Start working

I’ve worked this job long enough that I can almost fully autopilot, which is good because my mind was racing.

“Fuck fuck fuck” I screamed in my mind.

As I quietly swept the space, not letting any worry or irritation show on my face. The rearrangements of the storefront long since done and lack of customers meant all I could do was tidy..

‘I’ve got to get Breanna back. Gertrude said Ms Cunningham had purchased the Victorian set…”

I looked up with a start and discovered it was 12:07. I was already into my lunch break.

I let Gertrude know and I started walking towards the convenience store, having forgotten to pack a lunch.

Walking into the store I get maybe three steps in when I hear “Hey there! Didn’t you get my message?”

I blink up and see Amara doing much what I was earlier, sweeping the floors as the space was quiet quiet.

Her smile at me is wide and infectious. I smile myself then realize her question.

“You left me a message” She lifts a well shaped eyebrow above her amber eyes, then I remember the unknown number and the voicemail I haven’t listened to yet.

“I’m pretty sure I had your number right, from the other day when we filed that report..”

“Yeah, you did” I said, feeling sheepish just standing there. “I didn’t recognize the number so I didn’t answer. Haven’t had a chance to hear the message yet”.

Her mouth formed a tiny ‘o’, the dark shade of lipstick she wears is subtle, only a little darker than her natural complexion.

‘Well.. You might want to listen to it’ she said cryptically and turned to keep sweeping.

A little dumbfounded, I decide the best thing to do is grab what I came for while I think.

‘Maybe I can listen to it now, at the end of the store..’ I think to myself as I move towards the sandwiches and debate the risks of having a convenience store sandwich. I look at the choices.

Egg salad. Tuna. Pepperoni.

Zero chance on the first two. Looking at the pepperoni I am doubtful that the bread is supposed to be a light grey..

I open up my voicemail and put my phone to my ear.

“Hey, it’s Amara. I got your number the other day when you helped me with that guy.’ I could hear the slight touch of her accent coming out “‘ Yesterday was.. a lot and I don’t just mean that guy. I kinda need to blow off some steam. ‘ there was a pause. Then after a few breaths

‘Since your day didn’t go as planned either I wanted to know if you did too..”

Then she gave me an address and told me to meet at 9:30 if I wanted to