This is a slow burn but so worth it. I hope the characters feel as real to you as they do to me.
XOXO,
SkylerLuv
<<<>>>
What if I just keep driving?
It is a thought that replays in my head more often than not nowadays. Either from the drive to work or back home, even when driving back from the grocery store. What if I decided one day to leave? Start somewhere new with a new name and maybe a new identity. My parents are too independent and self-sufficient to notice right away. Once they do, they would probably have a hard time tracking me down from their RV. They probably wouldn't even want to. They are retired and living out the rest of their days visiting each state in the US without a care in the world. Me going missing may put a damper on their adventure.
My friends would find it odd. I am nothing if not predictable. They can probably guess where I am right at this very moment. They know what days I have my yoga class, when I like to go to the movies, and how I like to spend my afternoons relaxing as soon as I am free. Being spontaneous and adventurous is not part of my makeup. They know that. It is the reason I am their dependable friend. The one they call right before their party so that I can bring extra ice and anything else they may have forgotten. The one who stays behind after a celebration ends and helps clean up. I am that friend that will make sure they get home in one piece after our nights out. I herd them like a mother hen, it is my role.
Especially on those nights that do not include Hank, my boyfriend.
How long would it take for him to notice my disappearing act?
Probably a few minutes if I'm being honest. As soon as he realizes there isn't a warm plate of food in front of him and no toilet paper on the roll since we ran out this morning. He'll probably yell my name a few times while he's sitting there on his phone wondering what is taking me so long. I look in my backseat at the packet of two-ply.
I am nothing if not predictable.
<<<>>>
Monday morning rolls around the same way it typically does, very slowly.
The work itself keeps me busy. It is the beginning of a new week. Everyone who was in town for a trip or visiting family is long gone, making room for the new wave of guests. This hotel has more foot traffic than others in the area because of the location. We're the closest to downtown without the ridiculous prices and the shopping center next door has enough entertainment for most family members.
I've worked as a front desk agent for three years now.
At first, I thought it would be a nice change of pace from the rigid world of numbers I worked in accounting. I made good money. My coworkers liked me and so did my bosses. But then I had a major life event happen. Not that major. My boyfriend cheated. I found him with his best friend and had no choice but to move out of our apartment.
What made it a semi-major event?
I allowed myself to put all of my eggs in one basket. One rotten basket. I didn't date much in high school, barely in college. He was my first real boyfriend after graduating. I assumed when one committed to a relationship, they went into it head first. My parents married after knowing each other for three weeks and have been together for over fifty years. It truly never crossed my mind to tread carefully in my first official real relationship.
I gave him access to my phone, my bank accounts, and my apartment. He fit in. He made himself comfortable. Took up space in my life until all I had was him. The more I gave, the more he demanded. But we were in love. I had no qualms. We were building a life together. We were working towards getting married and buying our white picket fence home. We had dog names and kid names picked out. I was the happiest woman alive.
It just so happens that I wasn't the only happy woman in his life.
I was blindsided.
Utterly at a disadvantage.
Never in my twenty-something years of age did I imagine him having eyes for anyone else. Just like I couldn't see another man that measured up to him. I thought we were soul mates. That he understood me and everything that I stood for. I left nothing out when I bared my soul to him. I didn't know that when you are in a relationship with someone, there should be pieces of yourself that you should take care of. That you should guard with everything that you are worth. Because there are people who never deserve to see that part of you. That vulnerable part can cause you to bleed out if it is ever exposed.
He cut me deep.
The rug was pulled from under my feet. The blindfold fell off. The rose-colored glasses broke into a million little pieces. Maybe not completely since I eventually allowed myself to heal enough to let someone else in. I mourned my first love. I cried and I left. He never contacted me after my last day in the apartment. Not even when the new lease came and went. It was maybe the guilt or maybe he really respected my wishes. After what seemed like a long time, I began to seek the warmth of another
I moved on.
I got a new apartment. A new job. Same friends after dropping a few who knew about the affair. And finally, a new boyfriend after two years. I also had to get a new bank account and remove him from all of my online subscriptions. Eventually, I started to feel normal again. Like the wound was really starting to heal over time. The ache turned dull and it was replaced when I met Hank.
He is nothing like my ex. He is younger than me but mature for his age. He wants nothing to do with my finances and he insists on living together but splitting everything in half. He doesn't ask much of me. He is the perfect companion. Not the most handsome man out there, but he has a lot of heart. Enough for both of us. He doesn't push me or demand anything more than what I am ready to give. He is nice. Exactly what I need.
Just like this job.
It is reliable. I've become familiar with the seasons. I know when we should expect the most guests and when we will have a slow month. I can even predict what our quality index scores will be like depending on which housekeepers are on schedule. The regulars know me by now just like I know them and their preferences.
I've immersed myself in my role over the years. My navy blue blazer and skirt are a staple of my position. I take great care to always wear a white blouse, black tights, and comfortable black shoes in perfect order. As I am reminded every year during our annual training, I am the first friendly face the guests see when they arrive. I particularly make sure my name tag is always straight, just in case anyone wants to pass along any feedback regarding their customer service experience.
So, why on Earth would I ever want to leave here and drive away without ever looking back?
<<<>>>
Rupert, my boss, sits in front of the team during our morning meeting.
He's a nice older man, who has worked with the hotel longer than I have been alive. He was the one who interviewed me directly and has been an absolute angel since I joined his team. His once brown hair is graying on the sides but he looks good for a man his age. His gorgeous wife makes sure to feed him only healthy meals, which we all tease him about during our lunch break.
"There is a new initiative that they want to roll out for employees interested in growing within the company." He smiles brightly at all of us. "I have a few employees in mind but I want to leave a list up here for those who would like to sign up for the opportunity to get hands-on training by professionals in our field. The training itself will be three days long with all traveling and hotel expenses paid for. There will be other employees from different branches around the country. I highly recommend it if any of you are inclined."
I see a few employees sit up straighter.
