Autumn In Kent
Puti Started Working at Belmont

Several students were seen in the lobby when Puti entered the Business Administration building. Puti greeted them kindly before walking towards the escalator who took him to the 2nd floor. He turned right through the hallway on the left and right neatly lined locker for students. Puti went to her locker and put some thick books into that locker and took out a bundle of paper. Paper he must collect. After locking the locker back he walked towards his lecture hall on the 3rd floor excitedly. There's someone he'll meet this morning. Billy McCroom's.

How disappointed Puti when he arrived at his lecture room and did not find McCroom there. Even until college began, Billy was still invisible. Puti felt surprised, it was not Billy's nature to be absent from college. Moreover, he had promised to update her about the odd job he wanted.

After college, Puti turned on her phone. No message from Billy McCroom. There was also no message from Mike Gray. Puti wrote a short message to Mike, ‘Still in Oregon?’ before he turned off his gadget again.

Puti's hope of meeting Billy was destroyed when in the next lecture he also did not manage to meet Billy.

‘Maybe I was destined not to earn myself,’ Puti lamented inwardly while trying to focus her attention on college and forget Billy's promise.

Twelve hours twenty minutes to one is the Puti lunch schedule. He rushed to the cafeteria, afraid of not having enough time. Seeing the long queue in front of the cafeteria almost made him despair. If you do not remember that he must be on campus until the afternoon it feels like giving up his lunch. With a heavy heart he was forced to stand in the queue.

The menu in the cafeteria was not to be expected. Sometimes tasty but not infrequently below standard “asal can be eaten”. Puti tried to read today's menu that was taped to the wall near the entrance, but to no avail. His gaze was obstructed by the large body of the young man standing right in front of him. He was on his tiptoes, standing on the tip of his foot, still to no avail.

‘Lasagna and salad,’ suddenly heard a voice right behind him. Puti felt like she recognized the voice. Quickly he looked.

‘Billy!’ fun. ‘Where are you? Why not take college?’

‘I just came back from Arbor Circle,’ Billy replied with a smile showing his teeth brilliant white, contrasting with the color of his skin. Arbor Circle is a small shopping mall, not far from the entrance of the Kent campus.

‘Arbor Circle? What are you doing in Arbor Circle?’

‘Search for jobs for you.’

‘Jeez, Billy. You do not have to sacrifice your lecture for it,’ said Puti felt sinful.

‘Majulah, Puti, we are already far behind,’ Billy reminded without intending to respond to Puti's opinion. Puti took a few steps forward following the young man in front of her.

‘You didn't ask me my results?’ ask Billy.

‘What? Sure oes. How did it go?’

‘I managed to get a job for you. Not a cool job, but I think it's right for you. You will have enough time to relax or read the lesson,’ replied Billy. Both of them stepped forward again. Then Puti took two trays. He told Billy.

‘What's my job?’ tanyakanya.

‘Sand.’

‘Cashier?’ repatriate Puti. Billy nodded. ‘Billy, you must be kidding. How can you say that I will have time to relax? Cashiers are always busy all day.’

‘Depending on the store,’ says Billy is quiet. ‘I told you earlier, not a cool job. You won't be working in a major department store like Strauss, Macy’s or Hill. You will only work on a small drug-store that is quiet visitors. Do you know the Belmont Drugstore in Arbor Circle?’

‘Belmont Drugstore? Yeah, I went there two or three times. The owner is an old lady right?’ reply Puti while bowing and picking up an orange juice carton then she puts it in her tub. Without realizing it he had been standing at the very front row.

‘Hallo, Puti,’ greet fat lady cafeteria officer to Puti.

‘Oh, hi, Mrs. Snyders. How are you?’ reply Puti warm.

‘Wonderful,’ replied Mrs. Snyders. ‘ What do you want? Tuna Sandwich or Lasagna?’

‘I take Lasagna,’ Reply Puti.

‘You know, Puti, I just got home from visiting my son and grandson in Wisconsin,’ Mrs. Snyder tells the story while taking a plate of Lasagna for Puti.

‘How are they doing? Just be healthy?’

‘Yes. Everything's great. Both my grandchildren are grown. Pat this year started at Junior High and his sister Christ is already in fourth grade,’ replied Mrs. Snyder proud. ‘Oh yes, Puti, do you have any stamps from Indonesia? Pat's been trying to collect stamps. I intend to send him.’

