Blurred Lines

by Naughty Aphrodite

  Each one had something to say about the other, the turmoil that went on in here was awful, Jenna thought. Only in this department for three months now, she barely could keep her cool. She clearly didn’t fit in here with her flashy clothes and promiscuous lifestyle and she was sure the bitches talked about her too.

  Trying to concentrate on the series of tax returns she needed to enter into the system, she gazed at the black clock centered on the wall above her as the hour hand tediously moved toward four o’clock. Why was it when you wanted to be anywhere but where you were, that life seemed to move at such a snail’s pace Jenna wondered. Tapping away at her monitor she couldn’t help but hear the groans of Ruth behind her as if to say could you move any slower those forms were due hours ago. Frankly, she didn’t give a rat’s house about that old battle ax or her pathetic rigid lifestyle. Just for spite Jenna finger typed each line into the system glancing at each item as she put it in just to make it look as if she were being accurate.

  On the far left-hand side of the desk, her cell phone lit up a neon blue indicating she must have a text message or a regular voicemail. Glancing over, she saw a white box in the center of the screen with Kristy’s number there. The tiny numbers on the screen said she had sent the message several hours ago. The poor reception in these old center city buildings with their tall steel beam construction were perfect blockers against cell phone signals. Nonchalantly sliding her finger across the screen, Kristy wrote in bold capital letters:

  MS. COYLE GAVE ME A HARD TIME THIS MORNING FOR BEING LATE. SHE HAS ME CLEANING THE BACK STORAGE CLOSET AND I’M ON THE SCHEDULE UNTIL 10:00 P.M. HELP!! WE NEED TO BE AT THE STUDIO AT 6:00 PM SHARP. WHAT WILL WE DO? I DON’T THINK THEY WILL LET YOU GET THEM CAUSE THEY’RE IN MY NAME.

  This would take a minute to think through the situation Jenna thought to herself.

  As the clock edged closer to 4:30 pm, the first group of people who were part of the early shift, Ruth being one of them, quickly paraded to the office door and piled into the array of gray elevators down the hall. Looking into the business tax file system, Jenna was pretty sure that most companies didn’t report their quarterly taxes by the fifteenth which normally isn’t a big deal but if the revenue office wanted to they could use this and impose heavy fines on the business causing them to owe triple the taxes.

  Glancing into the Parker Brothers profile sure enough in dark scarlet letters the words past due lit up the screen like a Christmas tree on Christmas Eve. Not only were they just past due, they hadn’t reported anything in like three months. Dreaming up her plot against Ms. Coyle, she was pretty positive after her conversation tonight that Kristy wouldn’t have any more troubles out of her. Ms. Coyle probably thought since retirement was around the corner that passing the buck to Kristy would make it Kristy’s problem when she got the promotion. Coyle never liked Kristy that much Jenna was sure of as she glanced through the company’s screens. Leaving Kristy as the scapegoat after promoting her would give her the bad rap, however, Jenna knew that the statute of limitations would still hold good old Ms. Coyle liable. Smiling to herself as she hit print she couldn’t wait till she got to the store tonight. Five o’clock couldn’t come soon enough.

  Chapter 5

  “Kristy why do you keep looking at your phone? We have customers and I need your help up here now.” Ms. Coyle roared from behind the counter.

  There were hardly any customers in the store at all. Just an elderly gentleman with a chocolate brown parka and baggy army green corduroys stood in the magazine aisle and a middle-aged woman with fluffy blonde hair, and dangling gold hoop earrings stood in the checkout lane just about to pay. Most businesses had already closed judging from the abandoned mall strip surrounding the bookstore. The sturdy windows of the store ricocheted back and forth almost ready to burst into thousands of pieces if the persistent gusts wouldn’t stop.

  “I need you to ring this woman up. Then organize these shelves over here. After that, I need the floor by the coffee shop swept. Oh and don’t forget to bring out the new best sellers and line them up here in the front. If that is not enough work, you can start entering these new titles on this list into the computer. I must go. I have a dinner engagement tonight.” Handing Kristy the sheet of paper with her to do list and the new titles she made feel like Cinderella.

