Hi - this is the story how 3 days after my wedding I became black owned!
My name is Julie. We live in a small city (or really big town), and I was with my boyfriend Jon since high school. I was a cheerleader, and he was on the football team and, in a city likes ours that's what was expected - for life.
I was quite tiny 5'1" 105 pounds very flat chested but huge nipples, long blond hair and a great shape although 29AA 22 34. I was completely smooth and really cute.
Jon was a football player - 6'2 210 pounds muscled and dark wavy hair.
As I had graduated high school Jon was finishing College. He had started a job as a sales rep for an office supply company 6 weeks before we married and had taken on several big accounts in the short period of time. He had already received a bonus. I was just finishing school, and we had agreed that we would not marry until I finished, and he graduated and that meant this weekend we would be married.
I had found a job as a receptionist for a lawyer downtown and started work Tuesday - which only gave us Sunday and Monday after the wedding. For Jon, he only had Sunday! We decided we'd wait 6 months for our honeymoon.
Our wedding was lovely - a little chapel, 60 guests, a nice dinner - but, as with weddings, we were exhausted afterwards and simply fell asleep on our first night when we got back to our apartment. The next day there was a brunch with out-of-town friends and then gift opening at my parents with dinner and we had fallen asleep again on Sunday night. Monday, Jon was off to work, and I had a day to tidy before starting work the next day.
I was excited to start work. I had worked in a small gift shop through school, but this was my first adult job. I had taken business courses in high school and certainly could answer the phone and file.
The law office only had one lawyer - Damon Boyd. Mr. Boyd had been a lawyer for 30 years and specialized in human resources - half case work and half research. He was used as an expert witness and conference speaker across the US. Mr. Boyd's parents had come from Ghana, and he was very dark black, taller than Jon at 6'4 and a very solid 280 pounds. He was imposing with a bald head and always impeccably dressed in magnificent jewelry.
I had purchased 5 days which I thought I could alternate. Black, blue, grey, white and red. They were all simply cut - sleeveless, a somewhat deep V-neck, mid thigh and they were a form fitting stretch fabric. I had also purchased 5 pairs of heels all 5-inch heels and the same number of bras, stocking, garters. I felt these good purchases would see me through a year and set a good appearance.
When I arrived at the office Mr. Boyd was in his office on the phone - I sat at the front desk and nothing much happened until he came out 20 minutes later.
Julie, follow me - here is our small kitchen - I like dark coffee, black and I like a fresh cup at 9 am 10 am and 11 am everyday. There was not even good morning or an acknowledgement that I had been married.
He then said now let's go back to your desk.
He showed me the two-line phone and said you simply say Boyd Law Office and write down every message - you write down everything they say - name, phone number, email address and ANYTHING they say about their case. These are records for me Julie. This is your job can you do this?
I said, "Yes Mr. Boyd," and he disappeared until 12:30.
Julie, " You are entitled to an hour for lunch, you can stay at your desk, go for a walk, whatever you feel is necessary - but my law I must give you an hour."
" O Mr. Boyd, I feel I should stay as there is only me and the phone may ring," I said," I don't mind taking care of things even during lunch hours."
"That's very good Julie, which is the kind of attention to detail I like, this may work well." he said as he left again.
Just after 2 pm Mr. Boyd came out - " Julie, tomorrow, we leave for Chicago I am speaking at a conference and we'll be gone tomorrow night and Thursday night. I will pick you up for the airport at 8:15 am at your apartment."
" Mr. Boyd, I um well, I didn't know about this, and I didn't know about travelling and I have just started and....." I stammered.
"Julie, who will take care of my presentations, make sure book tables are ready, keep me on time for meetings and receptions? That is, you Julie. Is this going to be an issue?" he asked.
" Well, no Sir I will pack tonight, I've just not done this before," I replied.
" I know this is our first trip; I have the files prepared and the schedules ready so that you will learn this trip and will be prepared for future ones. Now 8:15 am tomorrow morning."
I left the office at 5 pm and walked home - it was only 12 minutes. I started dinner and Jon arrived just before 6 o'clock.
He came into the kitchen after changing and asked, " Julie, why is your suitcase on the bed?"
"O my God Jon - Mr. Boyd is speaking at a conference in Chicago and expects me to go and deal with his schedule and presentations. It is tomorrow and we'll be back Friday just two nights."
