Reporting to a new job (Closed for Jack Lexington)

[Jess C.]

[shadow=black,left,300]Zantedeschia[/shadow]

Zantedeschia had made it through her interview and the training. Now she got to report to the job site. They had nothing available other than helping to rebuild some buildings. It seemed some people had come into some money so they were taking care of things that usually got left behind.

Standing in the mirror at Mya's place she smiled. She could remember the womans voice and her smell. Everything about her still lingered in the home. Z had inherited the house when Mya passed away. Well technically she inherited everything. There were bills to be paid and food and so much she had to take care of.

Walking from the bathroom and into the living room she sat down and pulled on her worker boots. They were the only other pair of shoes she owned and the only reason she had gotten them was because she was told she had to. Looking at herself she had to laugh. She felt awkard but she had done what she was instructed to do. Jeans, plain shirt, and a work belt. Her hair was pulled up into a tight pony tail as she headed off. The scars around her wrists completely revealed.

She had grown more comfortable with herself. Even started wearing a touch of make up from time to time. She knew Mya would like that, of course today was not one of those days. Today she was going to work and she knew it would be a lot of manual labor. Her exercise routine had took place of the time she use to spend with Mya she would need to be stronger for this job and she knew it.

Making her way to the site she looked around she was told to report to a Tyler Jameson, she hoped he was nicer then the man who had done her training. She was tired of being a joke. She could life what they could and could do her job just as good as any man. Growing up the way she had, she had to be good at fixing and building things. Of doing manual labor. Standing there she looked and made her way over to where a few of the other workers were.

"I'm looking for a Tyler Jameson..." Her words were simple and to the point. She wasn't to thrilled about the job but she needed work. She could see a few whispering and could see their faces as she stood there. She wore they same thing they had the only difference to her was the fact she was a woman. Once Mya had passed she had grown to have a harder exterior. She had become more blunt and out spoken. Her personality changing slightly. Standing there she waited as she looked at the men.

[Jack Lexington]

Under the weight of the beam I'm holding up my knees threaten to buckle but I grit my teeth and keep holding it while my coworker is trying to screw it to another beam with a large screw.
"Hurry up, I can't hold this all day!" My face is red and my breathing heavy.
"You're the one with the big muscles, if not you then who?"
I holler for another guy nearby to help me hold this up but instead he motions for the general direction of what will be the door of this house and tells me. "There's a chick here, who wants to talk to you."

I find it a little irritating that some girl would come to see me at work but I keep holding the beam until it's screwed on tight and then step away. What a relief.

Brushing the dirt off my shoulder I put my tools in my belt and walk over to where this woman is supposed to be. She's waiting and looking around in what looks like work wear, which makes me smile. We've been looking to hire more people, guy not girls.

So I seize her up and ask. "Is that your dad's tool belt? We're looking for guys not girls. This is hard work." To proof my point I wipe the sweat from my brow.

[Jess C.]

[shadow=black,left,300]Zantedeschia[/shadow]

I watch him come over to me. Hearing his tone and his words I can't help the glare that takes over my face. "If I couldn't do the job as good as any man you think I'd be here." His words had offened me. I had done what had been asked, had worked long and hard hours so I could managae this job. The belt was my fathers but that was none of his business. Shaking my head I look at him as I see the man in the back attempting to life another beam and then dropping it and grabbing his back. "Maybe if your men knew how to life properly you'd get the job done a bit faster."

Looking at him squarely in his eyes I stand there waiting. I had the job, the boss had given it to me and I was not just going to walk away with my tail between my legs. I was a big girl and could hang with the big boys. They seemed down more than just one man, they seemed significantly short handed and the back up on their work list proved that point. Standing there I wait, no I wouldn't just leave, because some guy who felt sweat showed how hard he was working tried to steer me off. I needed this job just as much as the next guy as he so eloquently made it clear to me what they were looking for. My expression impassive as I wait for him.

[Jack Lexington]

The young woman seems determined and not ready to back off as I'd prefer it. I highly doubt that this skinny girl will be able to do any of the 'real' work but at least she can do some easy stuff and look pretty. Better than nothing I guess.
"I'm not the one paying you so if the boss thought you'd be a good choice I'm not going to argue that. Make sure you don't dissapoint him."
I guess if she's willing to work hard I might as well give her a chance. So i offer her my hand without taking the leather gloves off and say. "Tyler Jameson. I'm in charge down here today."

For a moment I seize her up and then think about what jobs need to be done first.


"We need to finish that structure back there...that's heavy and the pipes in the back need to be connected. Can you do that?"

I point over to where the pieces of metal are waiting to be put together and start walking towards that spot. "What did you mean by...they don't know how to lift?"

[Jess C.]

[shadow=black,left,300]Zantedeschia[/shadow]

Walking with him I listen. "Yeah and I can do it, and they are lifting with their backs when they should be using their legs. They are going to end up putting themselves out of work if they keep it up." Before my father had passed he had taught me a few things. Shaking the thoughts of my father and the memoires that came after my parents passed.

