“WELL, THIS IS IT! Your new home away from home,” Shayne from Human Resources says as he shows me my new office. “I know it’s not what you’re used to, compared to what you had back in California, but we are working on getting you into one of the larger suites upstairs. Mr. Singleton put the request in a few weeks ago, but we had no idea you’d be joining us so soon, or we’d have put off the renovations until later.
“No, this is fine. No need to go out of your way. I don’t mind this at all.” I walk over to the large window behind what will be my new desk and take a deep breath I hadn’t realized I needed. The view of the Charles River calms me, and looking down onto the street, seeing the hustle and bustle of people going on about their day gives me more peace.
“It’s just that this position has been vacant for so long and we didn’t expect you to say yes after Mr. Singleton informed us you’d turned it down last year, but now that you’re here, we can accommodate you in any way you need.”
“Thank you.” I smile and mean it. “Everyone has been very welcoming to me. I appreciate it. I’d forgotten how great Massachusetts folks can be. It’s a pleasant change from California living.” Shayne laughs at my statement.
I’m sure he thinks I’m just saying whatever to make small talk, but I mean what I’m saying. California was fantastic and I loved it there, but it took me a while to get used to how some of the people there were. Not everyone was friendly and at times came off rude and indifferent.
“I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone say people from Massachusetts are great. I mean, I still have my old T-shirt from college that says ‘I’m from Masshole’ on the front of it. I’m from Ohio, but I went to Boston University. It was an interesting four years,” he says, and I laugh with him this time.
“True, but have you ever been to Cali?” I ask.
“Can’t say that I have.”
“Well, when you have, you’ll understand.” I give him a friendly smile. A smile he returns, and I can see that my accepting the office that is smaller than I’m used to without any complaint has taken some of the anxiety from his face. I’m sure that he’s used to dealing with the higher-ups in corporate who have very diva-like demands. That’s never been how I’ve acted. I may have a fancy title after my name, but I chose to be friendly with the office staff as well as be more of a hands-on executive rather than become someone that workers in my office want to run and hide from.
“Okay, well, if you need anything else, let Lance know.”
“Lance?”
“Your assistant. Don’t call him a secretary. It starts more than you can imagine. Trust me. He should be here shortly. You arrived here sooner than I was made aware of, but I was able to pull him in for you. He’s the best. He’s only been with the company a few weeks, and he already knows everything. Whatever you need, he can get it for you.”
“Sounds good. Thank you.”
I’ve never had a male assistant before. I wonder if he’s gay. Would probably be better if he was. I don’t need the distraction if Aly ever comes to my office to have lunch. Who am I kidding? Not if, but when she comes. I almost want to laugh, but I realize Shayne is still here and I’ve just zoned out on him.
“No problem, Everly. This is your security card for downstairs. Make sure you have this at all times, and here is your office keys and your company cell phone. I’ve gone ahead and programmed all the important numbers and added them to your favorites. Again, anytime, just call. IT should be here in an hour or so to get you all logged into your desktop as well as bring you your company laptop. Any questions for me?”
“No. I think I’m good for now.”
“Okay, well, then. I’ll let you unpack your office and get settled in. I’ll let Lance know you’re here. Welcome to Boston!” he says in a mock tour guide type of voice.
“Actually, I was born and raised here. Newton, Massachusetts to be exact.”
His eyes widen in surprise. “Ah. You’ve lost your Boston accent. I had no idea.”
“I don’t think I ever really had one. That’s more North Shore. I grew up just outside of Boston, but we spent a lot of time on the South Shore. Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and a little in Marshfield. I do drop the R when I say peppah, though.” I laugh because I didn’t lose it just now.
“Peppah. Watah. I’ve even started doing those too words myself. I’ve only lived here about two years and have yet to hit Cape Cod.”
“Oh no. We just say The Cape here.”
“I knew that!” He laughs at himself. “I didn’t, but I’ve avoided going. I’ve heard the traffic is terrible, so I avoid it.”
“It can be, yes, but I’ve heard you can take the ferry now, or train.” I smile at him. It’s nice talking about my home. I’ve missed Massachusetts so much, and I didn’t even realize how much until I got home.
“I don’t know. I’ll have to look into that,” he says with a slight shudder. “I’ve enough traffic in my life. I have to say, sitting on I-93 every day during rush hour isn’t a selling point for my staying here permanently. We didn’t have traffic like this in Ohio. Everything was pretty much thirty minutes to and from home. We also had lots of nothing, so that might have had a part in keeping traffic to a minimum.” He smiles, and I laugh. He’s sweet, but I’m ready to get settled.
“Well, I’ll leave you to it, Everly. If you need anything, just call.”
“Great. Thanks again, Shayne.”
“My pleasure.”
