26
Emmy
Sitting in the back of the cab, my lack of caffeine and late night with Trystan knocked me out.
"Lady," the cab driver yelled.
I snorted as I came to and wiped my mouth.
"We’re here."
I blinked, feeling like I'd woken from an eighty-year slumber. "Thanks. Sorry." After paying, I stumbled from the cab, making sure I had everything. Phone!
"Hey," I yelled as the cab driver pulled away. I abandoned my bag and went yelling out into the street after him. Luckily, there were no other cars coming that direction. The cab squealed to a stop.
"Lady!" the driver yelled out the window, his hand gesticulating a series of symbols I was sure were an A-Z of curse words in Urdu sign language.
"Sorry." I pulled open the back door, and of course there sat Trystan's phone. I breathed out a sigh of relief. "Thank you," I said as the driver tutted and shook his head. I picked the phone up and closed the door, having to leap back as the car sped away. I almost lost my toes.
Suit Monkey: Are you actually alive? Can you at least tell me that?
Barely, I answered mentally. I exhaled hard. I had to talk to him. I knew it. And now my boss had made it necessary.
Yes.
What a cop-out. He'd know something was wrong, and I didn't want to act like a weirdo.
I'm good. Sorry just had a busy morning.
Suit Monkey: Sure.
He wasn't buying it one bit. And it sounded like my avoidance might've started pissing him off.
I cringed that the only reason I was communicating was because I needed something from him.
Any chance I got another text or email from my boss with a call-in number?
There was no immediate response. I negotiated my bag into the building and signed in. "Is D'Andre working today?" I asked the new lady at the sign-in desk.
"Nah. He's off Fridays," she responded.
I thanked her and trekked to Penny's office to let her know I was here. She was on the phone, but she waved at me, and I went to find David.
Suit Monkey: Email forwarded.
Thank you. TTYL
Suit Monkey: Sorry. I'm in my 30s. TTYL?
Talk to you later.
David had no recollection of his outing the day before and seemed in good spirits. It made me feel as if I had no reason to hang around. I should go home today, at the very least to get some balance. Some equilibrium. Then I'd also be able to use my laptop to follow up with the Medicaid consultant I'd told Penny I'd found. We'd spoken on and off for months but suddenly this week, I wasn't talking hypotheticals with David. I had to move him.
Flying back today was impossible though, and I couldn't stay at home. Trystan had rented my place for another night. This was so messed up.
I had about twenty minutes until I had to call in for the pitch. Raiding a vending machine downstairs, I made my way to the staff break room D'Andre had shown me and had a healthy lunch of a nut bar and a Snapple.
Then I went to Trystan's emails to find the one he'd forwarded for me. Underneath the one from my email were all his work emails. And lots about Montgomery Homes & Facilities in Charleston. And lo and behold one from a real estate company in Charleston. I couldn't help the bubble of stupid hope that fizzed up inside me. He'd said he'd been left some of his grandfather's business. Did this mean he might also be moving to Charleston? It took a colossal effort of will not to open the email and read it. I knew I was semi mad at him and annoyed at falling for his charms. But also the idea of not being remotely near each other's lives was equally . . . unpleasant. Him moving to Charleston could either be amazing or an absolute disaster in the making.
Trystan's phone buzzed and a text notification blocked my view while I was checking the time.
Natalie: Haven't heard from you, but we have plans tonight, right? So looking forward to "dinner." What should I wear? Or what shouldn't I wear? ;-) Xoxo
I reared back from the screen as if the text was a literal slap in the face. Nothing like a booty text to remind you to keep your wits about you. I couldn't resist the snarky text I sent to Trystan.
Natalie wants to know if you guys are still on for tonight, and what she should or shouldn't wear. Wink, wink. Should I postpone her until you're back in New York next week?
Dots immediately danced across the bottom of the screen then disappeared. Agonizing seconds passed.
The phone rang as I stared at it. Suit Monkey.
"Hi," I managed.
"What in the hell was that?"
"What?" I asked and shrugged my shoulders even though he couldn't see me.
