired man explain his situation.
The news that hit Joey’s ears took a while to register in her brain. What he was offering was great, it was work and it was paid work. She didn’t mind busing tables and cleaning or the lack of glamour; not that she had ever had any glamour anyway. Placing her cup down gently back on the table Joey tried not to get overly excited and control her glee.
“I’m available now.” She shrugged and smiled. “I don’t attend college or school and this would be my only job. So I can be on call, if needs be.” She said with another half smile and slight shrug. She would be anything that this guy needed if he would only give her the job, any money would help right now at home.
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Post by Noah Carter on Feb 27, 2009 23:17:38 GMT -5
Noah watched Joey's reaction to his statement. He could see the instant joy and relief spread across her face as she eagerly told him of her availability. He reached down to his cup and took another sip of the chai latte. He was still trying to figure out how this arrangement would work, having never had an employee before. But she seemed ready to help, he could at least give her a chance.
"Are you planning on applying for any other jobs? Or going to school once you've started?" Noah asked her. It wasn't something that would make him say no to her now, but he thought it would be good to know, and he also wondered how long she'd stay if she found another offer.
"I keep the place open odd hours sometimes, close on random days if I want to to get out. Your schedule won't always be regular" He admitted to her. "I won't need you to come to open the store, but depending on how busy it is you may need to stay after closing to help get things cleaned up for the next day"
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Post by Joey Miles on Feb 28, 2009 1:13:38 GMT -5
Mimicking Noah’s movements Joey reached out and brought her hot coffee to her lips sipping on it as he spoke. How do you tell someone you can’t afford college? Or that there are no other jobs? He had been her last hope and the last thing she wanted to do was make him feel like a last option. “I won’t be attending school anytime soon.” Joey said leaving it at that not wanting to explain further and hoping he wouldn’t push. Poverty was a odd subject; known but never discussed. She wasn’t going to tell anyone of just how tight it was at home.
Cradling her coffee cup in her hands she pressed on in answer to his questions. “I live very close to town so been on call will be no problem.” She smiled, “As for the unusual hours, I enjoy a little variation and spontaneity.” Shrugging and hoping to pull off a carefree manner Joey set her cup back on to the table.
It would have seemed desperate to admit she’d take any hours open to her. Work any shift or odd hours he wanted her too, but both things was what she was willing to do to bring a little cash into the house and maybe save some to put towards realizing her dream. “I’m happy to work however little or much this place needs a cleaning, bus girl.’ She smiled. “Perhaps we could start off on a trial and see how we both work together?” That’s was one thing going for her in her journalist future; Joey could talk her way into most things.
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Post by Noah Carter on Mar 5, 2009 15:21:52 GMT -5
Noah nodded as she said she wouldn’t be attending school anytime soon. While he wouldn’t have said no to it, it would have affected how much of the job he could give her, and whether it would be full time or part time, and what hours he would be able to count on her being there. Right now he didn’t count on anyone being there, or even have set hours for when he opened or closed. Luckily it seemed to work, and the customers didn’t seem to mind, understanding he was the sole employee. "How old are you Joey?" He asked, wanting to make sure he didnt overwork her if she was still a minor.
He smiled as she said she enjoyed variation and spontaneity. “That’s very good, because I can’t guarantee you things will be the same from week to week, I can be a little…unpredictable in my work habits.” He said, hoping this didn’t put her off from working here. He was very professional, but he was also an artist, it was in his nature to be spontaneous and to let himself be suddenly taken over by inspiration.
Noah smiled again as she mentioned trying it out to see how they worked together and whether this worked out for them both. “Alright, I like that, a little trial run to see if this fits us both…maybe give it a week, then we’ll see how we’re both feeling about the situation?” He suggested.
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Post by Joey Miles on Mar 9, 2009 10:24:32 GMT -5
Irregular hours and odd shift patterns were the least of Joey's worries as she sat there opposite Noah desperate for the job while trying not to seem so desperate.
"I'm 20." Joey said with a nod, hoping the youth would add up in her favour. From the work she had done growing up on the ranch and how she helpped out at home now Joey was no stranger to hard work. Nor was she a stranger to irregular hours. "I don't ming irratic work patterns. A change is as good as a holiday, my dad says." Joey smiled then quickly dropped her gaze and her smile and looked around the cafe again. The art work was amazing and Joey knew her mother would like it. She made a mental note then that whether she got the job or not she'd bring her mother in here one day, for coffee and an art tour.
