Chapter Four
Kendall
There was something wet on my face, and I tried to imagine what it was. I opened my eyes and was greeted by Bo sitting there, wagging his tail. He always tried to wake me when he was hungry or wanted to pee.
“Good morning Bo, how are you today?" Bo wagged his tail and started to pant. “I take it, that means you are happy it’s the weekend, and I have no work, eh?” I said to him.
He cocked his head to the side and pricked his ears.
“So, Bo, are you feeling hungry, or do you want a pee?” I said as I swung my legs from my bed.
I shuffled to the window and pulled the curtains. I squinted as the bright sun flooded the bedroom. What time is it?
Bo looked at me as if he understood me saying "pee," he jumped from the bed and ran into the kitchen. Barking filled the air and his nails clattering on the tiled floor.
I looked at the clock. It was after 10, no wonder he was trying to wake me, his bladder must have been close to bursting. I made my way to the kitchen and opened the door, Bo ran into the garden and cocked his leg on the first bush he came to. He looked at me totally relieved as he stood there wagging his tail.
“So, feeling better are we little man?” I said as I grinned at him. “I suppose you're hungry now after all that peeing?”
I opened the cupboard and took out his favorite canned food. I emptied it into the dish, and he moved up to smell it before he dived in.
“You have me all weekend now Bo, mummy has no work, so lots of time to be together,” I said as he wagged his tail and jumped on the couch beside me. “What do you want to do later, you want to go for a walk?” I said as he just sat there panting.
I loved my big dog. He was my best friend.
“I just need a shower and then we can go. Is that okay with you?” I said as Bo barked in agreement.
I had a quick shower and grabbed my jogging pants and sweatshirt as I came downstairs. I could see Bo sat there with his leash in his mouth as he waited for me.
“Come on, let’s go,” I said as we left the house.
As we arrived back home, I could hear the phone as it rang, “Hello,” I said.
“Hi Kendall, it’s your mom, how are things going with you?” she asked in her usual bright tone.
“I’m ok, things are fine,” I replied as I looked at Bo.
“How is the work going with that big company you are with now?” she asked.
“It’s okay, it’s just… I’m not sure,” I replied in a low voice. I really didn't love working there.
“What’s wrong dear? I can tell when something is not right with you.” Her voice was filled with love and concern.
“I thought it was that way with all companies of that stature, but it’s not the case, the work is great and all that, but the boss, he…” I hesitated as I curled my legs up on the couch.
“The boss is what? He’s not being funny or anything, is he?” she replied. “I saw him on the TV. He looked arrogant.”
“Yeah, maybe or it could be that he just has so much responsibility for someone his age, and he has all that money, I’m sure it would affect a lot of people if they went from zero to hero in the bank balance department,” I said in honesty.
“If he’s as bad as he seems, you should be thinking of looking for something else, someone who appreciates you,” she replied.
“That’s half the problem Mom, he does appreciate me, he just has a crap way of showing it. But he’s the same with everyone not just with me,” I said.
“Well in my eyes, any company like that, or a boss like him doesn’t deserve you. Kendall, you worked hard to get to your level of education and all that,” she pressed on in a determined voice.
“It’s such a good company, that is what makes any decision so damn difficult, there is no way I could ever land a position like I have now. And with all the perks I get, the company pays for everything,” I added as I sighed.
“The work is also great, I have a chance to grow with the company, and the boss does see potential, even if he’s a total prick when it comes to personal relationships, at work, and in his own private life." I felt sick thinking about work, now.
“Well dear, I only want what’s best for you, and if it means you have to leave that place, it’s just something you will have to do if you want to be happy in your life,” she said as the phone crackled. “I just don’t want you to get settled somewhere and regret it later because you’re at a good age now. If you left it too long, you might have missed the boat for a very good career.”
“Mom, I need to shoot off now, I have to meet Mandy in a while, I haven’t seen her for some time, and I need to catch up on all the gossip,” I replied as I looked at Bo asleep.
“Ok, dear, think about what I said and think of yourself before anyone else,” she said with her caring tone. She was so good to me.
“I’ll give it a while longer before I decide, either way, he may warm up to my charm and change, you never know! Maybe another couple of months and I’ll decide for sure, Mom.”
“Ok, dear, I better let you go, and say 'hi' to Mandy for me, it has been a long time since I saw her,” she said before she ended the call.
I got ready to meet Mandy and headed toward Café La Blanc where I was due to meet her at eleven. Bo would have to wait a little while longer. I found I was around 15 minutes early and grabbed my favorite latte; then I took a seat by the window.
I sat there as I sipped my drink and never noticed Mandy slip into the seat opposite me.