  “Yes, ma’mm.” Kristy replied solemnly wondering how she ever got herself into such predicaments where she was always someone’s scapegoat.

  “Oh, Ms. Coyle I am so glad I caught you before you left.” Standing there in a snow white rabbit skin jacket and high black heels was her best friend Jenna.

  “Yes, ma’mm, how can I help you? Do I know you?” Ms. Coyle grimaced as if she just saw something revolting.

  “Oh, yes ma’mm. I am Jenna Anderson I am with the City of Philadelphia revenue department.” Putting out her hand to Ms. Coyle’s her ivory skin hands reminded Kristy of that of a porcelain china doll.

  Kristy wondered what Jenna was up to. Whatever it was, it was sure to be outlandish that was the worrisome part for her. Jenna could be downright devious when challenged to come to someone’s aid. When Alex Jordan a football player in their high school took pictures of Kristy in the shower after gym class Jenna made it her personal project to seduce him act like she was interested in him only to take his clothes and have him parade across the football field. As if this wasn’t bad enough, his stocky build stampeding across the field on an early January morning with temperatures below 0 he had to yell and tell everyone what he did. Kristy could still see his limp penis swinging between his legs as members of the student council and other kids jeered at him making fun of his small size. Jenna was in many ways more of a sister and Kirsty appreciated that a lot.

  “Oh, if you have questions about our bookkeeping you may call our central office which is located in King of Prussia. I’d be happy to get the number for you.”

  “Ms. Coyle, what our records found has your name on it. I think you might be interested in this. Now, I can discuss this here with you or maybe somewhere more private - it’s up to you.” Jenna stated flashing her eyelashes about as if she were some prominent royal figure that demanded respect and dignity.

  “I see. Very well then we may go to my office. Kristy, get to work you have your assignment. Do it!” Coyle barked as she always did when stressed and not wanting to be bothered.

  Watching as Jenna and Ms. Coyle disappeared behind the velvet silk curtain behind the front desk that separated her office from the rest of the store, Kristy’s heart plummeted into the pit of her stomach. Even this was a little beyond Jenna. She didn’t want her to use any of her powers with the Department of Revenue to get Ms. Coyle to back off on her. Such things could prove to be detrimental to her and Jenna. Neither one could afford to be out of work.

  Not even seconds later Ms. Coyle came out her white cheeks even more ghostly looking. It was as if she just found out she only had months left to live. Gone was the fire from her vivid gray eyes. Standing there in a dazed confusion she looked around the store seeming to be searching for something.

  “Kristy, you are relieved of your duties for tonight. Also, you have the next three weeks off fully paid. You need the time and I understand that now. I am sorry I have been so harsh on you. Go on and enjoy yourself.” Ms. Coyle spoke in this almost robotic tone as if she were given some script to read before a live audience.

  “But Ms. Coyle who is going to stay. You gave me the list of what to do...”

  “Did you hear Ms. Coyle, Kristy? Let’s go, hon. She has it don’t you Ms. Coyle?” Glowering at her as if to say you better keep your part of the bargain woman if you know what’s best Jenna smiled back at Kristy.

  Not wanting to rock this boat or opportunity Kristy got her jacket from the back room and glanced around the three-story shelves of books that made up Parker Brothers since 1965. From generation to generation this family-owned store has had the most success in the book, magazine and now DVD industry than any o
ther company in the area. Kristy had an eerie sense that this would be the last time she would see the sepia walls with the sky reaching ceilings. It was as if a huge part of her life was suddenly being ripped from her.

  Chapter 6

  Finally, after a week of ups and downs, Jenna and Kristy arrived at the dock of the Caribbean Cruise Line known as Paradise Vacations a subsidiary of the John and Hank show. That whole morning Kristy could see the look of despair on Jenna’s face. Never before did Kristy notice such extreme sadness in her best friend’s eyes. She didn’t even bother to put on makeup and her hair normally well done with just a perfect touch of hair spray was disheveled and out of place. For a moment Kristy felt as though she would be playing the role of counselor one that she wasn’t equipped to playing at all.

