First Impression

Tippa’s move from her home city, New Orleans, to the Big Apple was bittersweet. Having to sell her family's house, car, and furniture was all very challenging and has been difficult. It's just so much stuff her parents have accumulated in a marriage of 25 years. But eventually, everything falls into place. Tippa finally got a buyer for the house; she never imagined she would get so emotional about selling the house. It's been her only home for over 20 years. Finally, she realizes that it's no longer going to be hers in two weeks, as she sits at the table with tears in her eyes.  So, she packed her bags and moved to a place where she had family. To cheer herself up, Tippa thought. “I’ve always been fascinated with the Big Apple.” 

But things weren't quite how she had imagined they would be. Her family was fantastic. Living with her dad's brother, her uncle and auntie, and cousins Julia and Ricky, they were very welcoming and supportive. But admittedly, it was different from where she came from in so many ways. Finding a job was a challenge; at first, she applied for office work since she had her degree in business. But months went by, and she wasn't able to find anything. But Tippa always kept a bright upbeat disposition, though she could see her savings dwindling. Then she began to look for more accessible jobs, figuring her southern charms would eventually get her some work.

After beating the pavement all morning and afternoon. Tippa had one more place where she had filled out an application online and was called to do an interview. It was her last hope. All she could do was say a quick prayer. 

“Lord, you know I need this job. I don’t want to spend all my savings and I don’t want to live with my uncle and aunt forever. I need to start adulting and get my own place to live. So please let these people hire me. Amen.”

It was the last job interview for the day when everything turned around. To Tippa's surprise, she got hired on the spot at a medical school, NYU Kincaid School of Medicine as a concierge, a fancy word for housekeeper or janitor, Tippa thought. 

But Ms. Lauren hired Tippa.

"I'm willing to pay you a good salary if you're willing to work Monday through Friday, and some evenings and Saturdays." 

Tippa didn't know what to say, she was surprised that she finally got hired. "Yes! Yes, ma'am!" 

"That's good; come to my office tomorrow at 11 am."

When she got home and told her family she had been hired, they were happy and cheering for her. But when she told them where she had been hired, their tune soon changed. Everyone got noticeably quiet. 

"Hey! What happened to all the chants and cheers?" Tippa asked still dancing excitedly over her new job.

Julia, her cousin, says. "Well, it's not the job, it's just the place."

"What do you mean?" 

"Tippa, sweetheart, you are going to do fine. But keep in mind we are not down south. People are different up North, especially the aristocratic New Yorkers. Look, just do good work, stay to yourself, and avoid being too friendly with anyone over there," her aunt encourages her.

"Why? Ms. Lauren was nice." 

"The Kincaid's run a large part of the medical industry, they are a prominent fixture here.”

Tippa stood there looking confused. She couldn’t understand what any of that had to do with getting hired as a mop and bucket pusher. It wasn’t like she was going to be handling top-secret files. She thought, smirking.

“Look, how can I put this plainly? They're powerful people here in New York."

"Oh, and mom, don't leave out, they're very stuck up and cold people!" Julia interjects.

Tippa smiles. "I'm not worried, I get along with everyone. I'll be fine. I must go get ready for my orientation tomorrow."

Julia and Aunt Lacey shook their heads. "Do you think she understood what we were saying?" Aunt Lacey asked. All Julia could do was haunch her shoulders replying, “I don’t know, Tippa is just a ball of sunshine. She’ll do fine.” She said as they both smiled.

Tippa had been following her aunt’s advice by staying to herself and focusing on her work. It was easy to do considering she hadn't made any friends to talk about. Instead, people stared, murmuring, “What is she?”

“I heard her tell someone she was Creole. What is that? A mutt!” The two girls laughed as they walked away.

Their ignorance was more than apparent, and it made her angry, but she kept her tongue. Keeping in mind her mother’s words. “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”

She ignored them while other coworkers talked about her southern accent. The only friendly encounter was the incident she had one Saturday morning about a month ago when she entered the empty building. This morning, she woke up late. After staying up practically all night catching up and talking with her cousin Julia.

Tippa hurriedly jumped out of bed, washed her face, brushed her teeth, and moisturized and combed her hair. She got dressed as fast as she could. Tippa stopped at the corner pastry shop, grabbed her a sweet roll and cup of coffee, and headed to work.

She was trying to finish the last of her sweet roll and a few drops of coffee as she tried to open the door to the building but was unable to. Just as she took another swallow of her coffee, trying to free her hand up to open the door, an extremely handsome young guy pushed the door open for her.

"Miss, were you trying to come in?" he said, flashing a brilliant smile.

Taking a deep swallow of the hot coffee left in her mouth as she gazed up at him, she said.

"Oh, yes! Thank you!"

With her hands full with her purse and carrying a bag filled to the max with her change of clothes and towels along with her coffee cup and napkins, he asked. "Can I assist you with your things?"

"Huh? Oh... hmm...thank you, I'm headed to the fourth floor."

Ross’s eyes widened as he was immediately struck by her beauty. He proceeded to try to converse further.

"So, do you work here?" he said, glancing at her shyly.

"Yes, I do.... what about you?" Tippa’s glancing up at him quickly.

"Oh...yes, I mean I’m a medical student." He said with very male vocals making Tippa smile at his masculine tone.

When he said that, the elevator door opened, and they walked out into the hallway. He reached for her bag and an almost empty cup of coffee.

"Well, it was nice meeting you.......uh........" He looked directly at her, waiting for her to say her name.

When she looked up at him, and he smiled, her heart fluttered, and her stomach filled with butterflies.

"Oh, my name is Tippa, and yours?" She was so glad she caught her breath to ask him his name.

"Yes... it's Ross. It was nice meeting you, Tippa. Your name is interesting. Have a nice day at work," he said, smiling and giving her a wink.

Tippa could feel the electric currents going up and down her spine, making it shiver, as she tried to stay calm, watching him as he walked back to the elevator, wondering if she was dreaming. Once the elevator doors closed. “Wait! Did he just wink at me?”  The man looked like he had just stepped off the cover of a magazine! She pinched herself to make sure it was happening and if this man was for real. The only thought that came into Tippa’s mind was, don't play with fire because you just might get burned, but admittedly she was tempted.