Shauna Jackson had just walked in the door, when her cell buzzed in her purse. She knew it was her girlfriend Layla. Shauna had promised her they would go out to the club after they both got off work, but after working an eight hour shift at a Wendy's the last thing she thought about was spending more time on her feet.
Shauna read the text about where and when to meet. She threw herself on the couch and texted back her apology for not going. She put her feet up and waited for the reply. When Layla texted back it was not so much a complaint but a request. Shauna knew that Layla was a house cleaner, and made great money. She wanted to do the same, but her criminal record kept her from getting hired. Now; Layla wanted her to take over for a week while she goes on a vacation.
The idea of making more money was something she considered, but the company Layla worked for would never hire her. If she missed more than a day of work she would be fired, not to mention her Parole Officer would know about it too. Shauna knew the risks were greater than the reward, and texted her back that she was going to pass.
Relaxing from her day at work, Shauna put on the TV and put her feet up. It was towards the end of the night she heard her phone buzzing like crazy. Shauna was too tired to reach for it on the table, and went back to flipping the channels. Within a few minutes, she heard a knock on her door. It was then she heard Layla's voice telling her to open up.
Shauna opened the door and let her impatient friend come in. Layla showed her phone to her and spoke up, "You don't be answering your phone. I tried to call to let you know I was coming up."
"What's got you all bothered tonight? Is it 'cause I bailed on you?"
Layla "No. It's nothing about tonight. I really needs you to cover for me for next week. I know you can find someone to cover your shift."
Shauna sat back on the couch and crossed her arms. She wondered why her friend was so worked up on having her clean a client's house. It was not like she owned the cleaning company. Layla was a paid employee. Shauna knew that the company forbids its workers from accepting tips, and there was no real great reward.
Shauna slyly answered back. "Tell me why you want me to cover so bad, and I will ask DaShawn if he will work my shifts next week."
Layla sat down on the couch and opened her purse to fish for a cigarette. "You know that guy I told you about? The one who keeps his place looking like a magazine ad. Well, his place is the only place I want you to clean. If any of the other girls find out he leaves me a tip, I will be fired."
Shauna smiled as Layla's Spanish accent kicked up. She now realized how heated she was about keeping this job, and collecting this guy's tip each day. "So I'mma be keeping that tip while I clean, right?"
Layla lit her cigarette and took a deep puff before answering. "You can keep the pay, and the tip girl. Just you be following the rules, when you clean his pad though. Like no talking that hood shit while you're there. Don't be stealing anything, or looking like you gonna steal. And don't be smoking anything neither. You gonna really have to clean the place too."
Shauna gave a look of disgust at the rules she had to follow. "So I should be all like proper and shit while I am there? Oh, and Mr. Johansson has me on lock down wit dat drug testin' shit."
Layla laid back and took another drag, "I will drop off my stuff for you tomorrow and shit. Don't be forgettin to wear the stupid outfit either. They won't even be opening the door for you if you not dressed like me. Place is easy as shit to clean though. I am supposed to be there for like three hours cleaning, but it takes me like forty five minutes to get it all done."
Layla's phone rang, and she checked it before shutting off the ringer, "Gots to be out now. I will hit you up tomorrow with the rest of the info on the place. Trust me, you will be thanking me when I get back."
Shauna waved off her girlfriend as she walked out the door. She picked up and shut off her phone before going to bed.
The next morning Shauna texted her coworker about taking her shifts next week. She was sure that someone would take them; it was a fast-food place that turned over workers just as fast as the burgers they served. When the text came back she was relieved it was so quick and easy. All she had to do now, was wait for Layla with instructions.
Shauna fixed her meager breakfast as she waited for Layla to text back. She looked around and wondered how she was going to be a maid for someone else when her own place was a mess. She just chalked it up to the place she was living and not her abilities. After all a few months ago she was rotting away at the Northridge Women's Correctional Facility.
When Shauna answered the door thinking it was Layla she was pissed to find her man Ty. He had clothes draped across his arm, "Layla said you have to be there 'round 'bout 9. Said for you not to show up at 10. Oh, and there is a list of things to do somewhere in one of her pockets."
She quipped back, "Please tell Lay that she is fucked up for not showing up. She ain't even tell me what all I have to do for this guy."
Taking the clothes, she made a sound of disgust as she closed the door quickly. She did not even ask if she was close by, or where she was. Shauna had the day to kill before going to work cleaning some stranger's place.
When Shauna put on the outfit she noticed that is was for her friend's body and not hers. Her hips and chest felt loose as Layla was a bit larger than her. She let out a sigh knowing that her Spanish friend had more of a butt than her. Layla also had a man who enjoyed it, and that was two things Shauna wanted.
Shauna stood there staring at the mirror. She fingered her hair, and wished to herself that she could afford to get it done. She remembered the extensions she had before she went away, and desperately wanted to get them again. Her five foot five inch frame also had no curves to it, and that was another thing she put on her want list.
She pulled out the crumpled instructions in the front pocket. She had to pick this guy's groceries up, make him his three meals, while cleaning and doing his laundry. Shauna wondered how it only took Layla forty five minutes. This guy paid for a few hours, and the company knew how to charge.
After a bus ride, and a walk for a couple of blocks, it was over an hour since Shauna left her place. She was now in the wealthy part of the city, and she felt like a maid from the 19th century. When she walked into the apartment, the guards acted as if they knew she was Layla's replacement for the week. Shauna sighed her relief, knowing the people at the front desk knew about her 'cause she was prepared to be sent packing. Now she waited in the elevator to get to her floor wondering what this week was going to be like.
When Shauna knocked on the door, she was expecting to see some fat old rich guy. After a few moments of patiently waiting, she knocked again. Her impatience grew to anger as a few minutes turned into fifteen. She picked up the phone to text her friend, and bitch. All she got back as a laugh out loud, and instructions to just walk in and watch.
