I have been staying with my friend Dinah, and her husband Amos, for the last few nights as I waited for my movers to take their sweet ass time to deliver my things from Las Vegas.I probably should have just rented a truck myself, but moving fully on my own seemed like more of a 27-year-old me thing, not a 47-year-old me thing.
Skipping down the stairs, I greet the movers at my door.As they lug up the furniture, my friends and I unpack the moving boxes.With them helping me, it doesn’t take long to get my studio apartment into working order.
“Does any of this need to go down into your office?”Dinah asks, as I square up with the movers.
“No, I had nothing for an office in Vegas since I worked for a company.I had to buy everything for downstairs.”
“Yeah you did, boss-lady!”Alona shouts from the kitchen.
Once the movers leave, I insist my friends get back to their lives.
“You are both amazing.Thank you so much.”
“Monday is your first day, right?”Alona asks after she hugs me.
“Yeah.My employee starts that day, too.Eek.My employee.”I emphasize the last two words.
Dinah gives me a side squeeze.
“You are going to do amazing!You totally got this.Decades of experience are under your badass belt.And Bill said he thinks his old contracts will probably just continue with you, right?”
“Yeah.But that’s not a guarantee.”
“Well, fingers crossed.And we want to take you out for a celebration after your first day.How does that sound?We can just go to a place here on Main Street?”
“Oh my lord, I love you two.You’re making this whole move way less scary.”
Waving them off, I turn toward my new home.Anxiety and excitement play a game of tag in my belly as I take in a few deep breaths.
I am ready for this next adventure.
* * *
I only hired one employee before I moved out here.I wanted to get settled and have a better idea of what I will need to run my new business.My decision to move and ratchet up my career goals ended up being timed beautifully when I found Bill’s ad about selling his landscaping business.Something really must have been in the stars.I teased Alona that she had cast a spell in my favor and she only shrugged, not saying I was wrong.
A knock on my office door reveals my new employee, Chase, with a work order in his hand.
“Sorry, ma’am, but the guys are here to install the shop sign.”
“Thank you, Chase!And, seriously, call me Abigail.Or Abby.I beg you.”I give him a smile, which appears to help release some tension from his shoulders.
Chase gives me a sheepish grin as he hands me the work order.The man is in his mid-30s, but comes off younger to me.But his references were amazing and so far I am really impressed by his work ethic.
I walk out to greet the workmen.We discuss the placement of my business sign before they get to work.
I can’t help but linger on the sidewalk, watching them.Seeing them hang Bellrose Landscaping over my front door, and under my new home, fills me with pride.It took me years to save enough to start a business of my own.I worked my butt off in Vegas for my old company, which was not always easy.My boss, and a few of the supervisors, were typical macho dudes who didn’t always welcome input from the women staff.But I never gave up and eventually became a trusted company employee.
When the sign is up, I thank the workmen and stare at it for a bit.Then I take a few selfies to post on social media.I may be a bit too excited, but I am leaning into it.
As soon as I return to my desk, my phone buzzes with a text from Dinah.
6 at the bar down the street?
You’re sweet.And OK, but just one drink.I need to be clear-headed tomorrow.
I just saw your post!I love how your logo came out.Making the rose look like Ravenhart Mountain was a brilliant idea.
Before I reply, Chase knocks on my door.
