Chapter Three (so far)

[AnnieMcD]

 

Chapter Three

 

 

            Work that day was ... long.  I was exhausted, and confused still by the events of the last few days.  My boss, who was incidentally also one of my best friends, even bought me Starbucks, because she said that I looked like I needed a pick-me-up.  I loved Whitney, she was the main reason I hadn't left the job which was fun, but not exactly the best paying job in the world.  After many years working as a bill collector, spent miserable and constantly on the verge of a nervous breakdown, I had discovered this job.  Working as a front desk agent in a small resort had a few things to offer me.  A slow pace, with little pressure; smiling faces which weren't cursing me out for saying hello; and good friends with whom I could spend my hours chatting away happily, were all perks of the job.    Whitney was the Assistant General Manager of the resort, but everyone knew she had all of the power.  In spite of that she was friendly, willing to work, and dependable.  In short, she was the best manager a worker could ask for. 

            "What's the matter B?" she asked me that afternoon.  "You've been acting strangely ever since your party.  I know Owen's out of town, but that's not unusual, what's up?"  That was the other thing about Whitney; she was observant and intuitive, even when one didn't want her to be.  I wasn't sure what I was feeling, or what was going on in my mind, and I was honestly ashamed of my behavior, so I covered up.

            "Nothing, nothing, I'm just tired.  I was up late, and I had a bad dream.  So I'm just not all here today.  Sorry." I smiled at her to show that I really did regret not being my usual bubbly self.  That was one of my favorite things about my choice of careers; I was finally able to be smiles and sunshine without people judging me.  I tried to "turn on" after that conversation, but even my best attempts fell flat.  Finally, about two hours before I was supposed to go home, Whitney sent me, saying I needed to get some sleep and maybe I would be able to better when it was still daytime.  I left work gratefully, knowing that I would go home and crash. 

            Sure enough, I didn't wake up until well after dark.  I was starving.  I looked at the clock and realized it was nearly nine p.m..  Just as I started shuffling my way into the kitchen the phone rang.  My heart jumped in my chest, and again I felt that strange combination of exhilaration and guilt.  I looked at the caller id apprehensively, but my nerves were unnecessary; it was just Owen.  I answered the phone hoping that he had had a good day, and sure enough he had.

            "Hey Love!  Today was amazing!  The kids loved the show, and everyone had a great time." He talked for about another 15 minutes about the days events.  You see, Owen works for a very famous children's music group.  He helps organize the shows, and warms up the crowd with the clown act he had used to work his way through college.  He was one of the most amazing balloon artists I had ever seen, and the kids and parents were always impressed by his act.  This was the man I had fallen in love with, and I was always happy when he was in this mood.  I told him bits and pieces of my day, that I missed him terribly, and that I hadn't been able to sleep well the night before.  "Hey!" he said "Why don't you call that friend of yours up and get together.  You seemed really happy to see him at the party, and I'm sure you didn't get enough time alone together.  I bet he'd be thrilled to come spend an evening with you, and maybe he could chase the monsters out of the house."
            Are you kidding me?  Seriously, did I have to have the only husband in the world that wanted me to call my ex, while he's out of town, to hang out?  I laughed.  "No Darlin', he's probably busy, it's late, I'll be fine."

            "Ok then, but you make sure to call and visit with him.  He's a good guy, I'd like to hang out with him myself, but I know you'll want some time alone with him first.  After all, he is your friend.  Ok, I've got to go, they guys want to go out for a drink.  I love you!  I'll talk to you tomorrow, okay?"

            "Of course Owen, have a great time, give the guys my love, and I'll talk to you then.  Love you too."  This was how we ended all of our phone conversations.  It was how we ended all of our conversations in general, even the fights.  I was raised to understand that no matter how mad you might be at someone, any conversation might be your last, so you should always tell them you love them before saying goodbye.  That rule had gotten me through some tough nights, and I needed him to know now more than ever that I loved him.  Hell, I needed ME to know.  "I miss you, I can't wait to see you again, I love you." I said again before hanging up.

            Once I put my phone on the charger, I started to make my way back toward the kitchen, I hadn't eaten since breakfast, which consisted wholly of a Frappuccino, and I really needed to eat something.  Just as my feet hit the linoleum, the phone rang again.  "Dammit, what do you want?" I cursed at nobody in particular, and I jogged back into the living room where the phone was. 

 

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