“Thanks.” I’d elaborate, but Eva looks angrier than ever, so I opt for a pat on his shoulder.
“Okay, fine. All I wanted to say…” She struggles for words which don’t contain an expletive or a threat. She clears the rasp from her voice, stalling for a moment, before continuing. “All I wanted to say is if you think you’re still going to ride my coattails to the top, you’re sorely mistaken. I won’t be taking you anywhere with me, and when I’m able you’ll be out the door.”
So she couldn’t resist the threat, but A-plus for effort.
“We’ll see.” I choose to remain aloof to hold onto my control, and hopefully further unglue her.
Jason and I turn to walk away before she adds anything else incriminating.
When we’re outside our adjoining offices, and out of Eva’s earshot, Jason finally asks what he must be burning to know. “What the fuck was that all about, dude?”
“I think it was the last straw against her.”
“What does that mean? What’s going on? You have to tell me.” His eyes are determined.
“Okay, I’ll tell you, but you have to promise to keep it quiet.” I trust him despite the fact he shouldn’t trust me anymore.
“Cross my heart.” He even makes the motion.
“Are we thirteen-year-old girls?” I can’t help it, I crack up at his ridiculous choice of phrase. As usual, he can break tension when it’s needed. He nods for me to continue with a smirk on his face. “Well, Eva forced me to take her out to dinner Monday night, and when I wouldn’t sleep with her afterward she threw a fit. She still hasn’t let it go, and today’s performance was embarrassing.”
“Incredibly. Did she seriously just do all of that over a rejection?” Jason doesn’t look as if he’s quite ready to believe my explanation, but when I don’t offer another he’s eventually convinced. “Wow.”
“She’s one fucked-up cookie.”
“Shit.” Jase still looks dazed by the information, but then realizes one last thing before we part ways to our own desks. “You sure have a way with women, man. Everyone wants to get in your pants.”
I bark out one burst of laughter.
Oh little do you know, Jason, how encompassing the word everyone is.
****
Forty-five minutes after the end of the meeting (fifteen after Eva was supposed to begin her meeting with Frank) a company-wide email goes out, but I think someone hit send too soon, because the entire scene hasn’t finished playing out yet.
I open my email but only have time to read the subject before I hear a lot of yelling near the elevator. It never hurts to dream, and today my dreams are coming true. Eva has a box of her possessions next to her heels on the floor; her face is more flushed than I’ve ever seen it, even when she was plastered and pissed off on Monday night.
“Idiots. You’re going to regret this!”
“Eva, please save some dignity. You just weren’t the right fit for us.” Frank is trying to be diplomatic, but I bet he’s struggling to keep a hold on his temper. I know I would be.
“Oh, fuck off, Frankie. You ignorant assholes have no idea what you’re losing. I could’ve doubled this company’s profits. Expanded. Who knows what else.” Eva’s head is shaking harder as her volume increases, and I think she might be on the verge of a heart attack or maybe an aneurism.
Please let it be an aneurism.
Frank steps around her to push the down button for the elevator. Once he steps back to face Eva—I’m surprised he put his back to her—he speaks as calmly as before. “I’m sorry you’re taking this so personal. We appreciate all you’ve done for us. We wish you the best and much success in your future. That future just won’t be with us.” I have to give it to Frank; his performance is amazing.
I wish I could clap.
By now almost everyone in the office is peering at the scene unfolding. I’ve never seen so many curious eyes at once and all pointed in the same direction. Jason and I are both standing in our doorways, his eyes as animated as mine.
“You’re going to be crawling on your hands and knees in a week’s time begging me to come back.” Wow, she’s full of herself. I wish I could yell that no one will miss her.
“I assure you, our decision is final.” Frank’s tone takes on a harsher edge. He had to get fed up eventually.
“Go fuck yourself.” The doors to the death trap open and Eva kicks her box inside. Before entering she flips Frank, and everyone watching, her perfectly manicured middle finger. She sputters out one final, and classy, “Fuck you all. Cocksucking motherfuckers.”
