“Come on, come on, come on.” I tap the counter next to my computer, watching the little wheel on my screen spin. I really need to get a new computer. Or maybe faster internet. Possibly both. Finally, the little green check mark appears, confirming my document was uploaded successfully. “Yes!” I throw my hand up in celebration before breathing a sigh of relief and sinking back into my desk chair.
That’s one big check off my to-do list for the week. Another successful day, even if it does mean I spent… fuck, ten hours sitting in front of my computer.
Shit. That explains why my stomach hurts. The last thing I remember getting up for was a cookie I grabbed from the kitchen while refilling my coffee cup.
I reach for the mug, ready to return it to the kitchen so it’s not left out on my desk overnight, a mistake I’ve made far too many times. Only, it’s not there. Probably still sitting in the microwave.
The upside of a day like this is that, for once, I’m slightly ahead of schedule. A single day, but it still counts. The downside is that my back aches, I’m starving, and I haven’t had anything today that even resembles water. The four cups of coffee I had this morning don’t count.
At least that’s what my sister Jane says. She’s a doctor, so she might know what she’s talking about. I’ll never admit that to her face, though. She’s smug enough as it is.
I send my boss a quick text to let him know the document is ready for his review before heading to the kitchen. Options are a bit limited, but that’s what the emergency supply of frozen dinners is for. That’s the one thing I keep stocked. It’s been a lifesaver far too many times. They aren’t that much healthier than ordering takeout, but I pretend they are. At least they include a recognizable vegetable.
While it cooks, I stretch my back with a few yoga exercises and check my phone notifications. There are so many, but mostly they’re crap. Various notes fromTikTokandInstagramabout new posts or likes on something. Nothing that hits me as urgent, so I switch over to a new dating app I’ve been testing.
So far, it’s a waste. Every date I’ve been on has been a complete bust. Or worse. And the vast majority of people ghost me when I suggest we go on a date. A real one, with food and talking. Those are the guys who are hoping for a quick hook-up.
I suppose I should consider it a good thing that they show themselves out. I’m not looking for a quick hook-up. As much as I’d love to get laid, I’m looking for something deeper. Something with the potential to turn into a long-term relationship.
The guy I’ve been chatting with for the past week sent me a new message. So far, he seems decent, but it’s hard to tell from the short messages. It’s not like I expect a lot of chemistry, just a sign that we have enough in common to be worth leaving my house for a night. I should raise my standards. Honestly, that philosophy is why I end up with so many shit dates.
COLT:I haven’t been yet, but I’m planning on it soon.
The message is in response to my asking about the art museum. I’ve been a few times and always love it. Colt just moved here, so I’ve been suggesting places I think he’d like while also trying to figure out who he is. So far, he’s more of a quiet homebody than the clubbing type, which suits me fine.
When the microwave dings, I grab my food and take it over to the couch. I turn on one of my comfort sitcoms, one I could quote by heart if necessary. It’s really background noise while I scroll through my phone.
ME:They’ve got an exhibit right now on 1800s fashion that looks pretty cool.
I’m about to switch away when the dot next to his name turns green, meaning he’s online. I sit back and wait for a response.
Colt
I don’t know anything about fashion, but it sounds cool.
What are you up to?
Me
Dinner
He doesn’t need to know about the sad chicken parmesan I’m eating straight from the black plastic container. I’m still trying to make a halfway decent impression on him.
Colt
It’s late
Me
I was working
I throw in a sad face, even though I really do enjoy my job. Being a virtual assistant wasn’t something I went looking for; it was something I fell into. Four years ago, I got let go from my corporate human resources job during an acquisition. Finding a new role took a lot longer than I thought it would, so I started looking for anything to fill the time… and my pockets. At the time, I was living with one of my older brothers. He showed me a website where people post remote work opportunities. A fewauthors were looking for help, and I figured that since I loved to read, it was worth a shot.
In my wildest dreams, I didn’t imagine it would turn into anything more than a passing gig, something to keep my spirits up until another company came calling. But I loved it so much that within a month, I knew I’d found my calling.
Eventually, I found that the third-party company limited my time and abilities. It took all the courage I could muster, but I built a website and gathered enough information to strike out on my own. It took a year before it started paying my bills. Thank God for my brother. He covered my living expenses, let me stay in his guest bedroom for free, and generally kept me going during that year.
Now, I work almost exclusively for one author, Haskell Barnes, with a few side projects here and there. It’s the perfect arrangement. Not only because I love his books, but also because he’s a genuinely nice person who makes me feel valued and doesn’t care as long as I do the work on time and show up for our video calls.
