“It was, but I had more fun when my husband and I went by ourselves,” she chuckles. “We didn’t have to worry about not being able to get on the rides for being too short.” We both laugh. Connie goes on to explain that she has three adult children and five grandchildren with another one on the way.
Once she has retrieved a fresh cup of coffee from the staff kitchen, she takes my W-4 from me and begins entering my information into the system. When that’s complete, she walks me over to the guy who will give me a new login and password so I can get onto Lux’s network as an employee.
About twenty minutes later, I’m walking back across the hall into the main offices of Lux Advertising, searching for Zeke. When I spot him, I notice he’s on the phone. I head to the kitchen to stowaway my lunch in the refrigerator, and then to my new desk that is facing Zeke. I hold up the folded sheet with my login information on it to let him know that I can log in. Rolling his eyes, he continues on with his call. Taken aback but still ready to work, I sit and turn my computer on, waiting for it to boot up so I can log in. When it does, I take the time to look through the Lux database which was front and center on the desktop.
Reviewing the database, I discover I am privy to the different clients Lux is currently working with, or have worked with in the past. The information is good to know to determine how the company operates. I’m unaware of how long I spend perusing some of the files, but when I look up I see Zeke is off the phone and working on something on his own desk.
“Good, you’re off the phone. I was just taking the last few minutes while you were on your call to look through the database, and I see—”
“Who gave you permission to do that?” His tone is sharp.
My head juts backwards. “Well, I assumed since I now have my own login and—”
“Don’t assume.” Another roll of the eyes.
“Oookaay, no need to get so defensive…” I pause, waiting for him to say something more about what it is we’ll be working on today but he doesn’t. So I do. “Would you be able to explain to me the current project you’re working on so I can get caught up?”
“You won’t be able to get caught up.” He shakes his head as if he’s already deemed me incompetent.
“Then maybe—”
“Look,” he sighs, standing up. He pulls a thick binder off the windowsill and brings it around to my side of the desk, nearly slamming it down in front of me. “This is a comprehensive cataloguing of all of the business systems we use here at Lux. It includes how to use the phone system and all other modes of communication, procedures for developing product and service brands, how to pitch a client, and what to do once a pitch is accepted. That should be more than enough to keep you occupied for the rest of the day.” And without another word he circles back around his desk, sits, and begins typing on his computer.
“This is a lot of material to absorb. Will there be a quiz at the end of the day?” I quip. The joke, of course, is lost on Zeke who sighs heavily again and picks up his phone to place another call. All without granting me even a passing glance.
Realizing Zeke is obviously not the friendly type, I opt to make the best out of an awkward situation. I try to remind myself that I have no idea what is going on in Zeke’s world. He could be going through a rough time personally, and is one of those people who brings his problems from home into the office with him. With that thought, I open the binder, pull out the brand new hardcover notepad that’s in the top drawer of my desk, and begin jotting down notes I believe will be helpful to know from the binder.
As much as I wish I could say things got better throughout the day, I can’t.
Chapter Ten
Janine
My day goes from bad to worse once I step off the elevator on the ground level of my office building and begin rifling through my purse to find my cellphone which is ringing. Just as I exit the main door, I pull my phone out, and my heart sinks as the name of the caller which appears.
“Watch it,” a male voice behind me grunts as its owner nearly knocks me over to get out the door.
I look up and of course it’s Zeke. He glares at me before turning and moving past me, as he continues down the sidewalk.
I don’t have time to give his attitude with me too much thought because the sound of my still ringing phone continues. Without thinking, I answer.
“What took you so long to answer?” his voice demands through the line.
I pull the phone from my ear to look at it.
“Hello!” I hear as I stare.
I consider hanging up. It’s been months since Matt and I talked. I can’t imagine what he’s calling me for. And this isn’t the type of greeting that makes me want to continue the conversation. But, being the pushover that I am, I don’t hang up.
“Hi, Matt,” I respond. “How are you doing?”
“I’m fine. When are you coming back to Boston?”
Taken completely off guard by his question, I ask “What?” as I climb behind the wheel of my Kia Sorento.
“Is the connection bad where you are? I asked when are you coming back?”
“Going back to Boston for what?” I tied up all of my loose ends before I left. My employer was notified, of course, and my landlord was given a forwarding PO Box for any mail or packages that may be delivered. My savings account with my local bank closed. Medical and dental offices notified of my moving.
