HELP NEEDED

 WANDA

 

My new day worker Wanda, no wanna. I answered her ad in the Morning  Journal and at that time she sounded knowledgeable, pleasant and fun. The only problem I heard then was her English was almost non-existent.  Having interviewed at least ten others, I gave up and decided to give Wanda a chance at keeping my home in good order, to have meals ready for me, my husband and daughter, explaining at the time, not sumptuous fancy ones, just simple, tasty, attractive meals. She would have to keep the house clean and in good order. Wanda told me on the phone that she was 22 but when she came to my door, I accepted her small fib as I figured her to be no more than 18.

 

Her arriving exactly at the time I asked her to be here, 9 a.m.,  was the time she rang the doorbell. Good omen. I greeted her warmly. In the foyer Wanda looked quizzically at me. 'Wach u wahn me to do, Meeses Coleman?' I replied, 'Please separate the laundry in the basket next to the washing machine and do one load at a time.' 'Hokay, I can do that.' While my husband and I were having coffee in the kitchen, she called me from the basement. 'Meeses Coleman, can you please show me how to start your washing machine? I never seen one like theese before.' I looked at Lance with dismay, left him sitting alone and went to show Wanda how to turn a dial to read 'on.'

 

Upstairs I handed her a list of what she was to do today. She read it, pointed to the word 'vacuum' and asked me,' What is theese word, Meeses Coleman?' I told her and used hand motions to show her. Wanda's eyes lit up when she understood. 'Where is the machine? How you say that word again? ' I repeated it. I showed her. 'Wanda, I'll be home about four o'clock. My daughter, Kelley, has a key to come in and knows you will be here so don't be frightened. See you later.' I gave Lance a quick kiss and left him finishing his coffee.

 

At exactly 4:15 I arrived home and found Wanda watching t.v. with Kelley. Lance's and my coffee cups were still on the kitchen table. 'Come here, Wanda.' I showed her the cups  and asked why she hadn't washed them and put them away.' Her reply threw me. 'You didna tell me to do that, Meeses Coleman and I would not open your cabinets without your hokay. Hokay?'

 

I was perturbed and asked her to sit down with me while I explain what her duties are again. She looked sad and worried. My temper cooled a bit so I could speak slowly, take her thru the house again and give her more explicit directions. 'Wanda, I'm home earlier today than usual so you don't have to prepare dinner for us but tomorrow you will have to do that. Fresh vegetables are in the refrigerator drawer, ground beef is in the meat section. Take what you need from the pantry, set the kitchen table for three. Everything is in the kitchen someplace, spices, onions, bread, just look and you will find what you need. Straighten the bedrooms, clean the bathroom. Can you fix a nice dinner and do the other things too?' 'Si, Meeses Coleman. I am good cook. My Mama mia loves what I feex.' That set bells ringing in my mind. 'Wanda, we don't want enchiladas every night, in fact, not at all. Do you have any questions, Wanda?' She shook her head 'no' and shrugged her shoulders at the same time. I had to ask her if she meant yes or no.

 

'Wanda go home now. My husband will let you in at 8:30 in the morning. Don't be late. He has to leave for work then. OK?' 'Si, Meeses Coleman.'
She left and I sighed with relief. I improvized on a bagged salad, zapped frozen baked chicken breasts, fried slices of jams dripping syrup and called my family to the table. We sat and discussed Wanda and how unimpressed I was with her knowledge and vocabulary. 'Lance she is never going to work out for us. Tomorrow I'll pay her today's wages that she really didn't earn and let her leave. I'll pay her half day for that too. Lance surprised me when he told me I was being hasty and  suggested I give her another chance. Against my better judgement, I agreed.

 

'Don't anybody do the breakfast dishes. Let's see if Wanda takes care of them.' The few dinner left overs I put in the fridge, left a note on the table for Wanda to take them for her lunch. I came home to find tacos ready to be heated. The table was set for four instead of three. I can only assume she expected to eat with us. 'Lance, I have to let her go.The clothes she put in the washing machine are still there, washed but not dried.' He knew I was right. ' Let her go.'

 

In the morning I waited for Wanda, mentally prepared to give her two days pay and let her go. When she rang the doorbell, I got cold feet. Wanda came in, shook my hand,  looked me right in the eye and said, 'Meeses Coleman. I cahn not work for you. Your washing machine do not dry clothes. I have nobody to talk to all day and I like company. Ma Mama cita wants me to go to school to better learn Henglish so I can be smarter, get better job. I have to queet.' I honestly felt sorry, had compassion for her, wished her well, gave her the extra money. Three times she said, 'Gracias', opened the front door and disappeared. It was clear to both of us that Wanda no wanna work for me. I got  the phone book and called the employment agency I had used once. A new, experienced day worker will be at my home 8:30 the next day.

 

I am smarter today than yesterday. It will take Wanda longer.