The Women's Job - I Don't Have a Choice - Chapter 1

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A New Start  Evening was coming on after a day of typical late April rain, accompanied by a drop in the temperature.  Standing in the front doorway, Ash glanced out at the dark and damp street, sighed, and then turned back to his mother.  

"Good-bye, Mom," he said as his mother gave him a hug and a slight kiss on the cheek at the door to the home he was leaving.  

"I feel bad that you're going, Ash," she replied with a worried look.  

"Don't feel bad, Mom, please. I understand your and Dad's situation. It's probably a good idea that I head out.  I've got a place like I told you.  

If, well, when I get it fixed up, maybe I'll invite you and Dad over for dinner sometime."  

"That would be nice.  We'll still miss you. Now please keep in touch, take care of yourself. 

Goodbye, and I'm sure things will work out for you."  

"Thanks, bye," Ash said as he turned and walked down the front steps of the small house hearing the door close behind him.  Walking to the street and carrying a suitcase along with a medium-sized box, he saw a car approaching from down the block.  

It was most likely his older brother.  Fortunately for Ash, the rain had stopped but the cold remained as he stared out at the dark street before him.  It was bad enough that he had been kicked out of his home. Well, 'kicked' was probably a little harsh. 

His stepfather had requested that he leave and find his own place in the world as they could no longer support him.  Ash was 19, turning 20 in September. He had finished one year of community college with much less than the stellar grades that would indicate he would be successful in future educational institutions.  

It wasn't a lack of understanding that kept him back, for whatever reason he just didn't put the time in that was needed. 

As opposed to schooling, he was an excellent worker and had had part-time jobs as a stock boy, janitor, and convenience store clerk as well as the usual younger boy jobs of paper delivery, lawn maintenance, and snow shoveling.  

None would readily qualify as steady work or as examples of increased responsibilities and advancement, but all his bosses liked him and his work ethic and expressed regret when he turned in his resignation.  

He had little interest in enlisting in the military as he felt that being small and youngish-looking would more than likely subject him to all sorts of unwanted attention such as bullying or hazing. Ash knew looking like he did that he wasn't exactly a shining example of a man's man, like his two older brothers, Harper and Logan, were.  

They were both over six feet tall and had excelled in sports as well as having adequate grades and had received financial aid to attend small colleges, participating on the schools' athletic teams.  

The extra costs that accompanied that limited aid had pretty much drained their parent's resources.  

A bigger financial problem for his parents was that his younger sister, Bailey, barely 16, after having about a year earlier, run off with some boy, had very recently returned home with an infant in tow as the father had taken off to parts unknown. 

 They were not married and she and her child badly needed support. It had put a strain on living arrangements in the small house as well as on household finances.  Ash was short and slender, maybe about 5 feet 7 inches, 130 to 135 pounds dripping wet. 

He did have a nice smile, almost dimples, bright blue-green eyes, dark hair that was quite full and was now getting fairly long if not yet shaggy, and he had a fair complexion. 

He had always been shy and had hardly dated any girls, although in school through the years a number of girls had been friendly with him. 

But he felt that was probably because they didn't feel threatened by him. He was sure their steady boyfriends didn't feel threatened by him at all. He suspected they thought he was probably gay. 

He wasn't.  At least not that label.  He had a few friends in school, the slightly chubbier, less handsome, non-athletic ones, although of course, a number of them were academically advanced.  

And that meant that as the school years went on, he saw fewer and fewer of them in the classes in which he was placed. Schooling was not his strong suit, as his grades indicated. 

There were still a couple of friends with whom he would hang out, although their times together were getting less as other interests and commitments were causing each of them to grow apart.  

Two weeks earlier his dad (or step-dad) had taken him aside and said, "Your mother and I have talked, and we feel that much as we might want to, with the current economy and the cutbacks in my work, and your sister and child rejoining us, that we can't continue to support you here.  

You need to look for a full-time job somewhere and find a place to live.  We'll help you as much as we can to get started but you'll have to be on your own."  While not liking it, Ash fully understood as his parents had already downsized moving to a much smaller house in a less desirable part of town to save expenses, but they still had a mortgage and bills.  

