Anika Tuck

Mr. Taylor's Little Black Book

Mr. Taylor’s Little Black Book : Purpose and Prosperity The radio on the side table blares….BEEP, BEEP, BEEP It’s 7 a.m. in the 478, rise and shine let’s get up and start this wonderful work day! Nikki groans loudly pulling her pillow back over her face as she dreads another day on the grind at her low-level job as a custodial worker for the Houston County Medical Center. Oh, how I hate Monday’s she sighs dragging herself out the bed and into the bathroom to get ready for work. Nikki stands in the mirror looking at her tired eyes swollen and red from crying all night while thinking about the stack of unpaid bills on her countertop in the kitchen. How had she gotten here; how did she sink this low? Six months ago Nikki was thriving. She was a top seller at her firm earning good commission and really getting on her feet. But like so many others, when the pandemic hit, she found herself out of a job and not enough savings to keep her afloat. Luckily, she had a friend, a nurse at the Houston County Medical Center who helped her get this part-time job in housekeeping, but it barely brought in enough to make rent. Her savings had dwindled, and she was already a month behind on her car payment. She felt helpless and scared. Nonetheless she knew she had to keep this job and try to get back on her feet. Nikki shakes the negative thoughts from her mind and tries to meditate on making her day a good one. She prays out loud, “Universe please favor me today, favor those I work with and please help Mr. Taylor get well so he can go home to his family.”