"You're going away," John said a bit depressed," You didn't tell me about this part of the job."
" Jon no one was more surprised than me!!!!!!!! I had no idea and was shocked. But jobs are hard to get, and I can keep this and look for another!" I reassured him.
I spent hours packing, making sure everything was just right - dresses, shoes, jewelry, makeup, I just didn't know what I would need.
True to his work, Mr. Boyd pulled up in a limo Wednesday 5 am morning precisely at 8:15 am. I had decided to wear the red dress with navy heels and pale pink stockings, garter and bra. I wore simple silver hoops and a tiny silver bracelet.
As I got in the car my dress slid up exposing the lace top of my stocking. As I settled Mr. Boyd said, " good morning, Julie, I must say you look lovely and professional. I appreciate you coming and being away from home and I know how weekly travel can sometimes be exhausting but I think you will find it interesting, challenging and certainly personally fulfilling."
I was so stunned he had spoken; he had complimented me, and he said we travel WEEKLY! I need to take this all in and really re-think this job! So much for answering the phone.
With that Mr. Boyd handed me a cell phone - here Julie it is connected to the office, and you'll be able to track calls while we are away and record in your journal."
I thought I could have stayed in the office and done that! But just smiled.
Our flight was uneventful as Mr. Boyd did work and I kept checking the schedule and files over and over. When we arrived at the hotel Mr. Boyd checked us in, and I heard the desk clerk say and here are your two room keys and then we set off with the bellboy for our rooms.
Jason the bellboy explained we had been upgraded to the Executive Floor where there was a lounge and sweeping views of the city and a special concierge to take care of anything we might require.
The bellboy unlocked the room, and I was immediately blown away by the floor to ceiling windows and the Chicago skyline below - I went to the window and was mesmerized.
My thoughts were only interrupted by Mr. Boyd saying, " Julie, Julie hello."
I turned and looked and he continued," I am so sorry about this, your predecessor cancelled her room which was of course your room and now the hotel is sold out." he explained," I will see what I can do with cancellations but at worst I will sleep on the sofa, with the greatest apology Julie."
It was just gone 4 pm and the cocktail reception was from 5 to 7. Mr. Boyd explained he had some texts and emails to return, and we could leave for drinks around 5:20 if that worked. I told him I could shower first and then while he was showering, I could change in the bedroom, and we could have a system.
I decided to have a bath and listened to Mr. Boyd on his calls. He certainly knew the law and so many people asked for his advice and counsel.
After my bath and styling my hair and retouching my makeup I wrapped myself in a hotel robe and came out, " All finished Mr. Boyd if you'd like to freshen up."
I had brought a dress for both Wednesday night and Thursday night and decided since this was cocktails, I would wear the white lace mini dress that has a tiny camisole underneath. It has small cap sleeves and a deep scoop neckline. I decided that with my tiny flat breasts the dress which fit so tight to my body didn't require a bra, but I did wear panties, a garter and stockings in white with silver 7-inch heels and a small silver clutch. Without a bra my hard young nipples gave a glow under the sheer white fabric but in cocktail lounge lighting I felt would not be so noticeable.
Mr. Boyd had showered and changed in the bathroom and came out wearing an exceptional form fitting black Italian suit that showed off his height and build and a white shirt with no tie that exposed a thick gold chain underneath.
As he came out, I was standing in the window - " Julie?" he asked, and I turned - I thought his eyes would fall out.
"Julie, now this is what I call impressive and professional," he said," you look amazing, and you will represent the level of knowledge and expertise people expect from me and my office, I am quite please Julie, quite pleased."
We went to the cocktail reception and Mr. Boyd introduced me to many other lawyers - I would say 90% of the guests were men. And you could tell they were rich, educated and experienced. Most were mature and they all seemed to know my new boss and his authority of his subject matter.
Just before 7 Mr. Boyd took my arm and said," Julie we need to leave before this end, and I have made dinner reservations for us." We went to the hotel dining room where we were seated in a luxurious corner booth near the back of the restaurant. I had never been in such a place - it was clearly extremely expensive and very exclusive.
I ordered a small salad to start with chicken as my dinner while Mr. Boyd ordered oysters and steak for dinner. He also ordered a bottle of French red wine.
" Julie, this is the first moment since you started yesterday that we have had time to speak and I would like to take time now to get to know you so that we can work better together but also to get to know you personally if you are comfortable with that," he explained.