Personal Narrative Essay: My First Day Out Of Work

A year later.

The buzz from my cell phone forced me to open my eyes. Yawning, I closed my eyes again, did not feel to wake up yet. Besides, my bedroom was still dark. Well, I closed the entire curtain tightly last night because my goal was to sleep in.
The cell phone buzzed again. And again. And again.
Sighed, I stretched my hand to pick it up.
Twelve messages popped up once I turned my phone on.
Who sent me text that much this morning?
I clicked on the messages: from Gail Ainsworth, my next-door neighbor. I groaned inwardly and threw the blanket over my head. Today was my first day out of work and she had known that I want to sleep in. Arggh…
Gail was super nice. Somehow, we developed a mutual relationship since I moved to the apartment

I nodded. Time flied. It had been a year after my conversation with Zoe about the company’s buyout. “How do you feel?” “Hmm…. Sad and feel uncertainty” I answered honestly after giving a thought. I did not like the question but it was something I cannot avoid it. “I don’t know what to do. Yesterday, I already submitted my request to EDD and the HR told me that I will receive their response within ten days”
Gail gave a nod of understanding.
“How about Maddie and Zoe? What are they doing right now?”
“Zoe is fine. She got the offer yesterday and will have a job soon” I shrugged.
“About Maddie, I don’t think we have to worry. Her family has a business in Seattle. If she does not get a job in Orange County, worse come to worse, she will move up there. She does not really care”
“Does she like working with her family? Some people don’t like working in their family business” Gail asked again.
“If I am not mistaken, she does not like either” I said, scratched my chin with the end of my fork, remembered what Maddie told me about her family business. “But, if she has to, she will”
Gail gave another nod. Her eyes were looking at me behind her coffee

Her hands folded on the table with her eyes looking at me concern. “I understand you have tried to find a job since you have known about the buyout. Perhaps, it is not your time yet. Just be patient and keep sending your resume. Don’t give up, my dear”
“Yes” I said, cupping my coffee cup with my hands. “I promise”
“But one thing you have to do after you leave my apartment”
“What?”
“Clean your bedroom, young lady! It is so messy with stuffs. I assume you bought the stuffs and then forgot about them,” Gail said, her hands rising up to the air. “You should sort and decide which one you still want to keep. Then donate the rest of them”
“I know you felt miserable after breaking with Kevin. But life moves on, you should remember that!”
I grinned sheepishly on her comment. Few weeks ago after I broke up with my boyfriend, I had a fever because of my stomach flu. Gail came to my bedroom tend me. Good thing (I guessed), I was very sick at that time and she did not make a comment. I was hoping she forgot about the mess but obviously, she did not.
“All right, I will clean my bedroom. No more clutter” I said quickly, not willing to hear her lecture this morning. The promise seemed to be enough for her. A smile of satisfaction spread on her wrinkle