He sort of understood his parents' concern but he also had other thoughts, especially about his step-father.  He didn't have any ill feelings toward his stepfather, especially since that was the father with whom he had grown up.  He could only remember maybe one or two brief moments of his natural father.  

His older brothers had a lot more memories and would sometimes share them with Ash. Ash grew up calling his stepfather, Dad and accepted him as his father.  When thinking very deeply about it, he felt that in some ways, he did sort of love his father, and even more so, really wanted his approval. 

He would remember the few times that Frank seemed to have tried, like when he brought home a baseball glove that Ash needed to join his friends in the recreational league, or when he came with him to several father-son outings.  

Yet, more often, it just seemed that no matter what he did, he could never get his father's approval. Not that his father hated him either, it just seemed that his father to Ash's eyes, treated him more as a responsibility of raising a stepchild because of his mother, and not because he had any deep feelings for Ash.  

As the years went on, he began to feel that his dad also treated him a lot differently than how his older brothers were treated.  Frank seemed proud of their accomplishments and often either spent a little extra time with them or talked in glowing terms about them to the neighbors as well as friends and relatives.  

The older boys were included in things like fixing up the house, offering suggestions that were often accepted for repairs as well as suggestions for family trips and the like.  Ash on the other hand seemed to take the brunt of any displeasure his father had.  

His responsibilities, no matter what his age, with things like chores, house repairs, or upgrades consisted of handing the tools to the older three, and cleaning up after everyone had gone on to other pursuits, taking out the trash, drying and putting away the dinner dishes and so on.  

He was never asked his opinion about anything and was admonished to keep quiet when he would try to offer it.  His older brothers on occasion would remark to him that they could see the way he was being treated, but there was little they could (or would) do to change anything.  

For whatever reason, his sister, Bailey, seemed to get away with ignoring lots of 'rules' she was supposed to follow, with little to no punishment, but certainly not Ash. It seemed to him that his stepfather 'disciplined' him constantly usually with a sharp fist to his upper arm. 

 That stopped when Ash was about 15 and swung back.  

After that incident, Ash now felt that at least his father treated him with a little more respect, although not as much as Ash had hoped. He also acknowledged a slight (very slight) improvement in his father's expectations of him.  

He did get along quite well with Bailey as they were growing up, although there was a little over three years difference in their ages. 

They played some together, got along well during family activities, and generally liked each other except, of course, when he got punished for some minor infraction while Bailey was barely disciplined for major ones.  

He blamed it more on his stepfather than on Bailey.  

He would babysit Bailey far more than his brothers for several years starting in his pre-teens until in high school when he became involved with other activities and being with friends all of which greatly reduced those times.  

As he got into his late teens, it was apparent that Bailey had grown to be about as tall as he was, and when either was in very casual clothes when they had their backs turned and Ash had let his hair get a little shaggy, they were on occasionally mistaken for the other, which also encouraged them to be closer.  

Sometimes during his later years in high school, they would occasionally get into long discussions about their parents, life as teens, and other issues which Ash really enjoyed, and Bailey seemed to as well.  

It may have been that she appreciated a sibling taking an interest in her as Logan and Harper were so much older than she was and they basically ignored her.  

Ash's father had died of an incurable illness when he was not quite three, and his mother remarried within less than a year.  

Ash's actual name was Marion Ash Miller, his first name being the same as his natural father. His mother had named her first two boys, but when Ash was born, as his father was already in the late stages of his illness, they named him for his father, but his mother gave him his middle name (she was a fan of Bruce Campbell).  He was called Ash from then on.  

After his mother remarried, for some years as he got older, Ash thought that she was probably lucky to find a man willing to take on a widow with three boys, although adults around him would mention that she was attractive. 

Of course, she was also his mother, after all.  Remembering those days following his father's passing, he eventually came to understand that things were getting a little desperate, until his mother's re-marriage. 

His younger sister (well half-sister, technically) was born less than a year later which as Ash matured, had him wondering exactly how well his step-father and mother 'knew' each other before their marriage and exactly when they met and got to know each other. 