"Just . . ." Trystan exhaled roughly. "God, Emmy."
The sound of his voice brought my insides to a simmer. I squeezed my eyes closed. "What Trystan?"
"Do you want me to go? To postpone it?"
I winced. He had me there. Why did he have to turn it around on me? "Do you want to?"
There was silence. And I found myself pulling on a thread of my sweater. And pulling and pulling.
This was ridiculous.
Trystan broke first. "You've been avoiding me."
"I haven't."
"Emmy, I'm not an idiot. You are talking to the prime-minister-in-chief of all avoidance. Trust me. I know it when I see it. Are you okay after last night?"
"The prime-minister-in-chief? I don't think that's a thing."
"It's a thing." I could hear the laugh in his tone. "Because that's my title. I even had cards made."
"Huh," I acknowledged.
"So?"
I bit my lip. "So, what?"
"You're exasperating," he said. "And I don't think I've ever used that word."
"Er no. You can add the prime-minister-in-chief of that to your list of titles too."
"What's going on, Emmy?"
"Nothing. So what's the latest?" I sang, leaning back and putting my feet up on the chair in front of me. "I missed the episode of the Young and The Restless that just ended in the staff break room, so I could use some of your family drama to tide me over."
"Emmaline."
"Oh God, don't. That's what my boss calls me. And to think I used to love my name."
"Apologies. That won't do. Speaking of. Did you get that situation with your boss sorted out?"
"I did. He wants me to call-in to the pitch he's doing at noon."
"That's—"
"In a couple of minutes. I know."
"How's David today?"
I smiled. "He has zero recollection of what happened yesterday."
"Impossible!" Trystan huffed. "He and I had a connection. How does he not remember me?"
"He didn't mention you, sorry," I said, grinning.
"I'm so hurt."
"You do seem sensitive to stuff like that," I deadpanned.
"Hey."
"Hey, what?"
"Nothing," he said. "You better go. I need to as well. I'm going to visit some student housing."
I swallowed. I did have to go, but I didn't want to. How did he make it sound so easy and act so cool after last night? How could I be mad at him, yet still be addicted to talking to him? I was a head-case. I sighed. "Bye, Trystan."
"Bye, Emmy."
I noticed neither one of us mentioned making a plan to return phones.
I sat up straight and dialed in the conference number Trystan had forwarded from my boss.
The line beeped to tell me I was connected. "This is Emmy joining the call."
There was silence.
"Hello?"
"Emmaline, it's Steven."
"Hi, so are we ready to go."
"No, Emmaline. The client cancelled."
"What? When?"
"This morning. Apparently the company is going through some changes, and all budgets are on hold for now."
"Oh, okay. That's a shame. Wait," I said, frowning. "Then why did you make me call-in?"
"To make sure you'd actually do it, of course."
My blood heated like a scolded toddler. "Are you serious?"
"Excuse me? I don't think you're in a position to question me."
"In a position to—" I stared at the phone. The urge to quit right at this moment was so overwhelming I had to suck my lips between my teeth to stop myself saying the words. Tears of frustration sprung to my eyes. I worked my butt off for Steven—often going to all of my clients’ restaurants over and above the call of duty or reimbursement to keep them happy and feeling like I was always keeping them in high priority.
I inhaled deeply, taking note of where I was. I couldn't afford to be out of work right now if I was going to help David. Swallowing all my frustration like a lump of clay, I told him, "Steven, you can count on me. I won't overstay my leave again."
"See that you don't. See you on Monday bright and early."
"See you Monday," I replied dejectedly.
The call ended.
I hate my boss.
Suit Monkey: What happened?
Pitch was cancelled. He knew that but still made me call in. I'm feeling . . . stabby.
Suit Monkey: Stabby?
Murderous!
Suit Monkey: So you texted ME? Great.
Sorry.
I found myself grinning.
Suit Monkey: No it's fine really. It's nice to know I spring to mind when you're stirred to great heights of passion. Was just hoping they'd be less murderous and more amorous.
In the middle of the day?
Suit Monkey: A noon delight? Why not?
