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I’m working today, which is nice. It should keep me distracted. I look at the clock realizing if I don’t leave in the next few minutes, I will be late for work.With my AirPods in and music blasting, I breathe the cool autumn air as I walk to the bus stop.
I reach the corner, ready to cross. My bus should be here any minute. There are a few people waiting with me. Some I’ve noticed before. It feels normal. People are going to work living their life. The light turns red, and the walking sign comes up. Just in time because I see the bus. I take a few steps into the street when a car speeds towards me. I’m almost knocked off my feet. I’m unstable but find my footing. The car misses me.
“Are you ok, miss?” A woman asks.
“Unbelievable. There is no respect anymore.” Another person says.
“I saw it. The car was trying to hit you.” A man says as I try to steady myself.
“Someone, call nine-one-one,” another voice chimes.
“I’m fine, thank you. I should have been more careful. I didn’t see the car coming.” I blink a few times, trying to make sense of things.
“The car was trying to run you over. I saw it.” Someone adds.
Everyone has crowded around me, making me feel uncomfortable. I say thank you for their concerns and keep moving. I cross the street only to realize I’ve missed my bus. I have no choice but to take a cab. I wave one down, and it stops. Inside I give the driver the address. I sit back and try to settle my nerves. Am I so distracted that I can’t even cross the street? Was that Fiona driving the car? Jesus, I am beginning to lose it. All this drama is making me see things. Of course it wasn’t her. She doesn’t seem the type to dirty her own hands. I touch my belly. All that matters is that my baby and I are fine.
“Thank you,” I tell the driver as I hand him the money.
From outside the boutique, I see several customers. I guess it’s going to be one of those days. I open the door, and Maddie looks like a chicken without a head. I walk to the back and drop my things in my locker. When I walk back to the floor, Maddie releases a breath of exhaustion.
“Where do you want me?” I greet.
“Can you take the client to the dresser room? I am still working with this one.”
“Where is Ally?”
“Fired if I had my way.” I shake my head and walk to the dressing rooms.
By the time I’m done with the client, almost an hour passes. I bag her purchases. I clear the dressing room and put everything away.
“You are a lifesaver,” Maddie says.
“I wouldn’t say all of that. What happened with Ally?”
“Who knows this time. She claims she has the flu. Every week is something new with that girl. If it weren't for the fact that she is the niece of the district manager, I would have fired her ass.”
“Wow, don’t think I’ve ever heard such colorful language from you.” I tease.
“She just gets my blood boiling.”
“Pay her no mind. It’s not like she does anything when she is here.”
“That is true. Thanks for jumping right in.”
“No worries. It was my pleasure.”
Just like that we get in a rhythm. It is pretty busy but I don’t mind it. Busy means no time to think of anything other than the customers needs. The more I help customers the more I realize how much I enjoy my job. As the day progresses the fact that Ally called out seems irrelevant. She is more of a hinder than help. I think it’s why Maddie doesn’t really like her.
Before I know it’s closing time and it makes me happy. I’m grateful when Maddie tells me to leave. I find myself tired. I guess being pregnant doesn’t help my case. Since I’m so tired, I decide to Uber home. I just want to take a shower and throw myself in bed.
The Uber pulls up and it feels like heaven. I take the stairs slowly since the last thing I need is to fall. The only downside to the building, dangerous stairs especially when you are pregnant. Opening the door to the apartment, I hear the tv playing. Lisa must have left work early.
“Good, you are home.” She greets me as I set my keys down.
“Hi, you seem excited.” I walk to the kitchen to get something to drink. I’m hoping whatever she has to say will be finished by the time I finish my glass of water.
“I got a promotion at work.”
