EXCERPT Snowflakes began to fall from the gray sky above Amy Clayton, just as she was
about to enter the downtown mall. She was glad she had decided to wear her
jacket with the hood today. It would probably be snowing heavily by the time
she finished her business here and was ready to head for home. Once inside the
mall, she took refuge away from the numerous holiday shoppers and stuck her
right hand into the pocket of her jacket. She withdrew the small news ad and
viewed it again.
Helper wanted for holiday season. Part time only. 4 to 6 week days, 9 to 6
Saturdays and Sundays. Must be neat, courteous and reliable. Apply in person
at Jensen's Toy Shoppe in the downtown mall.
Amy slipped the news ad back in her pocket, brushed a few wet snow spots from
her jacket, and then looked around. She spotted the Jensen Toy Shoppe on the
tier to her left. With a slight feeling of fear, she nonetheless gathered up
all the strength she could muster, and headed for the escalator that would take
her to the upper tier. It was no wonder Amy was experiencing just a little bit
of fear, perhaps mixed with some anxiety and apprehension. After all, she was
only ten years of age, and this would be her first try at applying for a job.
She exited the escalator, almost bumping into an older woman, whose hands were
filled with shopping bags. After excusing herself, she headed with unsure feet
to the toyshop. The shop was crowded and, for a moment, Amy almost forgot why
she was there, as her brilliant blue eyes scanned all the wonderful new toys the
shop offered for sale. She was looking longingly at a beautiful stuffed animal
when a dark haired sales lady approached her from behind.
“Can I help you?” the lady spoke out.
Amy turned and looked at her, and tried to smile.
“That's one of our finest bears,” the lady said. “And he is only twenty-five
dollars. Shall I wrap it up for you, young lady?“
“Oh, no,” Amy murmured, a bit nervously. “I was just looking at him. He is
nice though, but I am not here to buy anything.“
“Oh?” came the saleslady's response. “So, you are just window shopping, is
that it?“
“Uh, no,” Amy replied awkwardly. “I'm not doing that either. I'm here about
the job.“
“The job?” the lady said, looking puzzled.
“Yes,” Amy said quickly. “The helper's job. Is it already taken?”
Then Amy withdrew the now crumpled news ad from her jacket pocket and handed
it to the woman. The woman read it quickly, then looked down and smiled at
Amy.
“How old are you, dear?” the sales lady asked her politely.
“Ten,” Amy said truthfully.
The woman smiled again.
“Well, you are much too young, I'm afraid,” she explained in a soothing voice.
“You see, state laws forbid us from hiring anyone under the age of sixteen.“
“But I'm a good worker,” Amy told her. “My teacher, Mrs. Evans, says I am the
best worker in her class, and I help my mom at home, too. I can do lots of
things. I can clean, sweep, do dishes, and lots of other things. Sometimes, I
even help my mom with cooking meals.“
“I'm sure you do, dear,” the saleslady said, admiring this young girl's
attitude and determination. “And I'll bet you would make a truly fine and
capable employee, but the law is very clear on that sort of thing. You wouldn't
want to get us, or yourself, in any trouble, would you?“
“Oh, no,” Amy stated honestly. “I wouldn't want to do that. I just want a
job. You see, my dad lost his job at the insurance company where he worked, and
my mom has to stay home because I have a new baby sister that she has to take
care of. I have a smaller brother, too, but he's seven now, and not so much
trouble any more. I thought if I could get a job, like after school and on
weekends, I could help my mom and dad pay some bills, and maybe we could even
have a nice Christmas this year.“
“Well, that certainly is very admirable and unselfish of you, but we just
could not hire you because of your age, you see?“
“I -- I guess so,” Amy responded, a look of sorrow crossing her pretty face.
“I didn't know there was any law against working.”
“If you come back and see us when you are sixteen, I am sure we could find a
spot here for you,“ the woman told her sympathetically.
The woman extended her hand and Amy shook it.
“I'm sorry we can't hire you,” she told Amy, “and I hope things work out for
you and your family. Everyone should be able to have a nice Christmas.“
“That's what I think, too,” Amy said. “That's why I was trying to get this
job.”
The woman nodded her head in comprehension, and then walked with Amy to the
entrance of the store. A tear formed in Amy's left eye as she departed the Toy
Shoppe and headed to the escalator.
Now she would have to go home unemployed, she was thinking, and there would be
no toys for Justin or baby Nicole this Christmas, or for herself either. There
might not even be a turkey or ham, she pondered…
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