  The skies were pristine blue outside as a group of seagulls flapped their gray wings against the wispy clouds. Standing obediently in the place like a soldier about to embark on an important journey, the ship they were about to go on towered above the growing crowd. It was gorgeous too Kristy noted with its brilliant gold and blue designs and white wall washed surface. There were several stories of cabins she saw their tiny little windows pegged in each level so one could see the resplendent ocean as they traveled on their journey. Soon they would be free of this bitter cold place with nothing but sadness and on to a land of opportunity. Gorgeous men with ripped muscles and tanned skin would cater to their every need. The fantasies were boundless as Kristy sat back thinking how wonderful it would be to just get away from it all.

  “Son of a bitch!!” Jenna’s fist pounded the leather steering wheel, her face a bright crimson as a steady roll of tears streamed down her gaunt cheeks.

  “What is it, Jenna?” Kristy asked worried she was having some kind of breakdown. This was truly a Jenna Kristy never seen in all her years of knowing her.

  “The bastard broke up with me! He told me he loves me and then he comes out and says he was engaged to this chick in the DA’s office. Fucking asshole!!!” Jenna, the woman who could have anyone, was suddenly being dumped for another woman.

  “Who honey?”

  “Derek Jackson!”

  “Wait isn’t that the guy you were just friends with benefits with? I didn’t think you too cared about each other?”

  “We sort of had a hot rendezvous in the office last week and we both said we loved each other. He seems so sweet so compassionate a man who knows how to treat a lady right not like some slab of meat in a meat market. Fuck, I should have known better. Look at this:”

  Kristy grabbed Jenna’s cell phone. In bold large letters as if he was screaming at her, adding insult to injury, he wrote:

  LISTEN, I HAVE TO BE UPFRONT. I REALLY DID HAVE FEELINGS FOR YOU AND YES I DO LOVE YOU BUT I AM ABOUT TO MARRY KEISHA DOWN IN THE DA’S OFFICE. I WAS GETTING EVEN WITH HER BECAUSE SHE WAS DISHING ME THE LAST FEW WEEKS BUT THEN SHE TOLD ME SHE’S JUST BEEN REAL BUSY AS SHE IS GOING TO SCHOOL FULL TIME TOO. I GUESS I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER I KNOW SHE IS UNDER A LOT OF STRESS. BUT ME AND KEISHA BEEN THROUGH A LOT TOGETHER. I CAN’T MARRY YOU OR EVEN HAVE A RELATIONSHIP BUT IF YOU EVER WANT SOME BIG DICK YOU KNOW WHERE TO FIND ME, BABY. I LOVE THAT PUSSY OF YOURS. LOVE YOUR BIG DICK LOVE, DEREK.

  Kristy was appalled. She was so tempted to just get up and go over to Jenna’s office and find the jerk himself and tell him off but good.

  “He’s a real asshole using you while he has a woman he’s engaged to. How gross.” Sticking out her tongue Kristy flapped it about as if she were about to gag when she heard a harsh raspy knock on the window.

  There standing outside in a multicolored t-shirt and dark jeans was the fellow from the bookstore. His wavy beach blonde hair whipping around in the gusty winds was the man from the bookstore. She didn’t notice this before obviously distracted by the slave driver Coyle but he had cute dimples in his cheeks reminding Kristy of a little boy in second grade. Judging from his dashing smile and fancy dress, he looked like he could be well into his mid-thirties or older. Young guys just don’t dress or act this way these days Kristy thought amusingly to herself. Or at least the guys she knew.

  “Are you going to talk to that guy or what? If not, I sure will.” Jenna smiled her tears beginning to dry up as she saw new meat on the market.

  Rolling down her window smiling Kristy acknowledged the man from the store. Putting out her hand she couldn’t help but notice that he had perfectly trimmed nails as if he was one of these guys who ritually went to have manicures done. The thoughts of him possibly being gay gave her anxieties all the ammunition they needed. He must go home to a nice hunky dark haired man who calls him honey.

