The rest of the day was a blur and I just put a game face on that at this point in my life I was so used to having a “game” face compared to how you felt. It was easy to do considering all the many awkward conversations I’d had to have in the past with coworkers, dates, and the hellish family day Mr. Johnson always put on twice a year. Having to explain to so many people so many times that it was just me and nobody else got easier and I was able to numb myself to a lot of things. My counselor always said it wasn’t healthy but it felt a hell of a lot healthier than crying all day long because if I looked at it, I was alone and had been this way for a very long time. Nowadays it was easy to turn me on robotic and I learned a long time ago thanks to college speeches, work presentations, and the occasional work conversations I was able to do it without even thinking. That is why I’d always practiced every presentation so much that I could say and do it with no thought invol
Pulling up in my black Cadillac SUV, I was already feeling uncomfortable as this neighborhood was very near the poorest part of the city. Not that I was judging the people who lived here, it was more bothersome to me that Kate lived here. I realized I had gotten to her small apartment complex right next to a small convenience store. I will say although in a bad part of the neighborhood this apartment complex seemed better than most with a well-maintained brick outside a cement porch with cement railing you could sit on that was currently occupied by an elder darker man and a younger man of the same color who appeared to have just completed work at some factory as he was in his blue uniform still and was covered in dirt and oil. I glanced over to the right and in between the convenience store and the apartment building appeared to be a gated community garden which did at least present itself as one of the better buildings I’d driven by. I dressed casually in some denim jeans and a black
I couldn’t stop laughing and bent down to great Rosco my happy little dog. I looked up at Blake and he looked at me in horror. “What the hell Kate? You leave your window open and your dog just pops in?” I could sense my laugh filling my belly and to be honest I needed it after the last few days. “The window leads to the fire escape and the fire escape leads to the apartment’s community garden.” I stood up and walked over motioning for him to look at the window himself. Rosco just circulated his tail waiting for Blake to pay attention. He walked over and I didn’t realize how close I’d allowed him to get to me. I could smell his cologne again and my loins groaned to be nearer him. Keep it together Kate, I told myself. He turned around and looked at me and appeared appalled. “Do you know how unsafe this is? Kate this is not okay. I don’t like it.” Here we go again as I crossed my arms to show him I wasn’t budging. “It’s not your choice and i
The office was dark when I walked in and so very quiet. I had prepared for moving so I just wore some flat-soled boots, black slacks, and a satin grey blouse just in case the day took me somewhere different. Sure enough, as I walked around it looked as if my office was the only one that had anything left in it. I guess everyone was ready for the change. I walked into my office looked around noticing 2 very large boxes already inside and thought I could probably get everything into them. The problem was that mini-fridge of mine, how do I get that moved? It took both Mike and Chris to help me get it here and I thought about doing the same maybe I just don’t have my fridge at work anymore. As I stood there pondering I heard the elevator coming up, and walked over to the entrance to see who was coming as I had thought it might just be Blake coming to rescue me as he suggested yesterday. My heart started pounding with every step thinking about last night again and how badly I wanted to feel
The very polite receptionist walked me over to the elevators and gave explicit instructions to go the floor 68 and I would be greeted and directed from there. I debated ever so slightly as to go to floor 67 and see my coworkers and try to find a spot for myself there. I decided against it as this technology was a new job for me and I should show I can follow simple instructions. The elevator itself was fascinating as I started going up as it was also one way that allowed you to look into every floor as you went up. The best was the daycare and seeing all the different rooms with babies as I twirled around in the elevator. Next, a gym, with exercise groups even, was that a Lamaze class? Once I hit the offices all were put together quite professionally and from everyone, I saw there were smiles all around. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised with all the services that are offered just in this one building. I imagined for workers with families this would be ideal and I couldn’t help but be i
I found myself with Monique’s help making some large plans and sending more e-mails than expected to the team requesting ideas and thoughts as we worked through the many companies. I was drawn to the charities and was hoping I could meet the directors of those soon to help draw some attention to all the companies within Sutton Enterprises as well as the enterprise itself. It was exciting and held so many new projects. I also was slowly making a large list of things we were going to need to do to make this all work including computer programs for creating, new employees, and meetings with all the companies to get their expectations and needs narrowed down. It was going to be a lot of work. I was still so excited and wanted to share my excitement. I realized I wanted to share my excitement with Blake. From afar I could hear a large gathering of what appeared to be many individuals walking as if there was a march with everyone talking. I looked up waiting to see and in the
That morning I sent Monique a quick text letting her know I would be off that day to which she indicated she’d already known. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised as it seemed Blake had a handle on most things. Rosco and I started our day like normal greeting Mrs. Flora and I mentally tried to prepare myself for a day of pampering. It was not something I often did because when my parents were alive they were both busy with work life and although there was an occasional day my mom would enjoy with me, it wasn’t often. I did like to be girly and enjoy nice things but my parents always indicated many of those things were frivolous and not always something that needed to be done. I took girly things as a thing I would only enjoy occasionally as they had both truly pushed me to be head of the game when it came to school rather than anything else. I had stuck to that trend and now was more focused on work than anything else if I wanted to be on top of the game I needed to stay focused.
The spa was wonderful and everyone was very gracious. I was quickly surprised at the start as the first person I was directed to be a personal designer. She was cheerful and helpful and more than willing to help. “I have picked out five dresses that would be suitable for this evening’s festivities. The first thing is to have you try them on so I can make any adjustments so it fits you perfectly by this evening.” I guess Blake did have everything planned out. It wasn’t something I was used to and it took a lot of encouragement in my head to allow someone else to start making choices for me. I realized I needed to start enjoying this treatment rather than dreading it so I put on my best positive attitude and took a look. “I’m guessing by looking at you that you are a size 6?” The designer asked quizzically. “Yes, how did you know that?” “Oh honey, it is what I do!” As she eagerly clapped her hands for herself, proud of her guessing I couldn’t blame her as