text: I wiped the steam from the bathroom mirror and stared at my reflection. You can do this! I jumped on the spot getting my blood pumping before exiting the bathroom & getting dressed for the day. By the time I was ready to leave with coffee in hand I was almost vibrating with first day jitters. It was still dark out when I pulled up curb side & checked the time on my watch. I was a few minutes late but the light was still on behind the window so I wasn’t worried. You can do this! You aced your training! You’ve got this! The front room light turned off. I popped the hood of the car as I jumped out. She was out the front door & walking towards her car. “Hello! Miss! Can you help? I need a jump start.” I saw her quickly glance my way but she kept walking to the car. “Hey! Do you have jumper cables?” No reaction. She got in the car & turned the ignition but didn’t pull out. Maybe.. I waved & pointed under the hood of the car. “My battery’s died. Can you give me a jump start?” After another minute, all while holding my breath, she reversed out of the driveway and drove off quickly down the street. Taillights disappearing as she sped around the corner. What the hell?! I slammed the bonnet shut & got back in the drivers seat. My hands shook as I fumbled to put the keys in the ignition. How had this happened? I’d apprenticed for a month! Absorbed all the training! Aced my practise test! I started the car & drove towards the office. How was I going to explain this to the boss? Would I be fired on my first offical day? The boss looked surprised to see me as I walked into the office, shoulders slumped. He must have seen something on my face because he looked over at his receptionist while motioning me back to his office. “Janette hold my calls” I sat down in the chair by his large desk as he shut the door & came around the desk. Before he could say anything I held up hands. “Sir I’m so sorry! I don’t know what happened! I was all set, standing beside the car with the hood up before she came but..” “But what?” “Well I called out just like we were taught. Didn’t deviate from the script I swear! But she didn’t come over! Besides a quick glance over she just went straight to her car and left! I didn’t know what to do! What was I supposed to do? She never tried to help” I all but wailed. Unprofessional, sure. But it wasn’t like I was getting a second chance after this. I wrung my hands staring at the boss. He came around the desk & put a hand on my shoulder while looking down at me. “Son, listen. It’s okay. This is a her problem not a you problem. What kind of a psycho doesn’t go over to someone calling out for help! Not to mention she was getting into her car so it would have been no bother to give you a jump. No.” He shook his head. “You did everything right. I’m proud of initiative and planning. You’ll get the next one, just you wait and see!” The pressure in my chest released. He was right! What kind of a psycho wouldn’t help out a stranger? This wasn’t about me. This was about her! I just needed to increase my surveillance before the next one to make sure she wasn’t heartless like this women! I left the office feeling light stepped & determined to make my boss proud on the next one.