‘I think I have a lot. Later I find,’ promise Puti while quickly put the food on the tray. He knew that if he continued his chatter, the people behind him would grumble.

‘See you, Mrs. Snyder, ‘pap Puti to Mrs. Snyder before it passes. The woman replied with a wave of her hand.

Puti and Billy manage to get an empty spot in the corner of the room.

‘Puti, how many people do you not know in Kent?’ ask Billy as soon as they sit down.

‘What?’ tanya Puti did not understand.

‘Oh it ...,’ sigh Puti. ‘I think that's one of my weaknesses. I always wanted to know the lives of others. Even people I don't know once. I cannot be indifferent, especially to people I know well. I will feel very sinful if I do not say hello to them, ‘ replied Puti. ‘Back to our problem, Billy. When can I start working?’

‘When you want,’ replied Billy. ‘I told Mrs. Belmont and he expect as soon as possible. He really needs a cashier.’

‘Good. I'll be there later in the afternoon after college.’

☘️

On a typical day, Puti always enters the dormitory complex through a gate close to the parking lot. But this afternoon Puti deliberately passed the main door. Doors that have direct access to public facilities. He entered the lobby then walked towards the information section.

‘Did yesterday afternoon someone search for me or call me?’ ask the information officer.

‘What number is your room, Puti?’ the officer asked. ‘

‘Unit L-104‘

‘L ... one ... empty.. four,’ reset the officer while sorting the news card arranged by room number. ‘No. No message for you, ‘more. Puti was disappointed but she still tried to smile.

‘If anyone calls or searches for me, please tell him to call my HP after eighty or have him leave his name and phone number,’ message Puti.

‘OK,’ said the officer again while noting Puti's message on his card.

‘Thanks,’ said Puti before it passed.

Puti walked lethargicly towards her unit. He tried to call Mike Gray, but Mike's phone wasn't active. Even the sms he sent had not been replied to. Before entering his unit, Puti breathed a long breath, expelling the worry that was in his chest.

‘Hai, already home?’ hello Emma who was already in their apartment.

‘Yes God, Em, what are you doing? Our house is like a broken ship,’ said Puti did not answer Emma's greeting. He saw their living room in a mess filled with rolls of cloth, sketch paper, clothes, hangers and all sorts of other items. Emma who was sitting cross-legged on the carpet scanned her surroundings then smiled widely.

‘Tomorrow there is a deadline to make beach clothing designs. Later when I'm done,’ Emma's appointment who attended the Fashion Design faculty. Puti nodded, throwing her bags and books on the sofa. Between the bikini and Emma's beach towel. After taking off his shoes he immediately headed to his room.

‘Where to?’ asked Emma when she saw Puti out of the room again with clothes and toiletries.

‘Mandi,’ Reply Puti short, while closing the bathroom door. Emma suspected. Puti never went straight to the bathroom once she arrived at the dormitory. Usually, he will lie down for a few minutes. And often he just took a shower before going to bed.

‘You have an event?’ asked Emma when Puti had returned to the guest room and smelled good.

‘Ya,’ Puti said while putting her dirty clothes in a plastic bag and put the bag into one of the lower kitchen cabinets. ‘Today I started working,’ he continued proudly.

‘What?!’ scream Emma.

‘You've heard it, sweet Emma. I started working this afternoon. ‘

‘You? You're going to work? Wow I never thought that you would work,’ commented Emma.

‘Where?’ ask Emma to know.

‘Belmont Drugstore. Arbor Circle,’ replied Puti while combing her hair.

‘I think you need to know, Put, Mrs. The Belmont was very chatty and cuddly. No one works there. If you want a sweet work experience, do not work there,’ advice Emma.

‘Emma Walden, are you trying to scare me?’

‘Same as no. Prove my own words. ‘

Hearing those words Puti's heart became wry. He needs money but if he has to be reviled and carried first he still has to think a thousand times.

☘️

It turns out that Emma's words are not at all proven. At least for today. Mrs Belmont welcomes Puti warmly and then teaches her what to do. Once Puti can be removed on her own, the woman immediately leaves her and gets busy with her own work.

In the Belmont Drugstore there are three workers. Four with Puti. Two of them worked at his drugstore and two others, including Puti at a general store. Along with Mrs Belmont, Puti acts as a cashier. I love the atmosphere of the place. Only occasionally will buyers come. And in between their free time they can sit back leisurely.