Once he’s gone, I flop down into my new desk chair and blow away the lock of hair that’s come loose. I quickly pulled my hair up this morning, not wanting to have to deal with blowing it out.
I have a few boxes that were sent over from my old office in California to unpack. That should help me kill some time before IT shows up. I’m about to start on the first box when a text message comes through from my personal cell phone. I pick my purse up and pull out it out, putting it on silent while I’m at work. I look and see that it was a text from Cameron.
Cameron: Have a great first day at your new job, kiddo! Lunch today?
I smile and type a reply.
Everly: I wish, but I’ve actually got a lot to do. Going to just have a quick sandwich at my desk. You know, first day and all :)
Cameron: Tomorrow then?
Everly: Cam . . .
Cameron: What? I just want to spend some more time with my kid sister. Stay caught up, ya know?
Yes, I do know. Cameron wants to continue to grill me more on why I’m here and why he and my parents only found out about my coming home a week before I got here. I sigh and try to think of what to tell him. I’ve told him pretty much everything he needs to know already, and honestly, I’m just ready to forget about all the reasons I’m home. What’s the point of starting new if all I do is continue to be reminded of the things I want to leave in the past?
I can’t say that to him now. It will only make him more concerned, and then he’ll hover.
Everly: You are caught up. I promise, and sister. Not kid sister. :/ I’m far from a child Cameron. You are the only one that can’t seem to remember that . . . BTW, don’t you have fires to put out?
Cameron: Yeah, okay. I’m going to hold you to that. KID. And yes, but I’m on nights this week.
I shake my head even though it’s impossible for my brother to see my frustration and annoyance at his constant reminder that he still thinks of me as the little kid that always followed him and Niko around. I’ll be one hundred years old before he figures out I’m not her anymore, but that’s a battle for another day. For now, I’ll ignore it.
Everly: I know. Talk soon! Maybe next week?
Cameron: Sounds like a plan. :D
Thinking of Cam and Niko back then brings thoughts of the Niko of the present. I’d love to say that the night I spent with Niko has put me off wanting him again, but I’d be lying. If anything, I’ve had to wrestle myself from jumping in my car and showing up at his place in hopes of round two, but I stop myself. I couldn’t do that again, even if Aly has been harping on me to let loose and screw everything else. I need to keep myself busy. No more thoughts of Niko!
I go to place my cell back in my bag when it vibrates in my hand. Expecting more from my brother, I’m surprised when I see a text from Alyson.
Alyson: Drinks tonight! Let’s celebrate your new job and your homecoming!
I shake my head before typing a reply.
Everly: It’s Monday.
I reply. Aly, never slow on the draw, my phone vibrates seconds later.
Alyson: What’s your point?
Everly: It’s Monday! That’s my point. Unlike you, I can’t sleep all day.
Alyson: Hey! I work nights. Speaking of . . . I rarely take a night off, but I am for you. So . . . Let’s celebrate my dearest friend in the whole world comin’ home :D
I’m barely through reading her text when another one pops through.
Alyson: Say yes. You know you want to. ;) Do it! Say yes! *Giving you my puppy dog eyes here* Pleaseeeeeeee
I can see her face now, and I want to laugh at her antics, but instead, I give in. As usual.
Everly: Okay. But I’m buying dinner first! No argument from you! Then we can celebrate with one glass of wine. I still have to be up early tomorrow.
Alyson: Fine on the dinner :/ but Yay!! Promise I’ll be on my best behavior . . . and I’ll make sure you are too! ;) BTW we are so working on getting you to that bad girls club graduation! Even if it’s not tonight! :D
Yeah, I’m sure she’s going to try. I’m so not fooled, but I’ll go anyway because I’ve missed Aly just as much as everyone else here. I know Alyson has gone through something. She’s more than likely still dealing with it. I can’t pretend to relate, but I have a feeling it’s more than she wants to share with me, and Aly has used our distance over the past few years to hide it.
We were only in our sophomore year of college when the call came. I still remember the night. It was a Tuesday, just before midnight. We were watching a movie after finishing our assignments that were due the next day, nearly nodding off due to an early morning class and being up so late before that, studying for finals.
She left the next day rather than taking finals. Aly left school to bury her brother, telling me she’d be back, but she never returned.
Since then our friendship has survived three thousand miles apart and a lot of change.
I’d still do anything for her, but she never allows me to help, so I just do my part as a friend, and listen whenever she needs me. That’s not often, though, because Aly is as stubborn and proud as they come. I blow out a breath and type a quick text off to her.
Everly: See you tonight. Xx
Now, let me see what I can do with my office. My home away from home. Because come tomorrow, I’m sure I’ll have the hangover from hell once Miss Alyson Payne gets done with me and her way of celebrating.