  “Hey, you’re the girl from that bookstore. How are you?” He was so pleasant as if he was trying to sell her some property in a foreign land she never heard of.

  “I am ok. How are you? I want to apologize about that day at my job. My boss is a bit pushy at times. She is a nice lady just wants things her way -- you know how that goes.”

  “Kristy, she is a fucking bitch. You know it. Hi, I’m Jenna and this girl from Parker Brother’s Bookstore is Kristy. You going on the cruise too?” Only Jenna knew how to take an already awkward moment and intensify it by ten Kristy thought angrily to herself. It was as if she had a degree in it or something.

  “Hi there. Nice to meet you both. I’m Garry Albright. I am going on the cruise too. I am traveling to St. Bart’s and then going on my yacht anchored off the island. Maybe you ladies can join me.”

  “We’ll let you know. Thanks for the invite, Garry. Nice to meet you now.”

  “Ok, I will look for you both on the cruise. See you soon ladies.”

  Punching her in the arm, Jenna made a harsh jab into Kristy’s arm as the cute man known as Garry Albright walked off both of them admiring his tight ass and sinewy tanned body. Kristy couldn’t believe that Jenna would punch her like that. Didn’t she just get over her terrible break up with Derek somebody? But then again, she was always on the prowl.

  “What was that for?” Kristy asked.

  “Girl, you will never get any dick acting like that. I am going to break you out of that cycle of Ms. Prim and shy. That shit is so fifties. He is hot.”

  “I know, isn’t he?” Kristy thinking soon enough Jenna will get her claws in him and have him all to herself.

  “C’mon let’s get this party started. I am so over Derek.”

  Chapter 7

  Garry watched from the deck as both girls walked up the long plank. Both were equally attractive. Decisions, decisions... he thought amusingly to himself as the biting wind nibbled at his exposed flesh. The quiet one had gorgeous deep blue eyes with brunette hair and a fair complexion while not too big in the breast department her friend had a rack on her that could make up for both of them along with her glossy olive toned skin and Jerri curl blonde hair. Admiring his new beauty queens, he knew for sure he would have them in his bed by the end of the cruise. Slowly his hard prick shot up through the crease of his jeans, its girth and hardness practically piercing through the sturdy material. Embarrassed he hoped no one noticed anything.

  “Hi. I just wanted to say I love the Christian books your company puts out.” An elderly woman with wispy silver hair and deeply wrinkled white skin stood next to Garry dressed in a black cloak.

  “Oh, thank you. I appreciate that. Let me give you a card so you may get a discount on your next order.” Quickly fumbling in his pants pocket hoping her old eyes didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary, Garry searched for one of those gold-trimmed discount cards he handed to his most loyal customers.

  “Oh, that is so kind of you, Mr. Albright. I truly appreciate that. I love the series about the young women who never got married and went to a Covenant and then dedicated her life to the Lord. It was so inspiring.” Garry couldn’t help but notice the woman’s slow speech almost as if she had suffered a major stroke.

  “Mother, are you bothering this nice man? I am so sorry about that, sir. She isn�
��t that well and you know, she kind of gets lost.” Appearing out of nowhere was this towering man in his mid-forties with sparkling white teeth and sunburnt cheeks.

  He had a flamboyant tone in his dialect. One that read yes I am gay and yes I really want your young muscular body in my bed tonight. Giving him that scanning look that men attracted to the same sex do, his wide open eyes centered on Garry’s enlarged manhood. He didn’t know why but he seemed to be a magnetic force sending alerts out to the homosexual community that he was available to be fucked. Garry didn’t hate the lifestyle, in fact, he had several close friends that were gay but he loved pussy more than any man on this boat did. He had experienced every type of sexual fantasy except having two women. That soon would be fixed he thought lustfully to himself.

  “Oh no, she wasn’t bothering me at all. In fact, we were just discussing how much she loves our new Christian line. It is a pilot program and I am so glad it is receiving a positive response. Here is the card I was looking for, ma’mm. Can’t find anything when I am looking for it. I need a nice young lady in my life to keep me organized.” Smiling he handed the card to the older lady.