Returning to the here and now I look back up to Tyler. "Well I will get to work then anything else I need to be aware of.?" I was aware of the dangers of this job, but then again I still felt that a lot of the jobs were crowd control. A year never went by where at least five had not died on the job, due to unseen circumstances as they say. That makes little to no sense to me at all. There was always a reason, and safety seemed to be the issue here. That didn't matter, with out a job, I could not pay bills or buy food, without those I would not make it through the winter.

[Jack Lexington]

Quickly i wlk her over to her assignment and then look at her after she questions me what she should be aware of. "Steel toes and a hard hat keep you save. The hats are at the door."
Without thinking about it I rub my hand over my shaved head. The weather is so hot that hair or a plastic hat make me sweat way too much and give me a headache before I know it.

From a gap where there will be a window soon, I grab a half empty bottle of water and take a long gulp. Then I fill my cupped hand and rub it over my head and neck.
"Keep hydrated. The last guy passed out because of dehydration and fell off the roof. Don't want to do that."

With that I offer a vague smile and hand her the bottle before I turn to walk away. Without looking back I shout. "I'll be over lifting beams the wrong way if you need me."

When I return my fellow workers give me weird smirks. "A chick?"
Frowning I admit. "Yeah, a chick."
"Well at least we get something nice to look at then."
I nod. "Yeah and she'll give you an earful, too."

With that I grab the next beam very careful to bend my knees this time instead of my back. I shoot a quick glance through the open doorway to see whether she's looking whether I'm doing it properly.

[Jess C.]

[shadow=black,left,300]Zantedeschia[/shadow]

Taking the water bottle I make sure the lid is secure on it before placing it in my belt. Pulling out my bandana I wrap it around my head before grabbing one of the hard hats and pulling it on. Walking back to the pipes I shake my head as I glance through the open space at the men. It would do no good if only one lifted it properly.

Getting back over to the pipes I began to go about my work. It was easy and simple. There was a lot of work to be done and he was giving me busy work which was annoying. However I still got paid the same for doing it regardless. It was hot and the weather was not going to break anytime soon. Finishing up my work, I can hear some men shouting in the other room.

Walking so I can see them I find two men lifting another beam and can see the strain on their bodies. Not waiting I go into the middle of the two men and place my hands on the beam. Placing me feet shoulder width apart I bend my knees and lift. It was heavy, but no heavier then it was when I had to fix up Mya's place. I could see their reactions and knew that this was not going to go over well. "Look it don't matter who lifts it, and who does the work, just get it done. Don't stand there staring at me secure the beam in place or do I need to do that as well?"

Their facial reactions was enough and I saw them as another man began to secure the beam. It didn't take long, and the weight wasn't so bad. I could see the others shaking their heads in annoyance with me but I really didn't care. People needed their homes, storm season was heading for us and we needed to get them done. We had a long list of places that needed to get done within a few months and at this rate it wasn't going to happen.

[Jack Lexington]

Tyler Jameson

The girl shows up when we're almost done with the construction but are definetly getting tired and can feel the strain of our muscles. She helps but embarasses us at the same time. So when I've screwed the large bolt in she gets a stupid question instead of a thank you.
"So you're done with the pipes and want to do harder work now?"
With a smirk towards the others I place my hand on her shoulder and say.
"Over on the other side is a wall that needs to be finished. The bricks are outside, so is the sack of cement. Have fun!"
My buddies want to contradict because they know how heavy a bag of cement is and that she needs to mix it herself but all they say is. "Tyler, c'mon."
"Yeah, what? She's been hired just like you, so she can build a wall, right?"
My head turns to her as I ask. "You know how to do that, don't you?"
I'm obviously pissed of with my boss for hiring a girl and am now letting it out on her, yet I have no bad conscience. So I walk her over and show here where the wall will go.
Then I lower my voice. "I'm responsible for what's going on around this construction site and I need you to do just as good of a job as the guys...tell me when you want the simple stuff again."

[Jess C.]

[shadow=black,left,300]Zantedeschia[/shadow]

It seemed he liked to push my buttons. Yeah I can build a wall, it would suck, it would take me time but I can do it. Shaking my head at him I narrow my eyes. "I can build a wall... I can manage, just because I am not big and bulky like yourself does not mean I can't lift and pull my own weight around here.. You have two extra hands on this site the least you could do mr in charge is take advantage of that."

Shaking my head I walk away from him. Pouring the cement into the mixer is what would take a lot out of me, and then the long hall of placing each brick. That would be easy enough but take time in itself. Setting off I think about my work out. I knew I could lift the bag but he didn't. Going over to it, I bend down making sure to bend my knees and pick up the bag. Hauling it over my shoulder I take a deep breath and stand, carrying it over to where it would have to be mixed. I could feel the weight baring down on me and knew I would pay for it later, but I am to upset to ask for any help.

As I mix the cement my thoughts go to Mya, she would yell at me right now. Tell me to ask that handsome man for help. Every man in her eyes was handsome, but I could here her voice as clear as if she was right next to me. Knowing that what I was doing would upset her struck me. I never wanted to upset her again. Shaking the thoughts I set off and being to lay the cement. I could feel the eyes on me, could feel them watching me. It didn't matter though, this was the best job available right now and I needed the money. I had bought enough bricks over to be able to lay a few layers. Only so many would fit in the wheel barrow with out toppling over. Once I finish the layers I grab the wheel barrow and go back outside fill it up and head back in to go on about my work.

