Short Story ~ Chapter 3

Chapter 3

“Abby you’re back!” Carla’s voices sears through me like a knife. She is a bubbly receptionist who loves to gossip, but she isn’t mean or hateful. I think that might be her way to get to know people. She can be intimidating; she stands about 5’ 10” and has long fire red hair that just brushes past her shoulders, I think she tries to match her finger nails to her hair, not that it bothers me. She looks like a model and I think she did that in her past life but it got out of hand from what I can remember. Somehow she ended up here at NS Turner & Associates.

“Hey Carla, yeah I guess I’m back”, my comments always seem to ooze sarcasm, I can’t help it. “What’s up?” I am praying she doesn’t ask about the flower I am holding or the ones at my desk, as happy as I am right now I do not want to talk about this.

“This came for you while you were out; I think it’s from who ever you are not seeing!” She is practically jumping up and down; this girl will be the death of me.

“Carla, I’m not seeing anyone nor am I not, not seeing anyone” I snapped this time.

“Oh, well it just seems…” I cut her off

“What is it?” My blood pressure starts to rise, why can’t she just leave these things on my desk like everyone else!

“I don’t know it’s in a box. I didn’t want to open your stuff” she sheepishly replied, dammit I didn’t mean to make her feel afraid to talk to me today. As nicely as I could I said

“Thank you for holding this for me, I am glad you thought to keep it safe.”

“No problem” she is beaming again. Whew that was too close. I take the box and head back. In the confines of my cubicle the smell of roses is strong and engulfs me like a soft sheet on a hot day.

“Hey Abby your cubicle stinks! When are you going to rid of those damn flowers?”

“Shut up Stephen, if I have to put up with your stupid jokes then you have to put up with my WONDERFUL flowers” I really lay it on thick how wonderful they are.

“Okay, but take them home, its making me nauseous” Stephen quipped back. He is the class clown in our group, he is always emailing dirty jokes and going on and on about his adventures to be like the guys from Jackass. I can’t believe he is still hooked on that, I am grossed out just thinking about some of the stuff he’s told me. To be honest I’m impressed he is still alive after some of his more daring stunts to copy those guys.

“Okay, I will tonight” besides I’d rather have these at home anyway, they are too beautiful to be stuck in this beige wasteland of cubicles and ‘motivational’ posters.

The rest of the afternoon zips by and soon enough it’s time to head out the door. Today I am going to be more aware of my driving; the Mystery Man’s words have been in the back of my mind all day ‘accident…orphaned…drive safely’. I run to the bathroom before I leave and when I get back there on my keyboard is a single peach rose. I couldn’t have been gone for more than five minutes, he has to be here. I look around and everyone is still at their desks, closing up shop. Carla catches my eye and smiles. She must have seen someone, I head straight to her desk…she knows who it is, she let them in. I HAVE TO KNOW!

“Carla, has anyone come in recently?” I ask with as little more gusto than I intended.

“Not while I’ve been here, why?

Shit, if I tell her why that's it on me, I’ll never get out of here. “No reason, I thought I heard someone asking for something” LIAR, she’ll know I know. She is just playing me right now; well I won’t crack…no way.

“Well I was just in the bathroom a few minutes ago but not for very long.” I can hear the wheels turning in her mind.

“Oh, never mind” I can play it cool too lady!

“Are you sure? Is there something wrong?” okay maybe I was wrong, she actually looks a bit concerned.

“No like I said I thought I heard something; anyways, good night Carla. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Yeah, don’t forget its ‘Hawaiian Day’ wear your best coconuts!” She can barely get the words out she is laughing so hard. Coconuts really, even the thought makes me laugh too.

“Oh yeah, I’ll bring my fancy grass skirt!” as usual dripping with sarcasm.

The company is trying to make our jobs more fun, boosting moral or whatever, except it’s mandatory that we participate so it takes away the ‘fun’ of it. I have been here for about ten years; I started almost right after college. I have seen this company do all sorts of moral boosting exercises but this last one is the worst!