He only vaguely remembered the actual moments such as that.  Both of his two older brothers had finished college and moved out, gotten decent paying jobs, with Logan already hinting at a possible upcoming wedding.

  Ash understood that in some ways it did make some sense for him to move on. So, he had spent the previous two weeks really focused on answering job ads, sending out resumes, and even knocking on doors, mostly to no avail. 

All too often when he did receive a reply, he was told that he was too young, too inexperienced, too uneducated, too whatever for almost any job except the most menial ones, dishwasher, janitor, fast food help, etc., which he hoped he would never have to accept. 

He wasn't sure whether those or the military, for him anyway, were the lesser of evils.  Now, being given a ride by Logan, who had come by as Ash got to the street, and sitting there in the car, he kept his face forward to the darkened streets around as he headed to, at least for the moment, his new residence, carrying most of what he owned which were packed in the suitcase and small box. 

The rest was still in another single box in his parent's house slowly receding into the background which he would come back for later.  He was also a little worried about what he would do if things didn't work out.  

He had started with a little less than a thousand dollars to his name, but he knew that wouldn't go far. He had saved part of it which he had originally hoped to use to help finish his two-year degree (which was now a forlorn hope). 

The rest came from some money his father had given him, and a little his mother had slipped him on the side.  

He had found a single room with an attached small bath in a seedy part of town for $375 a month, one with basic furnishing, a place called Walnut Arms in the Woodside neighborhood. It had multi-room apartments as well as very basic efficiencies, which was what Ash was renting. 

They only asked for a $150 refundable security deposit besides the first month's rent(both of which came out of his initial funds) which helped but what with food costs, his cell phone, transportation, and other necessities he doubted his money would last two months.  He needed a job immediately.  

"Thanks for the ride, Logan, I appreciate it," he said to his brother beside him in the car as he got in.  "No problem, little brother.  I know how Dad can be, so maybe this is a good thing for you.  And at least you won't be hearing a screaming baby. That kid of Bailey's sure has a loud voice."  "Yep, but he is cute, and Dad doesn't seem as cranky when he's holding Jared."  

"Yeah, I noticed. Makes me miss our dad even more.  You know what I mean?"  

"Yeah." 

 "So, you got any job prospects? Any callbacks or anything? Wish I could help but with this economy around here, my company's not hiring or even looking."  "I know and thanks for the thought. But I did get a message on my cell phone that some manager, a Mr. Relsly, I believe, at Johnston Industries would call me sometime soon, like maybe later this week."  It was currently a Sunday afternoon.  

"I've heard a lot about them, they're into a lot of things, with several offices around. Any idea what it's for?"  

"No, I don't think it's from the division I applied to which was basic factory-type work, so maybe they passed my resume around.  I was a little surprised that later that day I got a text asking for my picture. I had to take a selfie and then text it back." 

 "Hmmm, that's a little odd.  Maybe the job is in the public eye and they want to make sure you look decent.  It probably doesn't meet current laws, but lots of places slide around regs."  

"I guess that could be it.  I hope I don't look too young." 

"Sometimes you do, but when you showed me your resume, I would have guessed you were around 18 to 20, so I wouldn't think so.  Well, for your sake, I hope it turns into something.  I know you're dedicated when you do a job and it's mostly really good work.  If you need a reference, count on me." 

 "Thanks, I was hoping you'd say that. I did put your name down."  

"Well, that's all right; I'll give you a great recommendation.  Oh, here's your address.  Looks okay, not the best part of town, but not the worst."  

"I hope I can get a decent job so this won't be permanent."  

"I hear ya.  Well, good luck, and keep in touch. If you need any help or anything, give me a call, okay?"  

"Thanks, I will, and thanks for the ride."  

Ash knew he couldn't ask for too much. Logan was living with his girlfriend in a small one-bedroom apartment.  Harper was living several states away where he had been attending college and was hired right after graduation.

"Hey, no problem. Bye, and good luck with that job."  

