Chapter 3: The spins and turns
Now, back in my office; were things are back to normal. Check this, write this copy that. The usual.
“Have you finished the report of how much blood has been donated this year?” a light voice came from the door of my office. The grey complected wall hiding the body.
“Yes. I’m finishing it up now, I am sad to report that it seems to be significantly less than last year.” I said. Hearing his footsteps walk toward me.
I took my eyes off my desk to look down to see a pair of scuffed up Lanvin calf derby shoes. I knew then that it was Mr. Hummel. I could image his thinning reddish hair and how he always leaned his body to the left when he talked.
“That is the problem now in these days; no heart,” pointing to his heart. “Any-who, me and a couple of buddies of ours are going to get a drink, you’re welcome to join,” Hummel said.
Normally I would decline but I’ve been in a slump recently with a year passing of Alan’s death.
“You know what, I think I’ll accept your offer,” I said smiling at Mr. Hummel.
“That’s great then. We are going right after work I’ll have one of the guys stop by to get you,” Mr. Hummel said.
His foot did a 180 degree turn and when he did an eerie loud creek came from the floor. I gritted my teeth a bit when the sound emerged. I could hear the sound of his shoes when he left. I went back to filing some papers.
Some people dislike their jobs. I looked into the blank computer screen; I realized that I hate this job. I wish I was back in Kenya traveling town to town donating blood and affecting lives. I see my job now, someone who checks how much plasma goes to each city. At first, it seemed awesome. Instead of volunteering I was getting paid, I didn’t have to worry about getting shot at or getting chased. I actually missed that though in some strange sense. The adventure was so surreal.
You know what I need right now? A sub from the cafeteria. I put my arms on the top of my desk and pushed off the desk making my feet become like brakes. I walked down the hallway toward the elevator. There she was Britney angle. Her beauty was unbelievable, how she always had a shy laugh even when she knew you and straightened her long brunette hair when she sat down in her chair. Our three month anniversary was coming up; I had gotten her a teddy bear as a present.
“Hey Brit, how are ya?” I said as I sneaked a kiss on her cheeks.
“Hi Shaun, I’m doing fine how are you this lovely evening,” Brittney said blushing at me.
“Oh ya know, getting a sub down at the cafeteria. It was calling to me. I said glancing at her boots.
“Oh my god no way; me two,” she said as she began to twirl her hair.
“I was planning on just bringing the sub up to my office, but instead would you like to eat with me in the dine-in area?” I asked.
“I would love too, I almost hate eating by myself down there, and ever since Gabbie left I have had no one to eat with. I forgot of asking my boyfriend, geesh what am I thinking!” Britney said. I realized that I despised Gabbie, she always had to say something. “Yeah Pokémon was ok,” Led-Zeppelin was an ok band but Jonas brothers replaces them easily. Not to mention she always wore 2 sizes too small with her more-than-average weight.
We both shared a glance staring into each other’s eyes, her blue eyes were amazing. Should I say did it hurt when she fell from heaven? No, that’s lame. It doesn’t matter how long you have been dating. Not even my sister hears that line anymore.
“Ding,” the reflective elevator allowed me to see the true beauty of Brittney, she wasn’t hot, she was cute and everyone at the office knew it. She wore a blouse with a buttoned up jet black peat coat. The elevator doors slowly opened. Brittney and I entered the elevator. I pressed the number two button on the elevator. The button lit up and the door closed. An acoustic version of let it be began to play in the elevator. She tapped her feet to the sound of the music.
“So how is Grandma Angle?” Her grandmother was diagnosed with skin cancer. It always seemed that in elevators there was an awkward silence between anyone.
“She has actually gotten a lot better, the chemo is really working” Britney said.
“Ding”, The elevator doors opened. People were waiting patiently. It was almost like a flock of geese heading down south for the up coming season.
Britney and I shuffled in between the crowd; she quickly grasped my hand going between them. Us grinning because we knew we might get in trouble if our bosses saw us doing it. We had a huge meeting about keeping business relationships on the down low.
The aroma of the subs was over-becoming. I grinned at the sight of me biting into a juicy sub with light cheese getting more of a flavor from the Italian dressing.
“Do you know what you want Shaun?” she asked as she glanced at the menu.
“I think I am going to get the Italian,” I said my stomach grumbled.
“Yea I think I’ll get the veggie,” she said.
The man at the counter had a gloomy look about him; he had patches of a unshaved beard. A fake smile appeared on his face but quickly went away.
“Welcome to Sub mart what can I get for you?” he asked.
“Umm, I’ll have the Italian sub and she will have the veggie,” I requested smiling at him hoping to get a smile in return.
“Will that be all?” he asked.
“Yea we’re good. Have a good day.” I said. He ignored the compliment and walked away to another customer.
I looked across dining room to find an empty table.
“How about that spot over there?” I asked as I pointed at the vacant table.
I sat down on the plastic chair and she sat in the chair across from me. She began to straighten her hair. I turned to crack my back looking at unappreciated employees because where are they gunna go in life, wait where am I gunna go?
“I feel like a rebel when I hold your hands, Shaun. I feel like a modern day pirate in this corporate world. Maybe we should leave our jobs and become pirates. Slowly gaining enough money to take over the world! Arg!” she said as she closed one of her eyes.
“Hey Brittney, Why are pirates cool?” I said grinning because I knew she wouldn’t know the answer. I bit into my sub.
“Umm, I don’t know Shaun tell me please.” She said as she played footsie with me.
She began to fiddle with her hands.
“Because they just aarrrrr?” I asked. A burst of laughter came from her mouth. Britney and I finished our subs and she took a napkin and got some sauce from the edge of my mouth.
“You know how I hate that” Britney proclaimed defending herself.
“Ha ha, I know Brit.” I said. “How would you like to celebrate our three month anniversary by going to the bar? A few guys will be there. Who knows maybe some of your friends will be there also.” I said.
“I would love to Shaun,” She said and leaned in and gave me a kiss.
I went back into the elevator back to floor 5.
I was playing tower defense 2000 and finally gave up on level 20. Dare I see the time? I know as soon as I do ill regret it. I glanced at it. Wow did I spend 3 hrs on playing that game? The clock has never lied to me; it must be true.
Knock, Knock, Knock.
“Hey buddy you ready to go man? I’m pumped!” Jeff said.
“Jeff you’re going? That’s awesome man. I’m actually going with Britney though, I’ll see you there,” I said.
“Oh I see how it is man, I thought we were gunna talk ya know, hang out, and have a blast but apparently not now man. You messed it up bro, it’s done. What happened to bros before hoes bro?” Jeff said
“I don’t know depends on how many times you said “bro” in that conversation,” I said
“Alrite man, well I’m out. I’ll see you there then bbbrrrooo.” He said
Britney approached my door. Her cherry lipstick always stood out whenever she smiled.
“You looking forward to tonight?” she said.
“Heck yea! Let me grab my coat and we are off!” I said in glee. I grabbed my jacket from the coat hanger. This is the night that my expectations become reality. My heart was racing. My spirit was high. Tonight was my night.
It!!