The drive to my new job is as dark and desolate as any other drive in morning before the rest of the world wakes up.

This one seems different though. I don’t know if it’s the fact that I was driving in for my first day at a new job or what, but every nerve in my body seems on edge. It’s driving me crazy; I’m excited because it’s really hard to get accepted for a position with the CDSP, but I feel sick to my stomach at the thought of working there. I dread having to start all over, learning all the new protocols and procedures and units and just.. everything that comes with this job. It took me almost seven months before I was finally comfortable at my first dispatching job.

The hour long drive to the center located on the outskirts of town doesn’t take nearly as long as I hoped it would. Before I knew it, I saw the chain link fence and imposing gray facade appear on the horizon. It’s so much bigger than my old center which does nothing to help calm my nerves.

I pull my old black truck up to the gate to be let in. Once I park, I lean my head against the steering wheel and try to relax a bit before getting out.

I check the time on my dash and realize I only have twenty minutes until shift briefing.

I straighten my ponytail before opening my door, anxious to start my first shift.

I don’t notice the lady walking by my door until it’s too late, the heavy door catches her side causing her to spill the coffee she was holding.

“Oh shit, I am so sorry! Are you okay? Let me get that for you, God I hope that doesn’t stain.” I panicked and pull out a mess of napkins from my glovebox. The woman I just took out with the door gave a defeated laugh, “Freaking hell. That’s just perfect. Lemme guess, you’re Tamaria?” She asks as she takes the napkins from my hand to try and clean herself up. Not sure what else to do in the situation, I nod.

“Hah. That’s perfect. My name’s Cindy Cleveland. I’m your new trainer.” She glances up from the damage control she’s attempting with her shirt to look at me, “Settle down now, there’s no need to look so scared. It’s not like I’m gonna eat you.”

I let out a nervous laugh, “Not the best first impression though, was it?” I lean back into my truck and pull out my spare work shirt, “I’m really sorry about the coffee, I’ll reimburse you. Here you can use my spare shirt if you want it.”

“I really don’t care about the shirt to be honest, I have a spare in my locker. But, you definitely are getting me new coffee or else this,” she gestured between the us, “is going south real fast.”

While we walk to the entrance to the main floor Cindy asks me a question, “So why are you here?” I laugh before replying, “I didn’t have much of a choice in the matter, I got transferred here by a superior.” Cindy puts a foot out to stop me from going in when we reach the glass door, “No, I mean it. No one gets into this center without a damn good resumeé or letter of recommendation. So I’ll ask again, why are you here? What makes you special enough for a position at this center.”

Superior or not, that pisses me off. So against my better judgement I reply, “Look, I don’t know why they stuck me here, but I guess that just means we’ll have to  figure this out together, Ms. Cleveland.” I push her leg aside with my foot, and go inside first.