Ash walked to the building as a light drizzle started again, and entered his new room, which was dark and barren, with a single lamp turned on by a switch at the door. At least it had its own entrance.  You could barely turn around in the room, and the bathroom, with a small sink, old toilet, and tiny shower, was even smaller.  

In the main room, there was also a small threadbare rug, a double bed that needed sheets and a pillow (which he had brought), a chair, and a small desk with drawers that could double as a dresser. 

There was no TV, no radio (he brought a clock radio). There was also one window with a barely working shade and one ugly picture on a wall. There was a very small closet next to the bathroom. 

A rod attached to the front door could also double as a closet, of sorts. Although a little dingy looking, the room was clean.  

He unpacked what little he had, hanging up some clothes on hangers he brought, putting the rest including a few special items in drawers which got full fairly quickly.  

He put his toiletries in the bathroom and turned on the water. 

Like when he had first looked at renting the room, the water came out clean-looking and at least didn't smell. It was the same with the shower, both of which he was thankful for.  

He had made arrangements to buy a used hotplate and as well as a small refrigerator. Someday he would try to get a table of sorts, maybe another chair or two. 

At least the room seemed warm enough as he found the thermostat. He made sure the thermostat was working.  He was now in his own place, such as it was.  

At least he was now responsible strictly for himself.  He wondered for a few moments if that call back might lead to something.  He hoped it would, but was slowly learning to never get his hopes too high.  

He thought about what his future might be, hopefully, sooner rather than later - leave this place behind, finish schooling when he had saved enough, maybe even meet someone.  

He sighed at that last thought.  As it had stopped drizzling, he then wandered out and down to a little market not too far away in a small strip mall, bought some non-perishable food, went back to his place, and had a bite to eat. Finishing that, he got out his small laptop and logged on. The place did have Wi-Fi but Ash had guessed it wasn't very secure, so he had installed a program to give him some protection from others trying to see what he was doing.  

He checked his email and found nothing interesting there, followed up on his other social accounts, and also found nothing interesting. Later, Ash logged on to several sites and briefly enjoyed in a way what he found there.  

Soon he logged off, made up his bed, got ready for the night, and went to sleep. 

But as was often the case, he spent some time with his imagination working overtime until he drifted into a nice slumber. 

He didn't like when it would start, but the thoughts had always eased him into a nice solid sleep.  

Each weekday for the next week, he was up, got himself ready and dressed in clean but casual clothes, and prepared to walk the streets again knocking on doors and trying to pass along his resume, as he did not expect to get any immediate interviews.  

He had intentionally found that place to rent near a major bus route so he had access to get around. 

He would take the bus to the center of the city and start at the library to look through a daily newspaper as well as to check some online job sites and then start his walk, knocking on doors that looked interesting.  

His mother and Bailey drove over a little over a week after he moved in, which he wasn't happy about as he was a little disappointed in the run-down look of the building and his room. 

They had called first which he appreciated, and upon arriving, he could see the look of concern in his mother's eyes and replied, "Mom, I know it's not the best, but for me just starting out with the limited funds I have, until I get a solid job and a decent paycheck, this will have to do."  

"I understand, Ash. If you'd like, maybe sometime I could come back and help you fix it up a little."  

"Okay, just let me work on it for a while.  And now that you've seen it, please don't come back unless I invite you both back, which I will. It'll just take some time."  

His mother understood, and then took him and Bailey out for an early dinner which Ash appreciated, and then dropped him back at his place, with them giving each other a hug, and Mary giving Ash a little kiss on the cheek.  He hoped that he would get a really good job before they wanted to come back so he would be in a much better place.  

But, he would now have to focus on getting that good job.  Rather than use a briefcase to keep his resume, notes with reference names and addresses, a notepad as well as his smallish laptop, he carried a shoulder bag.  

Yes, he realized, it did sort of give him a less manly appearance, but it was easy and convenient, and he planned that if some company requested an interview, he would go back to his room and get totally cleaned up and wear the one suit to his name.  

He got practically no responses to most of his applications, and he did apply at any number of places. 

The few places that did reply were rejections.  He was getting quite depressed as the second week wore on. He would have to find a job somewhere within the next week or two at the most to be even able to continue living in the little room he had.  