I gasped dramatically in the empty break room and typed double exclamation points of shock and hit send.
Suit Monkey: I'm kidding. Kind of. Not really. But I bet you're smiling now. Or at least rolling your eyes.
I am :)
Trystan: I'm in a car with my uncle and my cousin going to visit some of the properties I now own. But if I weren't . . .
Stop.
Suit Monkey: Okay.
Is this what we are now?
Suit Monkey: What?
Phone sex buddies.
Suit Monkey: Do we have to label it?
You can't even commit to phone sex? You're worse off than I thought.
Suit Monkey: Ha. You think you're pretty funny.
I was smiling, but I was only half joking. The truth was I was still feeling pretty raw about the hotel room situation and imagining all the countless women he'd brought there. A physical shudder jolted through me. Somehow when we texted, it was just easier to pretend everything was okay though. I mean, who created relationship drama with someone they'd never even met?
"Knock, knock," said a voice from the door.
I looked up to see the administrator, Penny.
She entered the room, and I slipped my feet off the chair in front of me, so she could sit down.
"Hey, Penny. I'm so sorry about David yesterday."
"Honey, don't apologize," she said, wafting down with a thud onto the empty seat. "These things happen. I found out we had a short power outage at about five in the morning yesterday." She shook her head. "It must have been some crazy confluence of events that David managed to get up unseen, get downstairs before the morning shift, and then pass through the doors at the exact time the power was out."
"Wow," I said because what else could I say? That was some crazy synchronicity right there. "That was bad luck."
"And good luck that he was found safe and sound. I'm glad you were able to get someone to help you. We panicked when we couldn't get you on your phone." She tutted. "So," she said and settled into the chair. "I took the liberty of calling around some places near you in South Carolina."
"You did?"
"Yes, I spoke with the Medicaid consultant you'd found. I thought perhaps a call from me might spur on the situation and have her move a little faster identifying places. We went ahead and put David's name down for four facilities that have dementia care in South Carolina."
"You did? Wow, that was fast. Thank you."
She inclined her head. "Sometimes it's easier to get through to the right people when you know the system. I believe the best one is in a place called Summerville."
"Oh, that's super close to Charleston." Hope ballooned in my chest. "It's a drive, but doable. With urban sprawl it's practically become part of greater Charleston."
"Well, there's no guarantee. They have a limited number of Medicaid beds. None of these places do more than they are required to by law. They have to be financially sustainable after all. But I'm going to suggest that when you get home you go and visit them. Have them put a face to a name. See if there's any way to speed up the process." She handed me a manila folder. "All four are in here with phone numbers and contact information. Then you'll have to rely on the administration staff to file all their paperwork in a timely manner so you can get coverage as soon as possible. They always have a backlog though, so you need to be prepared for out-of-pocket medical expenses in the interim."
"Thank you, Penny."
"Don't thank me. I'm relying on you to do everything you can to get him a spot before the end of next month."
"I will. But thank you for giving me a place to start."
She reached out and put a hand on mine. "You were on the way. But I was glad I was able to help speed up the process. I know this isn't easy."
"He is a good man, Penny. David was there for me like a parent. Anyway. Thank you. I know he seems crazy and belligerent, but he was kind."
She smiled. "That's good to know. He talks sometimes like he did something very bad.”
I lift a shoulder. “He managed other people’s money. It was a big responsibility. And like so many others invested heavily in mortgage-backed securities, he lost everything. Everything for his clients, himself, and his family.”
“I had a feeling it was something like that. When are you flying back?"
"I don't know. Tomorrow, maybe. I had to cancel my flight yesterday."
"A lot of these facilities are geared for visiting and tours on the weekends. So maybe if you can get back today you could go this weekend?"
It made more sense to fly out tonight than pay for a hotel room, but it was Friday and flights into Charleston due to the Spoleto Festival were probably full. Maybe I could try standby and stay with Armand.
"I'll see if I can get on a flight."
Penny nodded and stood.
Going back today meant seeing Trystan today. I felt sick with nerves.