One of the things I pride myself on is being able to keep everything running smoothly. When Gabrielle started, I was the one who met her first, handed her the scanner, printed out herroute schedule, packed her orders, and acted as the go-between to ensure her deliveries went out smoothly.
So naturally, we'd always see each other.
I am the hub and she's the runner. So I do interact with her most times.
I’d just returned from vacation, where a temp had covered my shifts. Shifts that normally put me in daily contact with Gabrielle.
The first thing I noticed about her is her smile. The next thing I noticed is that she's always looking at Lincoln every now and then. Clearly there's still love between the both of them, which is something that I am worried about.
I do like the girl. The more I'm around her, the more I feel a pull towards her.
Gabby doesn't even notice how nice she's being half the time. She's a very strong woman and likes to put off an air of confidence like nothing bothers her, but I can tell when little things hurt her feelings.
When one of the guys that brings some coffee brings it for everyone but not her, she'll make a quip, but her eyes will fall slightly. She'll blush a little bit when someone gives her a compliment.
Whenever I would correct her on something, she would apologize and smile at me, but I could see the hurt behind her eyes, probably beating herself up for not doing a perfect job.
She would ask me about my day, not just give me the cursory good morning or goodbye.
Always:
"Hey Fabian, are you doing OK today?"
"Hey Fabian, you look like you were sick. Your nose is a little red. Would you like me to get you some tissue?"
"Hey Fabian, I brought a little extra lunch. Would you like some?"
At first I thought her kindness was aimed just at me.
I don't really trust people that easily, but she seems to be nice with people in general, except for when they cross her.
Like Sarah.
Clearly she doesnotlike Sarah, and I can't really blame her.
She doesn’t like Seven either.
I always laugh when I hear her name or speak it. Always wondered, why in the hell a parent would name their kidSeven?
But Seven had made a very snide remark about Gabby, something about the clothes that Gabby was wearing. I didn't really catch all of it. What Ididcatch was Gabby's response, smiling politely but tightly. Gabby let Seven know right away,
"That wasn't very nice of you."
Seven, as usual in those situations, looked like a deer in the headlights, trying to trip over herself to apologize.
Gabby rolled her eyes, turned, and walked off, and from that point, Gabby has kept her at arm's length whenever she sees her.
She'll still greet Seven and say good evening, but it would probably have been nicer if she didn't say anything, because the coldness in which she does it kind of hurts more.
I never want to be on Gabrielle's bad side. The thing is with Gabrielle, once you get to know her, she's the warmest person you'll ever meet, almost as if it's a privilege to earn that trust from her. Sheclearlyvalues trust and honesty, and I value that too.
I had gotten her phone number a while back, just for work, or so I tell myself.
Now it sits there in my contacts, tempting me to test the waters.
If I send a casual text and she replies quickly, and warmly, it’ll tell me something.
If she leaves me on read or keeps it short and professional, that’ll tell me something else.
