Human Resources: The Intern, Kaylee, Part 4
"Why me?" Kaylee asked as she talked to Natasha on the phone. It was only three and a half weeks before her internship ended. Natasha had called her for her decision, since she had to make flight and hotel arrangements. Kaylee had made up her mind but just wanted to be sure. Ms. Bostwick's advice had made so much sense to her... and then with Camilla's behavior, that didn't look like an option any more. So, it was go back home and finish college in her small town... or go to LA and learn with an exciting new adventure.
"Let's just say... when I was nineteen an older woman took me under her wing and helped me," Natasha said. "She mentored me and gave me a place to stay, helped me learn about running a business and helped me learn about my sexuality. Her name was Michelle Pruit. I've been working with the Firm ever since. I've never tried to mentor anyone before, but... there's just something about you that reminds me of myself. So... I just... I just want to be that person for you."
"Wow," Kaylee said softly. She was amazed. "What's the next step then?"
"Well, we'll fly you out to LA to live with me," Natasha answered. "My house is plenty big enough for the both of us. And you'll absolutely love the swimming pool. Then, we'll get you in to UCLA, maybe in the fall semester. And, you'll work for me as my personal assistant. Does that sound ok?"
Kaylee was overwhelmed. "Yeah... that sounds... more than ok." She laughed.
"Ok, then. I'll make all the arrangements."
*****
Kaylee called her parents on July 26th, with just three weeks left of her internship, to finally talk to them about her desire and offer to finish her college degree in California. And going to live in LA with a roommate... a woman... an older, successful woman. They were shocked, as expected, wanting to know what happened that caused this major change in her plans.
"I don't understand," he Dad said. "Why do you want to do this again? What's wrong with staying at Harris-Stowe?"
"Nothing's wrong with it," Kaylee said. "It's just... I met this woman at work and she's successful and all... and she's agreed to... you know... mentor me."
"What does she do, honey?" her Mom asked.
"She's a business woman," Kaylee said, wanting to keep the whole porn-thing out of the conversation. "She creates and sells different health and beauty items, like perfume. That's what she was doing at the Firm, creating an ad for her new perfume. She's like thirty-two and was completely self-made. She started when she was my age and was mentored by an older woman in the same way she wants to mentor me. She's really an inspiration. I think she can teach me a lot."
"UCLA? We can't afford schools like that out there, Kaylee... how are you going to pay for that?" her Dad asked. "And what about rent and food? You're going to have to get a job."
"That's going to make everything harder," her Mom added.
"Ms. Canyon has said she'd help with all that," Kaylee said. "She said I could stay at her house. She even said I'd work for her. If nothing else, I'll certainly learn a lot about business. It'll be a great thing to put on my resume for a job in advertising."
"I'm not so sure what this woman... what's her name?... Ms. Canyon?... what she gets out of all this," her Mom said. "It sounds shady to me. She's not like... what do they call them?... one of those traffickers?"
"It's not shady," Kaylee said, a little frustrated. "Oh my God. I've met her and people at the Firm know all about her, too. She's the real deal."
"You seriously want to do this?" her Dad asked, realizing that Kaylee had made the decision already. She was just letting them know what it was. In a way, he was a little impressed. When she left to start her internship she wasn't mature enough to make a decision like that yet. The short, three-month internship had done a world of good for her, in that sense at least.
"Yes," Kaylee said excitedly. "I really want to do this. It's an incredible opportunity. And I've thought about it for like a month now."
"Ok," her Dad said softly.
"When will you come home next?" her Mom asked.
"I'm not sure," Kaylee said, honestly. "Hopefully I can come home before I get too settled in out there. I'll call you and let you know what's going on. Maybe I can come home over the holidays."
Her Mom sniffled. Kaylee knew she was crying. She missed her. "Please do. We love you."
"I love you, too," she said. "Thank you for being so supportive."
"Well... you are our favorite oldest daughter," her Dad said, repeating an oft-told family joke.
"Funny, Dad," Kaylee said, giggling.
"Call us before you leave, ok?" her Mom sniffled.
"I will. Love you!" Kaylee kissed into the phone and then disconnected the call.
"Well... that was easier than I expected," Kaylee said to herself. She was happy that everything was finally settled. Natasha had called just a few days ago to get Kaylee's decision, so now she'd call her back and confirm that everything was a go... then Natasha could arrange for the flight and everything. She danced in her bedroom, twirling with excitement.
*****
"Emily?" Nicole Patterson asked, knocking on her door and standing in the entryway. It was Tuesday at 3:30pm, Kaylee's last week at the Firm, and Kaylee was sitting in Ms. Bostwick's office waiting for Ms. Patterson to pick her up. She slid her phone into her purse and stood. She was dressed in a blue, form-fitting cotton dress, with pale-blue hose and dark blue high heels. And for this little adventure, she chose to wear no lingerie... no bra and no panties.
"Nicole!" Emily smiled. "Come in. Kaylee is all ready to go."
"Thank you for letting me borrow your intern," Nicole said, smiling at both of the women in front of her. She was a little excited, but a little embarrassed, too. She didn't use the interns for her pleasure very often. And her use now was a little unconventional.
"Oh, no problem at all," Emily smiled, waving her hand as if to say it was silly to even think it was a problem. "It's her last week and you deserve to spend a little time with her. It's your anniversary today, right?"
"Yeah... our thirtieth, if you can believe it."
"Well, I hope you have a great time," Emily smiled.
"Thank you," Nicole smile back. "I'm sure we will." She looked at Kaylee, appreciating the petite, young woman in front of her. She always did have a thing for very petite women like Kaylee. There was just something about them that excited her. "Are you ready to go?"
"Yes, ma'am," Kaylee said.
Nicole led Kaylee down the hall to the elevators and, as the door closed, Kaylee took her trembling hand.
"I'm shaking," Nicole giggled. "I'm sorry. I'm not even sure why."