As the doors close to take Eva down to the lobby one last time, Frank finally raises his voice. “I’m incredibly sorry for her inappropriate behavior. Anyone who’d like lunch on management tomorrow afternoon, please help yourself to Delta’s. If you show them your badge your meal will be on our tab. But for now let’s finish out this work day with more class than we were just shown, shall we?” Chuckles go around and Frank smiles before strolling back to his office. He took her outburst in stride.
“Holy shit, did that just happen?” Jason’s face is priceless.
“Yes, sir, it just did.”
When I sit back in my chair I take a moment to read the entire email now since Eva’s wrath isn’t a distraction.
From: Management
To: Everyone
Subject: Supervisory position opening
To Eva’s team,
Eva will no longer be working with us, starting immediately. The position is now open. For the time being Dan has graciously agreed to fill both his and her place for the interim period. We will begin interviews on Monday. If you’d like to be considered please submit your updated resumes to Dan by Friday evening.
Sincerely,
Management
Thank you, management.
Job well done, Frank. Well done, Eva, for digging your own grave. And while I give out congratulations, well done me for helping her along.
My computer chirps again as I receive an email from Jason.
From: Jason Moore
To: Aidan Sheppard
Subject: Re: Supervisory Position opening
I’m going to try for it. Do you think I have a shot? Are you going to apply too?
Cheers,
Jase
I smile. With what I know is going to happen to Jason in the future he definitely deserves a good thing now. Or at least hope for a good thing. A baby is great and all, for him at least, but the happiness won’t last long when he realizes he has to change shitty diapers alone after Mel leaves.
From: Aidan Sheppard
To: Jason Moore
Subject: Re: Re: Supervisory Position opening
Hell yes I’m going to apply. May the best man win. I’m actually rooting for both of us. Co-supervisors?
Sincerely,
Aid
I can hear Jason’s laughter in response to his opening of my email.
May the best man win.
I’ve never been in a better mood leaving work than I am right now. Wednesdays might only mean the week is half over, but this one ushers in an amazing second half. Eva’s ass is gone. For good. I never thought this happy day would come so soon.
Dan even cornered me before leaving to check in. He’d asked if I was okay. He suggested with Eva gone hopefully I’d be more comfortable at work. He hinted it added to the list of missteps which sent her packing. And he even thanked me for being so candid with him. “The harassment’s done,” he’d added, even offering for the company to replace my blazer she ripped.
Score.
It’s time for a celebration. Time for a trip to the grocery store for steak and beer.
TV, good eats, booze, and room to put my feet up should make for a relaxing night. The drive to the store goes quicker than the one home from work, and in minutes I’m inside the warm building with a basket in tow.
Focused, I make a beeline for the butcher, wanting something red, something thick, something juicy, large. I go for
the biggest single sirloin available, tossing it into my basket with a satisfied feeling building inside. Not much could make this already great day better than a fat steak on the grill.
After I’ve grabbed the meat, I head to my next of three destinations in the store. I’m out of dry rub, and that’s a necessity. I have the charcoal and grilling provisions, so after this it’s just beer.
In the spice isle I feel out of place next to a tiny white-haired woman with more wrinkles than years, I’m sure. She reaches for cinnamon and vanilla extract, and then nudges past me down the aisle. Her little voice sounds odd as she mumbles, “Dick. Shoulda helped me reach for the vanilla.” But even her misplaced anger can’t bring me down. Instead it makes me laugh. I throw the rub into my basket on top of the steak, heading to the back where the beer sits on the shelf.
As I reach for a twelve-pack, I hear a familiar female voice say my name. I know it, but I can’t place it.
“Hey, stranger.” Bee stands next to me, reaching for her own wine coolers.
“That’s a chick’s drink.” This clearly isn’t what she expected as her laughter comes out in a burst. If she had had anything in her mouth it would be on the floor.
