Me: Fuck, there are a lot of people here.

Sophia: Don’t worry baby. They’re hiring for all locations in the Bay area. There’s plenty of work to go around. They’re going to love you.

A man stepped outside, cupping his hands around his mouth. “The interview process today will take between two to three hours. If you can’t stay for that length of time, you can leave now.” Some men stepped out of line and walked to their cars. I felt sick waiting in line, my nerves were on edge. I didn’t want to talk about my arrest, but I needed to know my chances of landing this job.

Me: A guy just announced I’ll be here around 3 hours. I’m sorry beautiful.

Sophia: That’s fine, I’ll go shopping. Stay there and knock their socks off sexy.

I made my way through the various stations and paperwork checks. I sat in the waiting room, shaking my foot uncontrollably, to be called by the head of Human Resources. I kept playing over possible ways to ask about the background check without sounding like a lifelong criminal.

“Mr. Michaels?” a woman called from the doorway. I blinked taking a moment to realize she was calling my name, before standing and following behind her. The interview started relatively well, she read over my application and questioned me about my work experience. While I spoke she flipped through my paper work, stopping on a spot and began to tap her pen.

“I see here, Mr. Michaels, that you’ve been arrested. Tell me about it,” she said

My palms began to sweat as I rubbed them together thinking before I answered. “I was arrested and charged with Criminal Mischief.”

“Is it a misdemeanor or a felony?” she asked. She chewed on her pen as she waited for my answer.

“Misdemeanor, ma’am,” I answered as my heart pounded violently in my chest.

“Were you found guilty?” she asked with a raised eyebrow.

“No, adjudication was withheld.” I responded.

“It shouldn’t be an issue then, misdemeanors are often over looked, but felonies are the kiss of death.” She quickly read over the rest of my application, “Look for an email in the next 24 hours. The candidates we’ve chosen to move forward will receive an email with directions.” She stood up and extended her hand to me.

“Thank you, ma’am, I look forward to that email.” I said with a wink. I could usually charm the panties off any woman, but today my goal was a job. She blushed and I shook her hand lightly and smiled. I felt confident that I would get that email, I always interviewed well with women.

I left the interview feeling upbeat and found Sophia waiting for me in the parking lot. She smiled as I entered the car. “How did it go, sweetheart?” she asked, leaning over for a kiss.

“Really well, I think I got the job actually, if I can pass the background check,” I said, rifling through the papers they handed me during the interview. “I’ll get an email tomorrow if I’m selected to move forward in the hiring process.”

I became obsessed with my email; I wanted this job, I needed it. Every time my phone dinged I jumped to check it. Just when I was about to give up hope, it arrived.