“Cari! You’re here, bravo,” Ellie greets me with a hug in her office the first morning.
“I grabbed your coffee on the way in,” I hand her an iced coffee as she leads me through the office.
“We’re not going to be spending much time here, but you do have a desk, and this is my office. Take this iPad it’s going to be yours, along with this work phone. I’m not going to be insane and say you need it twenty-four seven, but I would like it on you during work hours. It’ll be a direct line to me as well as everyone on the team,” Ellie explains, handing me a pink iPhone and iPad.
“Got it.” I nod, opening the iPhone to the notes and slipping the iPad into my oversized purse.
“Thankfully, my partner is a tech genius, or I’d have no clue how to do half this stuff. But she’s a wizard, and any questions you might have tech-wise should be directed to her; she’s on the phone under Reese,” Ellie explains. “The calendar is synched to mine, so if I have a meeting you have a meeting. I hope you can keep up and stay on your toes as much as you can.”
“I can. Happy to do what’s needed and go wherever needed.” I smile.
Ellie turns around to look me over. “You’re wearing my fall line from three years ago. It’s possible you found it at a thrift store, but I think it’s more likely you already owned it. I’m glad you weren’t lying when you said you were a fan of the work we do here. I can handle a lot in this industry, but I don’t tolerate lying. You need a day off, you’re behind on a task, you missed the train, tell me the truth. If I catch you lying, it’s automatic grounds for firing. I want someone I can trust. This company is my baby and I expect you to respect it the same.”
“Of course.” I nod.
Ellie starts explaining specifics about the ins and outs of the office. She talks about the spring line’s release and her creative process. I’m taking notes and making my own notes to askEllie if we can schedule time, maybe once a month, to go live and let someone interview her about the new line. She’s got great confidence, and seeing the actual owner behind the brand always helps gain social traction. She continues, and I keep making notes of things I see and things I want to ask about. By the end of the tour she dismisses me and I head to the HR department to finish filling out paperwork, which is where I spend the rest of the day.
By the time I’m done and I head back to my desk, Ellie isn’t in the office. I decide to use the time to make sure I have everything in my normal phone so I don’t miss any work events.
I straighten up the desk, unwrapping the new Post-its and a box of pens I find in the drawer. There’s a small plant that looks left behind from the last assistant and a present in the bottom desk drawer.
I take out the shiny pink box and unwrap the bow carefully, taking off the lid and peeking inside. There’s a small note on top so I open that first, making sure it’s actually for me and not something left behind.
Cari,
Thanks so much for joining the team. I can’t wait to get started.
This is a little something to congratulate you on joining us!
– Ellie
I open the purple tissue paper, and inside is the most gorgeous green dress I’ve ever seen. It’s somehow my perfect size, which I’m not going to question. The dress is made of beautiful silk that is softer than a baby’s skin. I don’t know where I’ll be when I’m wearing it, but I know I want to be buried in this dress. I delicately put it back in the box and smile.
I wasn’t sure how it would be entering into the workforce for the first time. Sure, it was something Shirley and I had talked about extensively before I started. But it was still a new experience I was nervous about. Ellie seems like a great boss, but then again she could just as easily turn into Maleficent or something now that I was actually here. These were all things Shirley and I chatted about, making sure I was ready for each and every scenario. I liked to be prepared; it helped me not feel so out of control.
But as I organize my desk, making a mental note to bring some photos of River and me and maybe a scented candle, I have never felt more at home. I am ready to do this job justice and learn everything I can. Maybe I wouldn’t be an assistant for the rest of my life, but this is a great way to learn the industry. I would make great connections and, over time, maybe find out exactly where I fit in.
I go over the events on tomorrow’s calendar so I can be prepared. I need to be here by nine, have coffee for Ellie and me, and then we have fabric searches until lunch time. Then, a Zoom call with a Canadian company about expanding some of our contracts with them and, if that goes well, making sure all the details get to legal for processing. It is going to take time to find my footing, but I am excited.
By the time I am done, I realize everyone else in the office has gone home. I hadn’t been introduced to the entire office yet, just a smile and hello from those I passed. But the ones I have met seemed nice so far; it was only a small team of less than ten, so hopefully I’d learn their names quickly.
I pack up my things, grab the dress in its box, and head for home. I am a quick fifteen-minute walk home, and I know better than to carry this box on the subway.
“Surprise!” River cheers as I unlock my front door.
“What are you doing here?” I ask as she hands me a glass of champagne.
“It’s your first day of work, I’m obviously here to see how it went. Good or bad, I’m so proud of you for turning things around.” River hugs me tightly, and I almost drop everything I’m holding.
“Thanks, it was actually a great day.” I smile.
“Good, because I have the Chinese takeout you love and a cake for later.” River smiles.
“You really didn’t need to do this. It’s just a job,” I say, putting the dress box down on the counter.
“I know, but seriously C, you’re doing so good. I was so worried when I saw you a few months ago but now you’re thriving,” River says happily.
“Let me get changed into something more comfortable, then I’ll tell you all about it.” I nod.