“Wakey, wakey,” she shouted as I jumped.
“Sorry, I was miles away. I spoke to Mom earlier, and she has got me thinking, she says 'hi' by the way.” She sat down, looking amazing. Pretty brown hair and a great smile.
“How is the old bird anyway?” Mandy asked with a giggle.
“She’s fine, still plodding on as always, and always telling me how to run my life or ruin it,” I replied as I smiled. “So, what do you got planned for this glorious weekend of no work, girlfriend?”
“Well, I thought we could go out on the town later and catch us a couple of guys? How about it? Are you up for a night of debauchery?” she added as I caught her wink.
“You know I have never been a one-night stand sort of girl,” I went on. “I need to feel some chemistry and attraction.”
“Attraction is easy, just wear your low-cut dress and attraction is sure to come your way quicker than you can say ‘lickity split,’” she said as she laughed loudly.
I don’t know. I’m not into one-night stands, they hold no attraction for me. I just don’t see the point of hooking up with a guy just for sex,” I said as I crinkled my nose. “Maybe I’m just a country girl at heart and all I can think of is the ideal dream of a good man and having kids with him. Talking about settling down, what’s your ideal scenario?”
“Well for a start he needs to be a bit of a looker, I don’t want just anyone hanging on my arm,” she said predictably. “Secondly, he must have a decent bank account balance, not just the sort to pay the Harrys. I need enough to cover all my shopping habits. You know what I mean, girl?”
Mandy loved to shop. I had been with her when she was in a previous relationship, she could burn 10 grand in an afternoon easily. She could probably give Elijah a run for his money.
“As they say, no money, no honey,” Mandy said. “Lastly, he has to be good in bed and needs to pack some serious meat on his member! Oh, mamma, yes... packing some serious meat.”
"Stop!" I said, laughing so hard my sides hurt.
“I have some serious needs, and this booty needs some serious attention,” she replied.
“So, what about you girlfriend? What’s your ideal scenario in life?” she asked as she sipped on my warm latte.
“Well, he needs to be good looking and healthy, and know how to look after himself at all times. Yeah, personal hygiene is a must. Secondly, he should be successful and be a good provider for a family. He doesn’t have to be over wealthy, that is not a problem as long as his heart is pure,” I said.
“So, he’s the total opposite to your boss then? He sounds like he would be better for me rather than you,” she said with a wide grin. “You should introduce us, I could show him a seriously good time if you know what I mean,” Mandy said as she lifted her breasts as if offering them to an imaginary Elijah.
“Deep down, I think he’s okay, but the way he’s at the moment, he’s a total dick. Mom asked if I was gonna leave, and I’m not sure yet,” I said.
“You should try it, entice him with your womanly charms, I have done it many times, and look at me now,” Mandy replied. She did have loads of money from men.
“No offense, but I have no intention of being like you, I love you to death, but your track record with guys has not been the best by a long way,” I added as guilt raced through me from speaking the truth.
“Hell, girl, what are you trying to say? I look fine, I’m as good a catch as anyone!” she said as she ran her hand across her breasts and mouth. “Who could resist these charms eh?”
“Well, that is you, I’m just too different to your way of thinking and attitude, I’m more reserved and happy to wait for the right one to pop up,” I said, hoping she wouldn't take offense.
“Well, don’t waste too much time, you’re not getting any younger, and your Mr. Right may just pass you by completely as you are looking for something that isn’t available for you.”
“I’m quite happy to settle for Mr. Right now, and I want him tonight one way or another,” Mandy said as she winked and grabbed my arm.
“I may have had a different attitude about going out, but all I ever seem to meet are dicks who are just out for sex. I can't believe they are shallow and so up themselves,” I added.
"Yep," she agreed.
“I could write a book on some of the stories I could tell you about guys trying to hook up with me, there have been some real fucking treasures with their attitudes and the way they think they are God’s gift to women,” I said.
“I could do the same, but my book would be X-rated, I got them in the sack most of the time and then ended the relationship before anything happened," Mandy said plainly. “Sounds to me, you have a thing for your boss but he’s just too much of a dick to realize it, anyway, he has probably bedded many women and wouldn’t even look at the likes of me and you, or is that just my observation?”
I wasn't sure. Maybe she was right.
“I think it’s just much safer to say I don’t have time for a man in my life at the moment. I’ll leave all the fun and excitement up to you for now,” I said as I winked at her.
“Point taken. If I wasn’t your friend, I would be slapping you right about now, but because we are close, how about coming shopping with me and helping me choose my sexy outfit for this evening?”
She was so predictable. I wanted another latte. She drank the rest of mine.