Listening to Noah's agreement to the trial term Joey could have almost hugged him. She knew she could impress him with her work and her dedication; just coz it was a part time bussing and cleaning job didn't mean you didn't give it your all. There might not be much left of Joey's all, but she was willing to give it to keep this job.
"So when would be best for this Trial?" Joey asked, she would start right then if he suggested. Then she could avoid the rain and begin to feel productive and worth something again.
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Post by Noah Carter on Apr 24, 2009 10:51:28 GMT -5
Noah nodded as he listened to Joey tell him how old she was. It was good that she was over 18, it would make it easier if he needed her to stay to close later in the evening. He lightly rubbed the bit of hair on his chin as he thought about how things would work out. It hadn’t been a planned position but he saw it having potential to turn into something good. It could ease his load a bit and give him a few extra moments to spend on his real passion.
“I like your dad’s sayings, he sounds like a smart man” Noah told her with a smile. He appreciated people who were flexible. The young woman in front of him was already showing her willingness to work, so he wasn’t seeing that he’d have any problem with her work ethic.
“You can start whenever fits your schedule best” Noah told her. “I wont hold it against you if you’ve made other plans for the next few days and need some time to clear your schedule” He said understandingly.
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Post by Joey Miles on May 2, 2009 20:12:10 GMT -5
Giving all this information actually gave Joey hope that something, may come of this little chat. It was the first real interview she’d had since beginning her search for a job in Forks. It had to be within Forks as Joey didn’t drive and cycling to Portland was a little extreme even for her. This man actually seemed genuinely interested in hiring her too, and the job sounded perfect for all. All Joey did was concentrate on making a good impression and thinking positive.
As Noah lamented on her father Joey smiled a little, these days her father was everything but smart. He was depressed, negative, a little alcoholic. The phrase she had quoted came from the days before the accident, but Noah didn’t need all the boring history. “He can be.” She smiled politely. “Sorry been his daughter I tend to rabble off some of his phrases occasionally. I do try not too.” She said with a shrug.
It was nice that Noah wouldn’t hold it against her if she had preset plans. A novel idea, Joey did very little that couldn’t be changed; housework, job hunting, reading, writing. Of course she wasn’t going to tell him that, but Joey knew she was going to take this trial. “No no, I’m available immediately if that’s ok.” Joey told him honestly, “And I can do a trial while I wait for the rain to stop.” She smiled nodding at the weather and sipping her drink.
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Post by Noah Carter on Jul 3, 2009 16:14:28 GMT -5
Noah smiled understandingly as Joey mentioned often rambling off some of her fathers sayings though she tried not to. "Its alright, you've grown up with those things, its no wonder you quote him" He said not minding. At least she wasn't saying anything offensive.
Noah nodded as she informed him that she could start immediately and that the trial could take place while she waited out the rain. He wouldnt want her to go out in this weather, so was fine with that idea. He was already thinking over scheduling and what he'd be able to offer her as pay for the job. Knowing he could think over the details while he watched her work.
"Alright then. Why don't we say that your trial will start after we finish our drinks" he said, not going to rush her to start. "You can stay through closing if you're able"
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Post by Joey Miles on Jul 12, 2009 11:16:53 GMT -5
Quoting was one thing, but normally the phrases only came out when she was nervous or upset; they were like a way to cope with emotions. It was nice of him to excuse her ramblings. In fact the more the spoke the more Joey was realizing Noah was a nice guy, or seemed to be. “Yea.” She said absently as she thought of her father and wondered if he’d even be happy when she told him she’d got a job. Her mother would nod, her grandfather probably wouldn’t notice and she doubted her father would even acknowledge her. That was home life, which was private.
The trial seemed to have come at a perfect time, she needed a job and the rain falling made outside a place she didn’t want to be. Joey had faith in herself about this trial, for the first time in a long time she had a positive feeling about it. Maybe it was a turning point for her and her life. Just the day before she’d been feeling negative and dejected toying with the idea of asking an author and local doctor for an interview, now she was facing a job prospect.
“Thank you, for this trial. I wont let you down I promise.” Joey said after setting her cooling drink down onto the table. She looked directly at Noah and tried to show him how serious and dedicated she would be. “And I’ll be able to stay as long as you need me. Closing is fine.” She smiled openly and honestly wanting to make a good impression and secure this job.
Joey didn’t ask about wages or hours, she’d take it a step at a time and see what came of it first. She worried if she asked he’d think that was she was in for. “Well I’ll just get started cleaning away these cups, if you want to show me where everything goes and how it runs.” She smiled.
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