Fear of not finding anything decent had not quite set in, yet, but it was getting close. As a last resort, he accepted that he would consider those menial jobs he didn't ever want.  

On the following Monday morning, now mid-May, as Ash was making his rounds, Logan called, "Hey, there, got a call from Johnston Industries, I think you Mr. Relsly.  

He was asking about you, I gave him a really positive reference."  Ash breathed a sigh of relief that some place might give him a chance as he said, "Thanks, Logan, I really appreciate it." 

 Ash now really hoped for that call back from that company later on Monday, but, the week dragged on and it was now around 10AM on Thursday, and no call back, as he left the library. In fact, not called at all, although he had called his Mom several times, sort of fibbing a little about his job search.  

He got worried that maybe Johnston Industries had lost interest in him.  Maybe one of his other references gave a negative response, he thought, or something else happened. 

Maybe they found someone else, someone with a better background.  The one bright spot in his life was that as Spring was turning to Summer, the days were becoming quite comfortable, and warm and nice weather was forecast for the next week or so. 

He had also found a used hotplate on one of the marketplaces or lists online as well as a small refrigerator and could now keep a small amount of food available.  

His daily intake, though, would be reduced until he found a job and a steady paycheck.  Again following his now daily routine, on the street, and now starting to get a little more desperate, he felt a small bit of relief as his cell phone rang a moment or two later.  

Looking at the screen, he recognized with a slightly bigger sigh of relief, that it was the call back from Johnston Industries he had been hoping for. And even hoping more so that it wasn't a rejection.  

They wouldn't call with a rejection, would they, he thought.  Please, no.

 "Hello, may I speak to. Ash Miller?" 

 To Ash, it definitely sounded like a male, maybe not that old, as well as sounding positive.  

He replied, rather excitedly, but trying to hold back a little, "This i.is Ash Miller speaking." 

 "Good morning, my name is Brad Austin, I work with Mr. Relsly, the section manager.  

I, we want you to come in for an interview, today preferably."  

Ash thought first, that is so great, an interview! 

Then he realized, 'Uh oh, I wasn't expecting it to be this soon after the call, and I'm dressed way too casually.' 

He knew he had to be positive but was hoping it would have been for tomorrow or early next week, or even later this afternoon, so he could get back to his place and change, as he replied, "Yes, I can, when would you like me?" 

 "Let's see, where are you right now?"  

"Um, downtown, 5th and Broad."  

"Ah, okay, so how are you dressed? Ready for an interview? 

We will expect you at our office here on Central just off Broad, in business office dress, tie optional, the usual standard attire."  

Uh oh, they're on the far side of town from where I am now, and totally opposite from where I now live. That's not at all enough time with the bus schedules to get back to my place, clean up, change, and get to them.  "Oh, I, um, just have on, like regular clothes and, I'd have to go back to my place to change. When did you want to see me? Maybe later today say around 3?"  

"Three this afternoon is too late. And we do have a style in mind for what we'd like our employees to wear," Brad continued, "but, regular clothes, you say. 

Okay, yes, I'm sure, we can work something out here. 

That is, if you're willing?"  While there was a strange tone to Brad's voice as he said that last, Ash was greatly relieved as he had thought for a moment that this chance at a job had all but evaporated, and replied, quickly and hopefully, "Oh, yes, I certainly am, what would you like?" 

"Well, that is, Mr. Relsly we do want to see you today, as soon as possible.  You said you're at 5th and Broad?" 

"Yes."  

"Well, that's good, that's very good, very good indeed.  

That will work out just fine and let me see here...hmmm, yes, there is enough time. Okay, follow my instructions exactly. 

Go right now to VanHisen Clothiers, which should be about a block or so away. Go to the third floor and ask for Jen.  Give her your name.  She will get you outfitted exactly as we would expect you to be.  

Don't worry about the cost, for now. 

Mr. Relsly...I mean, we'll work something out with you one way or the other. So, let's make it 1PM and be prompt please, not a moment later. As I said, our office is on Central right off Broad.  Are you familiar with the area?" 

