"Whump!"
The sharp sound of a hand slapping my desk snapped me back into the real world, and nearly into the ceiling...I hadn't heard anyone come up behind me.
"Heellloooo....Earth to Meaghan...what are you still doing here? Quitting time was over an hour ago!" The raspy voice of the shift supervisor grated into my ears, accompanied by the vile smell of stale cigarette smoke and poor oral hygiene.
Mentally pulling my nails out of the tiles above my desk, I swiveled my chair to address my odiferous boss, Bernie.
"Got a last minute call from the Carter's about their account, and they want to switch which week they are coming in. Oh, and Mr. Lude needed an update on the monthly financials for a short notice meeting in the morning..." I trailed off, seeing the wry look twisting the super's face.
"Meaghan, let me explain something to you...AGAIN. You are taking this job too seriously. You don't take a lunch break, you won't take a vacation unless forced to, and I can't get you to let go of the damned phone. You are of no use to us if you continue to burn yourself out. Leave a note for the morning shift to accomplish any last minute stuff that comes up. Your work ethic is commendable, but you need to learn to let go, ok? Oh, and you are now off for the next three days."
Gaping at my supervisor, I felt a moment of panic. Three days?!? But I haven't had time to plan anything, and there was that meeting on Thursday....quelling my racing thoughts, I smiled weakly at him.
"That's ok Bernie, I am headed out now, it's not really necessary..."
"Nope, three days...and hand over the cell."
Damn...I had hoped he would forget about the on-call phone.
Reluctantly, I placed the small silver device into his outstretched palm.
An odd feeling of nakedness crept over me...what am I supposed to do now?
Bernie waited with the patience of a mountain while I shut down my computer and gathered my things. He then escorted me to the door, and grinned at me as I stepped out onto the stairs.
"Take some time for yourself, have a little fun!" he said, and shut the door firmly.
"Chunk!!" the sound of the deadbolt seating sounded disturbingly final as I stared through the glass at Bernie. He shot me a grin, and a wave before turning back to walk to his office.
Shit.
Grumbling to my self, I turned away from the doors, and nearly jumped out of my skin for the second time in less than 10 minutes.
"You're late; Meaghan...let me guess, last minute "emergency" with the Carter's again?"
The laughing baritone voice preceded my friend Matthew from the shadows gathering around the building.
"Holy crap, Matthew, you scared the hell out of me!" I stammered, stuck between wanting to hit him and grateful for his presence. Matt was an old friend of mine from college, and always seemed to know when I was feeling out of sorts. Like now...
Grumbling, I fell into step with him as we headed towards the subway. "And what exactly am I late for? You know me; I am never late for anything..."
Whisky colored eyes twinkled at me as he smirked "Um, hello? Your birthday? Today? Remember? You promised me you would have dinner with me?"
Thinking back, I did remember the promise made weeks ago at a coffee shop on a weekend out. How could I have forgotten my own birthday?!
"Um, yeah, I remember"...I mumbled, "but I'm not ready to go anywhere!"
Matt threw an arm around me and gave me a bolstering hug. "I know, hon, and that's why I went and had Jerry get some stuff for you!"
Jerry was a mutual friend of ours from collage. He lived with his partner Gary not far from me, and was constantly urging me to go with him to pick out some newer clothes...more specifically, ANYTHING not work clothes.
"You didn't!"
"Oh, cherie, but I did...and you should have seeeen his eyes light up!" Matt was now snickering at the dismay on my face. Its not that Jerry had bad taste, quite the opposite...it's just that his personal quest since our freshman year has been to help me "girlie" up. Not only am I not a "girlie" person, but I refuse to compromise my comfort. If I can't fight, jump, run, and get down on the floor in it I refuse to wear it, simple as that.
Seeing the growing alarm in my eyes, Matt rushed to set me at ease.
"Hey, I made him swear upon his highlights that it would be comfortable and "you"."
Matt made small talk with me for the rest of the tube ride, making me laugh and forget the stress of the day. When we arrived at his apartment, he told me to have a seat of the sofa and he'd grab us some drinks.
Sighing, I sank into the sofa with delight. I swear this couch needed a warning sign on it..."Warning! This couch has its own gravity field! Sit at your own risk!"
Matt came in from the kitchen with the drinks and handed me an amaretto and diet coke, strong and sweet...perfection.
