Chapter 01
“I’m standing out like a boner at a pool party, Kate,” I complain into the phone.
“Well, it’s too late to go home and change, so get in there.”
Anxiously standing at the foot of a sleek skyscraper, I look around at the somber-looking business men and women. Amongst all these very serious, very professional people, I feel like an awkward teenager again—lost, confused, and underdressed.
“Maybe I should see if I can find a nearby store to buy a nice sweater.”
“Arriving late on your first day is even worse.”
I look down at my clothes and cringe. “I’m not sure.”
Even from here, I know she’s rolling her eyes. “Which one are you wearing?” Kate asks with a sigh.
“The Hulk one. With the ‘Hulk smash!’ on it.”
“Jesus Christ, Andy!”
“I know,” I say with a grimace. “I couldn’t find the box with the nice clothes, and this is basically the standard programmer’s uniform, so I thought it would be fine. But now that I’m seeing everyone in suits…”
“I’m sure you’ll be okay, babe.”
“What if they fire me before I even reach my desk?”
I take a deep breath and tell myself that won’t happen. Kelex is the most open and inclusive company I’ve ever heard of, so they won’t even bat an eye at my T-shirt.
“If they fire you, then you’ll come back to Portland, and we’ll be in the same city again. It’s a win-win situation.”
She’s wrong. Going back home wouldn’t make up for losing this job. This is everything, and I already know this is my professional peak. It’sthe perfect position, in the perfect company, in a perfect city. Well, maybe Seattle isn’t the perfect city, but it’s convenient. And it is the closest tech hub to home, even though I would have traveled the entire country for a position at Kelex.
My new employer aims to simplify the lives of people with disabilities through specialized apps, operating systems, and various software programs. Their goal is to allow everyone to experience the perks of technology equally, if not use it to improve their lifestyle. And that means everyone—people who are deaf or hard of hearing, people with low vision or blindness, wheelchair users, those who suffer from a debilitating medical condition, people diagnosed with neurodivergence… the list goes on. Kelex serves as many people as possible.
I hear someone talk to Kate on the other end of the line, and she answers something about a margin of error or something. Then, she refocuses on me. “Okay, I need to go back to work, or I’ll get fired as well.”
“What do you mean, ‘as well?!’”
“You know what I mean, stop being a whiny little bitch.”
I should probably be offended, but this is exactly the kind of tough love I need right now. “You really think I’ll be fine?” I question.
“Yes, I promise. Now, you need to take a deep breath, tell yourself you got this, and be the badass I know you are.”
Because it sounds like the best thing I can do right now, I comply. I fill my lungs, exhale, and assert, “I got this.”
“That’s my girl! Get in there, or you’ll show up underdressedandlate.”
“Alright. Thanks, babe.”
“You owe me a pep talk.”
“I’m still ahead on those, you know.”
“Yeah, only three left, and we’re even.” There’s a pause while someone talks to her again, and after a few seconds of this, she returns to me. “Okay, I really have to go, and so do you. So, get in there, babe, and kick asses and take names!”
I don’t even have time to answer before she hangs up. A glimpse at my phone tells me I need to hurry if I don’t want to be late. I pass nervous hands through my short, curly bob and get a move on. I let myself be guided by the crowd of lawyers, traders, and other suit-wearing people walking toward the entrance.
Nervous energy buzzes inside me as I pass the massive doors, but I don’t let it slow me down. I walk to the wall where the companies in the building are listed. It doesn’t take long to spot Kelex, whichoccupies two floors. Somehow, seeing it right there worsens my anxiety, tightening my throat with it.