 "Yes, I am."  Ash had looked up the location when he got that first text several days earlier.  

"Good. Ask for me when you get here. Brad Austin.  Do you understand?"  

"Yes, VanHisen Clothiers, I know the location, 3rd floor, Jen, 1PM, Brad Austin.  Thank you, I will be there."  "Good. I expect to see you then. Good-bye."  

"Bye."  

Ash took a breath.  It was a job interview.  

And they wanted him in business attire.  'VanHisen,' he now considered, 'is the most expensive, most upscale, most fashionable clothing store in the area if not the state.  Everything is sky-high prices, but, I would think they'll get me looking really good, better than the beat-up suit I now have.  

And maybe Johnston Industries is ready to hire me and only wants to make sure I look right in a suit of their choosing, presentable I guess.  Why else would they want my picture and then after seeing it, send me to the fanciest clothing store in the area?  

I hope they can find something on sale for me so I can afford it.'  Wanting to have as few problems as possible, and hoping that this job interview may turn into a real job, especially if they wanted him dressed and looking really current, he hurried right over.  

Now that he had an interview and a chance at looking really great, he was determined, absolutely determined, that he would use this opportunity to not only be totally presentable but he would also absolutely ace the interview. That would be his goal, he vowed to himself. 

He walked (or almost ran) rather quickly over to the store.  

Upon getting to the third floor which he had hardly ever been in as it held mostly exclusive  and expensive designer clothes, he went to a counter in the men's area and asked, "Is, um, Jen available?"  

The older woman clerk behind the counter looked down her nose at him and said rather sternly, "Why do you want to see her?"  

Surprised by her rather coldness, but remembered that when people talked about this place they usually included the comment that the sales staff were not always the most friendly, especially to those they saw as not having the funds to purchase any of their lines, he replied, "Uh, I was told by a Brad Austin at Johnston Industries to see her about some nice clothes?"  

She sniffed, pointed, and said, "Turn around, go over to that section, she should be at the counter about in the middle.  

You can't miss her." She shook her head and turned to another customer coming up.  

"Uh, thanks," Ash said softly and turned around as she was now completely ignoring him.  'That section' was the women's clothing section which not only included women's clothes but had a large cosmetics area and a salon.  As Ash went over, he first glanced at the various women's clothes on the racks that he passed by. 

 His thoughts turned momentarily to some deep-seated memories and desires that would come into his mind off and on for years. Thinking 'Not now, please,' he quickly put them aside and focused on the counter he was heading towards.  

Concentrating again on his goal of looking great and acing the interview, he assumed that this Jen was probably a contact and whoever got sent to her, that this Jen would look the person over and choose appropriate outfits from whatever side of the aisles matched the person's gender.

  They, that is, he and Jen, no doubt, would be coming back to the men's side, and maybe even this Jen would turn him back over to the somewhat rude woman he just left.  

A person who obviously didn't care for him. Yet, if this Jen was with him, maybe that other saleswoman would change her attitude towards him. Or not.  He sighed.  

Finding the counter as described, he saw an attractive young woman, somewhat slender, with long reddish blonde hair below her shoulders, fairly straight, significantly taller than he, in an outfit similar to the older woman's obviously a store uniform, he thought but filling it out in all the appropriate places, and she was at most a few years older than he was, if that. 

She saw him come up and met him with a pleasant and approachable smile as he reached the counter. 

 For a moment a thought struck him, to be as tall, as beautiful, but, like his previous thoughts, he quickly put it out of his mind.  

She continued giving him that appealing smile, which he liked immediately, and she asked, "Hello, sir, how may I help you?"  

He again thought how absolutely gorgeous she looked, and that she was probably married or definitely going steady with some jock or soon-to-be movie star.  But now, up close, although she was fairly tall, even without wearing the high heels she had on, she absolutely towered over him.  

He screwed up his courage and said, "Hi, I'm, um, looking for, Jen?" 

 "Oh hi! Yes, I'm Jen. Pleased to meet you."  She glanced at him sort of all over and continued with an even bigger smile, "And you must be Ash Miller. Mr. Austin phoned and said he was sending someone over."  