[Jack Lexington]

When the time comes around to finish the days work I make my round inspecting the other guys work, give them the occasional praise or tell them what to change and then walk over to our new girl.

She's still busy putting brick on brick and has gotten further than I expected. Admittedly her wall is a little 'creative' but much better than any other first wall I've seen.
So I lean my should against the door and chew on my lip while I watch her work for a few minutes. Then I nod.
"That's tilting a little to the left." I hand her a mason's level to check it.
"Other than that well done."

Waiting for her to check her work I state. "So, we're all having a beer out back before we head home. Not sure if you want to join us but it would be a good opportunity to meet the crew."

[Jess C.]

[shadow=black,left,300]Zantedeschia[/shadow]

Looking up to Tyler I listen. Taking the level I check my work, he was right. Had to admit he knew what he was talking about. "I will fix it tomorrow if thats alright with you." Hearing his next statement I stand up wiping my hands off on my jeans.

"Sure I'll join..." I knew I needed to tone down my remarks but I would in time. When they accepted the fact I could do the same job that they could do. The luxury of being small would be I could fit into places the bigger men could not. Standing there I look at him. Suppose I could be a bit nicer to the men. I did have to work with them in all and to be honest I didn't really have any friends. So I suppose I could use a few.

[Jack Lexington]

"No need to fix that. It's not a supporting wall."
With that I pull off my leather work gloves and turn to walk away.
We all get together outside where most guys pull off their hard hats, unlace their boots and sit down to have a beer and smoke. I don't smoke but I'll grab a beer from the 'fridge'. There's a creek running close to the back of the property. We usually store our drinks in the water to keep them cold.
"Feel free to grab a beer from the fridge" I let the girl know.
"Did you tell me your name?" It just occured to me that I don't even know who to call when my beams get too heavy.

Then I sit with the other guys and pop the cap off my bottle and let it drop to the ground.
Me and my co workers clink our bottles and half of the contents are gone in the first five minutes although we all know that there's just one for each of us courtesy of our employer to keep us happy.

When she's back I tell her the names of the guys and exchange a few words about today's work. Then we drift off to bragging about our girlfriends or wives completely ignoring the fact that there's a girl in our middle. While Jason keeps saying how great his girls butt looks I only smirk and then state. "What good is that if she won't let you grab it...like me?" I'm just pulling his leg but he falls for it every time and starts. "You don't touch or talk about or even look at my girls butt....or you can feel my boot in your butt, buddy!"

[Jess C.]

Going to what the guys called the 'fridge I grab a beer and head back. Popping the cap off when I get there I take a seat. Holding the beer between my legs I pull off the hard hat and take off my bandana tucking it back into my back pocket. "My name is Zantedeschia, but you can call me Z.. "

I can't help to laugh as I listen to them. They were guys and this was how they wound down. Usually I'd be out for a run right now, but taking a break and a load off felt nice. I finish the first half of my beer within a few minutes and then relax. "So you mean to tell me you let him grab your girl but you can't hmmm" I can't help myself as I look at Tylers coworker the one I think is Jason... Not sure of the name I decide to wait till I hear it again. Wanting to be sure I got it right.

I wasn't use to being around people so I sat there quietly as the bragged about their women. Some of the women I had met through Mya, some had even bought me food when she passed on. Sitting here I shake the memories of Mya and smile as I return to the present.

[Jack Lexington]

It comes to my attention that there's a girl in the middle when I turn to her and my smile freezes for a second as I look at her. She's one of them. Those woman. A real pretty one actually.
So I take another swag and shake my head.
"No, he doesn't let me grab her ass. I just do it."
This earns me a slap upside the back of my head from Jason but I just laugh. "Relax, dude. You know I ain't touching your girl. I can get my own if I want to."
My eyes fall onto the ground while I think how long it's been since I really touched a girl. Must have been a while but none of the guys doubt my words because they know I've had a few gorgeous girlfriends. Most ended up dumping me though.

Instead of musing about lost loves I ask Z. "That's an unusual name. What do you do...I mean as your usual job?" Finally I look at her again and am actually a little embarassed how some of us are scratching their balls while she's around but I don't let it show. After all she's intruding into a guys job.

[Jess C.]

Sitting there I take a deep breath. "Well this is my first actual job, before I would just do things on the side. Like cleaning, cooking, gardening, what ever I could do to help Mya out." Taking another drink of the beer I force myself to not trail off into thought about to many things. "My dad picked my name it was his mothers name..... So let me guess your one of those get up and take what you want kinda men right..."

After having said it I hope he realizes I'm joking, Mya hated my sense of humor. Sitting there I take another drink as I glance around at the men, it seemd a few were heading off and night was approaching. To be honest I wasn't ready to leave, to go home to an empty house. It was nice being around people again, talking to people. Instead of letting the memories haunt me. At that thought I made the decision in the moment to begin to redo Mya's house...my house...