Chapter 20

Sandi asked Tanya to wait outside while the little group talked and brought her back in just a few minutes later.

Lisa, being accustomed to doing background work, laid out the details.

"We need your parents' names and addresses, and for you to write a letter to one or both of them telling them how you are, and about the training program you found. Don't get specific, just ask them to answer my questions truthfully. Also a separate letter to your high school, allowing them to release your grade records.

We take your word that you were a good student, but we need to follow up just the same."

It took an hour or so for Tanya to handwrite the letter and to sign the HS release request. The address and telephone number given on both were of the company. Tanya asked about that.

"Yes, you'll be contacting people through here, and you'll also work here after you give your notice to Subway. We have a flexible contract with the cleaning company, and you'll put in about 20 hours a week, keeping things straightened up around here."

"Hunh. I can start working right now. They probably won't notice if I don't show up."

"No, now's the time to start doing things the right way. If they want you to work the two weeks, then you have to do it. Everything, even the smallest things, make a difference on your resume, later."

Tanya saw the logic in that and signed a simple letter of notice. Sandi then took her to Target to get some clothes, toiletries, and a large suitcase and shoulder bag. She was relieved to see that Tanya picked out the same inexpensive casuals that any young black college girl might have. A little more trendy than middle-class white, but nowhere near slutty or revealing.

Then, seeing it was after 5 PM, they drove to the Red Gable motel and Sandi went in with the 'new look' Tanya and asked for Bill Goes, the night manager Tanya had referred to.

She recounted later, the look on the man's face was priceless. He turned ashen when he saw them together.

Sandi introduced herself by name only and asked if they could speak privately. She said the man could hardly walk back into his office, and appeared close to peeing his pants.

"Er ... who are you again?" He sat down before his knees collapsed. "Are you with the police ... or..."

Sandi said she felt so sorry for the man, she couldn't let him suffer any more.

"Mr Goes, I'm not a detective, nothing to do with any of that, and you are in no trouble, whatsoever." The relief was evident but only seemed to make him collapse further.