Chapter 1
Charlotte
Whoknewtoday’soutfitof choice would end up being so hideously wrong?
Also? Who knew I’d end up getting fired from the Early Childhood Center today?
Moisture gathers under my beige silk blouse as I huddle around a computer screen with my coworkers. Along with mywide-leg brown slacks, I’ll admit it’s colorless and dated. These clothes are a couple of steps aboveI stopped caring what I look like about five years ago. And honestly, the blouse isn’t real silk. It’s “silky,” which I’m pretty sure means it’s one hundred percent acetate.
But that’s neither here nor there because I’m being fired right now.
A cursory glance around the office turns into a longer stare. The off-white walls. The low, popcorn ceiling. The thick, gold, corduroy curtains flanking either side of the slightly tinted window are all suddenly sealed up in my mind. With a jolt, I realize I won’t be coming to this place for much longer.
“So, yeah…” Displayed on the screen, my boss, Ron, pauses his sad speech, his face etched with agony.
The agony is probably caused by him having to break the bad news to us and because he brokebothof his arms.
Ron fell off a ladder repairing his roof a few days ago and had to have surgery. He just got home from the hospital and won’t be back into work for a while.
So, we’ve been leaderless for a few days, and now most of us will be jobless.
My co-workers—Willa, Skyler, and Tracy—are stock still. No one’s saying anything, just facing the little laptop screen in silence. The air drips with sadness, so I clear my throat.
“This is a shock.” My laugh is a honk. “But, not really, considering the nature of university-funded centers. We’ve been living on borrowed time for a while now anyway, right?” Even as I say it, my throat goes dry. I’m trying to put things into perspective, but Willa, my best friend, is staring at me likeThat’s not helping.
Willa just got engaged to her soul mate, and something inside of me lately has me wondering when I’m going to find someoneto be with. Seems hard when my limited dating consists of nothing but first dates.
“The work will go on,” Tracy says sagely, a line of importance creasing her forehead. “All will be well.”
That’s easy for her to say. As the assistant director of San Antonio University’s Early Childhood Center, she’s losing her staff, but her own job is fine.
Sweat continues to pool under my arms. If I’d known I was getting fired today, I’d have worn something else. Maybe my tie-dyed “Whatever, Dude” sweatshirt from junior high. It would have been the perfect response to this situation.
“I just signed a new lease on my car,” Skyler says, running a hand through his hair. “Do you think they do take backs?”
Willa snorts. “Like ‘just kidding, I actually can’t lease this car?’” She shakes her head. “No. My uncle went back the very afternoon he signed a car lease, and they wouldn’t let him out of it. My aunt was so mad.”
“Oh, your aunt from Austin?” Tracy brightens. Her greying brown pixie cut shifts slightly as her brow rises. “She stopped in once.”
“No, the one in Tulsa,” Willa says.
“I have an aunt in Tulsa!” Tracy says.
Willa’s mouth drops open. “No way! You also have an aunt in Tulsa?”
“In some cultures, ‘auntie’ is a term of endearment for any woman of influence in a person’s life,” Skyler supplies.
“I know,” both Willa and I say.
Is the “auntie” thing Skyler’s fun fact of the day? He’s a know-it-all, so there may be more coming.
“Your aunt from Austin is a hoot,” Tracy places a hand on Willa’s arm. “She loved my earrings the day she came in. Remember that? I ordered some for her because she was such a nice lady.”
Willa inhales with recognition. “And then I took them to Thanksgiving, and she—”
“Can we get back on topic here?” Ron says through the screen. “I imagine you all have clients coming in soon.”
“Sorry,” Tracy and Willa say at the same time.
