Chapter 1
Trysta sat nervously in the lobby of an office building, thinking about her future. Her purpose was to interview for a job as a housekeeper. If this went well, she could move out of her crappy trailer home for a few months. Then, if it continued to go well, she would find an apartment as far away from her craptastic life as possible.
“Miss Thompson, Mrs. Valewind will see you now.” A young woman in a dark pantsuit announced from the doorway. Trysta smoothed her hair over her ears to conceal her hearing aids. From her experience, many people assumed she couldn’t hear them and spoke louder. That is what the hearing aids did, giving her help to hear typically. Trysta followed the young woman down a hallway to a closed door. The girl knocked and stood back.
“Enter,” a stern voice called. The woman opened the door and motioned Trysta inside. She walked in, and the door clicked shut behind her. “Take a seat,” the woman at the desk ordered. Trysta swallowed and sat down. “I am Helen Valewind. You’ve been pre-approved for this job.”
“I have?” Trysta felt confused. This was her first interview for the job.
“My clients did a thorough background check on you. Before I explain more, I need you to sign a nondisclosure agreement.” Mrs. Valewind pushed a paper for her to sign across the desk. Trysta read through it.
I _______________ agree to keep the identity of my employers a secret. I will not disclose any information about my employer’s identity to anyone, including my family. Nor will I tell anything about their personal lives. If I violate the agreement, they will release me from my job and sue me for a million dollars.
______________
Name (Print)
______________
Name (Signature)
Trysta didn’t think twice, she needed this job, so she signed the agreement.
“Excellent. You have been selected to be the housekeeper for a famous band. They will be on tour for the summer. Your duties include cleaning the house, sorting mail, and overseeing any repairs needed on the house. Lastly, you will be caring for the dog who lives there. The dog must be walked twice a day, taken to biweekly grooming sessions, and fed twice daily.” Mrs.Valewind paused and looked at Trysta. “Any questions so far?”
“What kind of dog?” Trysta liked dogs; she just wanted to know how big.
“It is a medium-sized dog. I am not sure of the breed. Do you have issues with dogs?”
“No.”
“Good. There is a housekeeping cottage for you to live in while my clients are gone. When they return at the end of the summer, they’ll revisit your stay at the housekeeper’s cottage. If they choose to have you move out, your salary will reflect your need to pay rent.”
“Thank you for letting me know. When should I expect to start?”
“Please arrive at this address tomorrow. The manager will show you around to help familiarize you with the house’s layout. The group will be leaving the following day for their tour.” She placed a file with the address at the top of the desk.
“Okay, thank you.” Trysta smiled at the severe woman.
“If at any time you no longer want to work for my clients, please reach out to me with two weeks’ notice.” Trysta nodded but knew nothing would make her quit. She needed this job to get away from her father. “Excellent. Please let me know if you need anything. Good luck Miss Thompson.” Mrs. Valewind held out her hand. Trysta stood and shook it.
“Thank you, Mrs. Valewind.” Trysta waited until she was out of the office before jumping up and down. For a few months, she’d be able to escape her father. With this job, she would make enough to move out of town. When she did, she would change her number and never look back. White Ferry Trailer Park would become a distant memory. Trysta went home to the trailer she shared with her father. Thankfully he was not home, probably at the horse track blowing through his disability check. Using the time alone, she packed up her room. Her job came with a uniform. It was a navy blue dress with a white apron. The people employing her gave her three dresses and three aprons to keep. She had small blessings because she owned enough clothing for two weeks between washes. She timed it with her paychecks to use the laundry mat.
Trysta texted her friend Honor who was finishing her college degree.
I got the job! I start tomorrow and am moving out. With this job in three months, I’ll have enough to leave this town for good!
That is amazing! Where is the job located?
Storm City. It’s a four-hour drive from White Ferry.
Congrats, when I’m done with finals, I’ll come to see you.
Yes! We can go out for dinner. I had to sign an NDA. I can’t tell you who I work for or where I live.
Understandable Storm City is crawling with celebs. Rumor has it that the band The Shifters live there.
I love them! When I am around town, I will run into one.
Haha! What if your secret employers are them?
Trysta let out a laugh. Like the most popular band in the country would want her as a housekeeper.
Funny. I’ll let you know more once I am settled and have a good idea of my schedule.
Sounds great. Congrats again on the job, and good luck!
Trysta plugged in her phone and ate a small dinner. She’d have to leave by four am to be at her new job. Settling into bed after dinner, she waited for her father to come home. They’d talked about her interview, but she doubted he remembered. He was almost always drunk these days. Trysta fell asleep waiting for him.
“Trys, you piece of shit. Why is my door locked?” Her father’s loud drunken voice yelled through her window. “Unlock my damn house, woman!” He banged hard on her window. Trysta stood silently and went to the front door. She unlocked it and waited, holding it open. “Lousy good for nothing waste. You’re fat like your mother. Why do I let you stay, you slut?” Trysta remained silent. She’d learned to hide all feelings when around her drunk dad. Pierce Thompson stumbled through the door bumping into her along the way. “Get out of my way!” His hand came around, slapping her cheek. Trysta put a hand to her face to stop the sting. He was fast with fists as a drunk. Once he was inside, she locked the door and went to her room. Her clock read three am. Without a second thought, she scribbled a note explaining where she’d gone and left. That would be the last time a man ever hit her.
