CHAPTER ONE
With a nod and a click of her pen, Jewel hangs up the phone.
“Another satisfied customer,” she whispers to herself with a smile.
She can't help but notice the recent influx of overly satisfied car buyers. The salesmen have been pouring their hearts and souls into their work. It’s clearly paid off. She can't deny that she takes a bit of pride in not only them, but also in her own contribution. She handles a ton work for the sales guys, and ensures they have what they need to do their jobs efficiently.
Jewel feels that she has an equally important job at the dealership. She's their support system, the glue that holds everything together. As a smirk spreads across her face she begins to wonder if this is the year that her branch is awarded the prestigious Southern California Best Mercedes Dealership of the Year Award. It's an accolade the company has been seeking since its first opening, long before she began working here.
OK, Jewel. Time to bring yourself back to reality. After all, reality is the place where I actually have to work to get that elusive award.
She shakes the smile from her face in case any onlookers are wondering why the receptionist is smiling at a blank wall.
The lobby is starting to get busy as the dealership prepares to close for the day. Some clients are looking around like lost sheep in need of direction. Jewel’s constant clock-checking habit reveals it is indeed about time to go home. A feeling of relief washes over her. As much as she loves her job, she values her free time much more.
Next to the clock is the name, “Brunson and Sons Mercedes Dealership” in big, bold letters. She takes the time to read the name over in her head and adds “Best Dealership of the Year, 2017” after it. For her, it's motivation to work hard each day.
The prospect of getting some leisure time starts to sink in and provides her a wave of rejuvenated energy. As she begins placing her pens back in her drawer she notices the corner of a picture buried under some office supplies. Curiously, she picks it up, only to realize that it's an old Polaroid of herself with her ex-boyfriend, Johnny, a sentiment she would have rather not found.
Aw, shit… why’d I have to find this now? she wonders silently as she tenses up.
She figures it must’ve been submerged under stack of files from two weeks ago, because she hadn't seen the picture since then. Even though it brings up that familiar, gut-wrenching post-breakup pain, she stares at the photo, recalling the traumatic end to their relationship. The picture shows them together, Johnny posing with his guitar and her kissing him on the cheek. It was taken right before his big show in Texas; a show he had been looking forward to for weeks. In the background of the picture, in the corner, is a cruddy black van, haphazardly painted with the band's name.
She begins to recall the horrible event just last week, the day she caught him cheating. Jewel was opening the band's travel van, the one they used to haul their gear in, and discovered her so-called “boyfriend” getting it on with another female. She grabbed him by the neck of his jacket and ripped him out of the van, her screams alerting anyone nearby of what she had uncovered. She argued with him and cried for several hours. Sitting here in her office, she can feel her heart beginning to pound and her blood starting to boil, just like when she discovered him with his pants around his ankles.
That bitch was just a ditsy fan girl! How could he do that to me!?
Her mind starts racing, as if it was happening all over again. Quickly, Jewel starts to shut down the thoughts. She knows it'll turn her entire evening into a crash landing instead of allowing her to enjoy the rest of her night. Instead she takes a breath, holds her head up, and reminds herself that she is washing her hands of musicians.
“They are off of the menu for good,” she affirms to herself.
Jewel is a big, beautiful, blonde woman who feels she could do well with any man she wanted. She promptly throws the picture in the trash, dumping some other junk on top to prevent herself from glancing at it and being reminded again.
Regaining her focus, Jewel finishes cleaning up her desk. When she stands up to inspect it she gives herself a nod of approval. Then she grabs her bags and turns around, only to see Carol standing directly behind her.
“Oh, hey, Carol.” she states. “Didn't know you were back there.”
“Haha, yeah. I just wanted to stop by and say hi. It's about time to go.” Carol sets herself down on the edge of Jewel's desk. “Got any plans this weekend?”
Carol is a redhead with short hair. She is rather petite and is always wearing bright, colorful outfits. Today is no exception. She's wearing a blinding yellow jacket over a pink, knee-length dress. If Jewel didn't need to keep up a professional air, she would openly gag on the color scheme, though despite her fashion choices Jewel considers Carol a friend.
“Yeah. Actually, I do. I've got a blind date. My sister set me up.”
“Oh, really? Exciting! Wait...she has a musician friend? What’s the name of his band?”
“Not exactly. He's an optometrist. Cathy says he's pretty good looking and that she thinks our personalities are a match.”
“What? Ha! Good one.”
“No, seriously,” Jewel insists. “I've turned a new leaf! Musicians aren't really right for me.”
“I can't believe you're actually dating someone normal. Are you sure this guy isn't in a secret band?”
“I'm sure! But hey, I'll let you know how it goes. Who knows? Maybe he's the one.” Jewel gives Carol a wink before making her way to the door to leave. She punches the clock.
“Try not to be too bored, sweetheart!” Carol calls after her.
“Yeah, yeah...” Jewel mumbles to herself as the doors close behind her. “As if I can't date normal.”
As Jewel walks to her car, she tries to imagine what her blind date will be like. She wonders what this optometrist might look like and what he'll order for dinner.
He'll probably talk about his patients and all kinds of stuff I don’t understand. I hope he doesn’t talk too much and forget that I even exist. Or worse, maybe he'll be way too interested in me and ask a bunch of lame interrogation style questions.
She grimaces a little before reminding herself of her sister’s good intentions.
Cathy wouldn't set me up with someone intolerable… right?
Pulling herself from her thoughts, Jewel opens her purse to look for her keys.
She pulls them out and unlocks the driver side door of her car. As she leans over the driver seat to set her bags down, out the passenger window she notices her ex-boyfriend crawling into the same crappy van that he was caught cheating on her in. Unfortunately, Johnny also works for the dealership. He’s a mechanic, so Jewel knew she would inevitably see him again. She rolls her eyes, but doesn't turn away fast enough to keep herself from seeing a slutty looking young woman climbing into the van after the rest of the band.
Gross. Do you know how stupid you look? No, you probably don't...
Jewel lets out a painful sigh. They're not even a good band. I would never want to be like them...
She hesitates a moment.
At least, not again.