“Well I’m a chick, Aidan, or am I too fat these days to tell?” Whoa. I know better than to call any woman fat or even hint at it out loud. Can’t even agree, either. Bee doesn’t look offended, though.
“Have a hot date tonight?” Better to just change the subject.
“Yep. I have a date with the entire cast of my favorite shows. Them and my couch. Oh, and these drinks.” She holds up her coolers in a sort of salute before adding them to her half-full basket. “And apparently I’m just a big slut juggling so many dates.”
Now it’s my turn to belch out surprised laughter.
We start walking toward the checkout lanes. After getting my laughter under control, I respond with the only thing that comes to mind. “Oh my god, you’re such a girl.”
“That’s what I keep telling you.” I’m incredibly shocked. The more I’m around Bee, the more I seem to like her. She may not be the best-looking woman I’ve ever met, but she’s fun.
“I know you turned me down before, but any chance you’d like to get together Friday? Without the Moore bullies?” I ask. Holy shit. I can’t believe I just asked her out. It kind of popped out of my mouth before my brain knew what was happening.
Bee’s smile strains a little before falling away. “Aidan…I—I don’t know.”
“I’m really not your type, huh?” It shouldn’t bother me.
“That’s not necessarily it. I’m not your type.”
“I’m just asking you to hang out. No pressure. You have full control of the evening.” Why am I so adamant about this? If she says no again I’ll just drop it.
She is good company, though.
We enter the same checkout lane, our conversation on pause while the pimply faced adolescent boy moves way too slow. Isn’t he getting paid to do this? At the end of the conveyer we’re each on one side, bagging our items. Bee hasn’t answered yet, so despite myself I add, “Well?”
“Okay fine, but you asked for it. Come over to my place Friday night, and bring comfortable clothes. I’ll cook, you bring the drinks.”
“Deal.” Somehow my plans with Bee give my mood an additional boost.
Go fucking figure.
We leave the store and both start walking to our cars on opposite ends of the parking lot, after waving goodbye. My heartbeat picks up when I realize I have no idea where she lives. “Hey, I need your address.” I shout loud enough for her to hear.
“Get it from Jason.” Again she waves, getting into her car. I finish the brief walk to my own, and after buckling up I see she’s already gone.
As I drive the few minutes home, I think about Bee. She gave me a test. I’m smart enough to know that. She probably figured if I didn’t actually want to get together I could feign ignorance, saying I forgot to get her address or couldn’t get ahold of it. She’s thinking if I want to see her then I have to put in a little bit of effort. Well, okay then. I’ll pass the test.
I pull out my phone when I get home to send a message to Jason.
I type before I throw charcoal into the grill. Hey Jase, can I get Bee’s address? And I hit send.
After the steak is on and coated with seasoning, I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket.
Jason’s reply is curious, but he can wait until tomorrow for any answers. Why?! She’s a block and a half down from us. 1518. Is it a date?? He’s probably as shocked at my interest as I am, but I never answer his question, instead pocketing my phone again.
****
Late Friday afternoon, I realize how little I’ve thought about my next plan. Some unsuspecting hitchhiker awaits me, and I’ve neglected considering her at all in the last couple of days. I’ve been preoccupied with Amelia, Eva, and now Bee too. The women in my life are such a handful.
On top of the estrogen to consider, I’ve gotten my resume together to apply, along with half of my department, for Eva’s vacated position. I put it in Dan’s inbox five minutes ago, and I noticed mine went on top of Jason’s. Hopefully the competition isn’t a problem. I don’t anticipate it will be, but I guess you just never know. Money can do weird things to friendships. Only time will tell.
“Want to go downstairs for coffee? I need a break.”
Jason seems all too eager to oblige. Seems he can’t wait for the weekend to start, either.
“Yes, please.” He nearly jumps from behind his desk, bounding toward me. “My turn to buy?”