"Uh-huh," he squeezed in, "I, um, need proper attire for a job interview.  Something elegant, that'll, uh, leave a good impression. Yes."  "Ah, so you need nice office attire, clothes that will be more than just appropriate," she replied giving her head a knowing nod.  

"Y.yes," he said with a huge smile, now quite happy as she seemed to know exactly what he was looking for.  

"Well, very good, I think we should be able to completely get you looking really well dressed, just as your future employer would like you to be. 

 When is your interview?"  

"Um, today, this afternoon, 1 PM if that's, uh, all right?"  

"1 PM. Oh my goodness," she replied looking at her watch, "that's barely enough time to get you into everything. We've got lots to do and little time. Please follow me to the back here."  

Ash was thrilled as there was someone who was nice, seemed to be on top of everything, and was ready to do whatever it took to get him ready.  

He guessed if he didn't get the job, at the worst, they would most likely take whatever clothes he was provided back, giving him a full refund. Maybe he wouldn't even have to pay now if this Mr. Austin had called. 

If he got the job, maybe something could be worked out with Mr. Relsly to get a discount or something, especially if he liked the outfit.  

"Oh, um, okay," he said as she came around the counter and grabbed his hand, and off they went towards a section about two aisles to the right. He wasn't sure where they were going as it was definitely not back to the Men's side.  

Glancing at him every so often, seemingly taking him all in, she said, "I think I know what will be absolutely perfect for you, and looking at you, I'm sure we have almost if not exactly the right sizes."  

"Um, good?"  They stopped in a section with racks of clothing that were obviously for young professional women, and she pulled out on hangers, a combination light pink full-sleeved silk-looking button blouse with tight wrists, a loose scarf tie around the collar and down the front, and a white skirt slightly pleated.  She stood behind Ash and held them up to him. 

He saw that they faced a full-length mirror opposite them, with Jen holding the outfit on the hangers in front of him with her right hand and her left hand around him on his left shoulder. 

"I think this is absolutely perfect for you, and I'm guessing just the right size.  And knowing Mr. Austin and Johnston Industries, this is definitely the look they want to see from their employees.  

Well, of course, have to find the right pair of white patent pumps, probably a 2 or 2 ½ inch heel, some nice foundation wear, and get you looking absolutely perfect. 

You show up in this, and all we'll be doing for you, and I'm guessing you'll be hired right on the spot."  

Ash was now terribly confused and in a little shock.  

Okay, he understood he was young-looking and slender, with hardly any facial hair yet, and yes, his own hair was dark and thick, and way over his collar as he didn't have the money for regular haircuts, yet, anyway.  And he was on the smaller side.  

And, yes, he thought to himself in that dark place deep within his mind, that he would sort of, well, kind of, well, maybe, I mean, if no one was around, and well, there were no problems, that just maybe he might like to, well, gee, let's see...try them, on, but not now! Not when someone was around, not when he needed a job, not when he was hoping to impress his interviewer, and certainly not to meet someone in a couple of hours. 

Did this Jen not know his gender?  

He realized as she was right behind him, holding up the outfit in front of him and they were in front of the mirror, that he could easily see his reflection the outfit did look like it would fit him, and he thought it looked really attractive, quite pretty actually, but he saw that he was sort of cowering back from the outfit, almost into her arms and body. 

Going to an interview looking like the reflection he saw wouldn't work at all. He'd be terribly embarrassed; they'd laugh at him, maybe even worse.  

Is this what that Johnston Industries wanted? But how could he say anything without embarrassing her, or him, or anyone who might be watching them?  She continued smiling and gently and quite friendly said, "Well, what do you think? Do you agree? 

We can look for something else, but I do believe this is most definitely you."  

"Um, yes, it, uh, does, look, nice, but, um, see..uh, I don't think that's really right for me. It's for a woman." 

Never breaking her smile, she gently interrupted, "Yes, it absolutely does look nice. Better than nice even.  So, you do like it? Am I right?" 

"Well, yes, but, um, I was, uh, looking, for, well, you know, guy clothes."