I get back to my desk and gather my stuff, the vase of roses, which now include two additional roses, my purse and my box. I can’t believe I forgot about this box, just sitting on my desk undisturbed, patiently waiting to be opened. Well it will have to wait because now I am running late and I have to get the boys on time or there is a fee, a late fee so to speak, like a credit card. This always makes me laugh but I’m sure after being around multiple kids all day long I’d want assurances that they were picked up on time too!

Its just before six when I pick up Ben and Philip, they look like there are in the middle of creating their own masterpiece. Their hands are covered in all sorts of blues, reds and greens; they come to give me a hug but I jump back, blue hands plus grey slacks are not really in style this season. While they are washing up Ali runs me through their day, naps, lunch, painting and no time outs. The last bit of information is always a welcome surprise; she said they were very well behaved and polite all day and that whatever I was doing I should keep it up. ‘Could this day get any better?’

We get home and make dinner, well okay pizza again for the third night in a row but heck if they will actually eat it who am I to complain. After dinner they both help to clear the table without even being asked.

“Who are you and what have you done to my monkeys?” I question them but I am actually curious as to their dinnertime turn around.

“Oooooohhhhhhh Mmmmommmmmmmmmmmmyyyyyy!” Philip says with a sigh, our little game.

“Oooooohhhhhhh Pphhhhhhhhiiiiiiiillllllllliiiiiiipppppp!” I have to return it back or he gets a little ‘upset’.

“Mommy, stop it! You have to give us cookies!” That would be my little CEO. He is the most persuasive and exhausting kid you’ll ever meet and to top that he has the negotiating skills of a car salesman, but he is only five so I have to keep the upper hand. As hard as it is to say no to his cute face I have to keep him in line.

“Ben” using my serious mommy voice “I am sure there is a nicer way to ask for a special after dinner treat. Want to try again?” Of course I am going to give them cookies, I’d give them the moon if they asked for it but I’m still the boss of this place and I can’t lose that control.

“Mommy?” his voice is as sweet as honey; he makes me smile all the way through to my heart. “Can Philip and I plllleeeeeeeeeaaaaaasse have some yummy cookies for being sooooooooo good today?” His voice is so unnaturally sweet, I almost melt.

“Of course you can, just remember you have to be nice when you are asking for something special.”

“Okay!” he says that like he’s closed on a deal. “YAY!!!!!” my screamer in the background, always ready for a cookie, just like his dad.

For a minute I think I’m about to breakdown, looking at Philip is like looking at Adam. His eyes, his unruly hair, even his stature reminds me of Adam. He could have been a clone of his dad, except his temperament is all mine! I shake off those thoughts for tonight, we have our annual visit to Adam’s grave site in a few weeks and I really don’t want to feel bad the whole time leading up to it.

After the boys finish their cookies and head up to bed I remind them to go potty one more time because I am not coming upstairs again. I know that’s a lie and I am pretty sure that they know it too but it’s become part of our routine.

Tonight continues the bliss that was my day; well with the exception of my potential inquisition everything has been smooth. There was next to no traffic, my clients were oddly open to my suggestions and generous with their pocketbooks, my lunch was amazing, the boys were behaving like angels and I got flowers. The only way I can think to add to this day is a fully cooked meal. Usually I stick to cereal or frozen food dinners but I’m feeling like spoiling myself. On tonight’s menu is pan seared pork chops, cornbread stuffing, creamed spinach and cinnamon peaches for dessert. Okay it’s a bit much for one but I know Philip loves this meal and I can take the leftovers to work for lunch tomorrow.

It’s surprisingly early by the time I clean up and get to relax for the night. I grab my box from work and head for the living room. The box is sort of heavy; it’s not too large, maybe about the size of a wine bottle. I carefully slice the tape to avoid hitting whatever is inside.