“I think so. Don’t care, though. I just need the pick-me-up.” After an eventful week, and somewhat sleepless nights, the statement couldn’t be truer. I’ve lain awake thinking about Amelia’s body, all of Eva’s shit, and Bee’s jokes.
“Me too. This day is just dragging its ass, isn’t it?”
“Perfectly put.” I wonder what’s making Jason as run-down as me. I don’t want to think he’s up all hours of the night playing games under the sheets with Mel. I know it’s irrational, since she’s his wife and all, but now that our arrangement is agreed upon I’m the only one I want to picture having sex with her. Actually, I haven’t heard from her since I told her my answer. She just replied, Good. Wait for me to arrange. And so I’m still waiting, days later.
Jason orders and pays in the lobby, and we head back up for the hour left until the weekend officially starts. As we move up slowly, I add a to-do on my checklist for this weekend. After tonight with Bee, I’ll put more thought into the hitchhiker. So far it’s only an idea, and it needs more planning before execution (pun intended).
“So, I haven’t had a chance to ask about your date with Bee.”
Damn, I thought he’d forgotten. Jason makes the statement to the space in front of him as he looks straight ahead, walking from the elevator to our offices.
“I ran into her Wednesday night, and I asked her. So we’re hanging out. That’s all.” I shrug. There’s nothing else to say, so I stop. I felt like asking her, so I asked. I keep my eyesight forward as well.
“I’m just surprised is all.” We reach our doors and stand outside to finish our conversation. I have no idea why, but his shock offends me.
Why should he be surprised I want to go out with her? Fuck. Even I was surprised at my own choice, so Jason should be allowed the same reaction. When I first met her, I never thought I’d be going to her house, either.
“Yeah, I know. Turns out, she’s just a fun person to be around. Don’t worry, we won’t be having sex.” I lean against the doorframe, relaxed. Jason’s eyebrows shoot up his forehead, comically and quickly, when I inform him there are no plans to jump to the physical with Bee.
“What will you even be doing then? It’s you. You’re going to her house…” Jason just trails off, waiting for me to fill in the blanks.
“Actually, I have no idea. She’s making dinner, and I’m bringing beer. That’s all I know. Oh, and she told me to bring comfo
rtable clothes…no idea why. I’m sure I’ll find out.”
“No sex? Just hanging out. In comfortable clothes…”
Jason looks doubtful, and I can’t blame him. I never wait with women to have sex since there’s never any intention of forming a relationship. And I don’t have female friends, either. This is definitely a new one for me.
“You got it.” Tired of the inquisition, I start to turn to go to my desk, but Jase interrupts with more curiosity.
Enough, man.
“I want to hear about it on Sunday. My place for football?” His tone is hopeful.
“Sure, but I’m only watching the noon game.” Yet another entire Sunday spent in front of a television. I can’t deal with that. Not this weekend. I love football, but I’m just not in the mood. Plus I have such little desire to watch Mel and Jason interacting as a couple right in front of me.
“Why, going out with Bee again?” Now Jason’s trying to rile me up. He jabs toward me with his elbow, yet I don’t let it get to me. It’ll never work on me as well as it does on him.
“No. I just have shit to do this weekend, and tonight’s accounted for. My house is a fucking mess. It’s been forever since I cleaned. Unless you want to be my maid? Then I’ll stay longer.”
I raise my coffee, taking a sip. It’s beautifully rich and will get me through to the weekend. Jason hates cleaning, so I know to him it’s a valid excuse, but what I need is time alone to think about my next playdate.
“Uh, not a chance. One game it is.” Jason finally drops the conversation, letting me finish a little work before heading home.
I have no idea why I’m nervous, but I can’t get myself to knock or ring Bee’s bell. I’ve been standing here for a while. I don’t know how many minutes have passed. I never get nervous anymore. I’m a grown man. This is stupid. I don’t want it to be awkward. I want…I don’t know what I want. I just don’t want this evening to go poorly.
Nothing but Darkness Page 15
