Part Two: Your Husband, My Ex.

I wasn’t in the mood for the day, but in Court’Ne’s infamous voice--who gon’ pay these bills? I’ve been working at a veterinarian’s office for over two years now. I like being around animals and it runs in my family as my late father’s parents are farmers. I spent summers helping Grandma Cora milk cows and collect eggs from the chicken coop while Grandpa Jerome talk shit about city folk almost every morning. I didn’t mind the rambling; I imagine it’s what my dad had to do before he…I checked my phone for the time—I’m gonna be so late!

“Nice for you to stroll in…” Parker mumbled under her breath as I sat down in my chair at my station.

Our desks were combined in a wraparound style inside a hub located in the lobby where clients first walk in. The facility has been remodeled, and I wish it wasn’t. I miss how our stations were separate cubicles and we called clients by saying, “I can help the next guest at cube number four!”. Since our desks have been combined, this one coworker feels the need to make unnecessary comments about others’ actions when they inconvenience her. Just a few weeks ago, she got in trouble for calling clients over to other people’s stations, rather than hers and she’d be free to handle a client. Apparently, she had to open the lobby doors earlier at 8 A.M., and it was my turn to unlock them. It’s no secret that Parker is always “on the toilet” when it’s her turn.

“Excuse me? What was that?” I glanced at her, finding her eyes watching me.

Parker turned around as soon as she heard someone approach the counter. She was ready to shoot attitude but noticing the someone was our actual boss, Tammy, Parker straightened herself out. “Good morning, Miss Tammy!”

Tammy gave a small smirk towards Parker and even Joe, who barely talks unless it’s a client in his face. This tall, blonde woman then gazes over at me and her smile got bigger. Is this my first time realizing her eyes are green? “Temperance, may I see you in my office?”

Joe and Parker are now staring at me. I don’t disagree, getting up from my station after locking my work monitor. Parker has this expression upon her face as if I’m in trouble, but I can’t be. Today is my 2^nd time being late within the last 2 weeks, last time was simply oversleeping after purposely pressing snooze. I engage at work when I feel I must and I have no issues with any coworkers because I don’t care that much about these people. I’m here for a paycheck and to be around animals. My dreams don’t require much but consistency and a canvas. Hell, I follow just about every rule…except for being on time all the time for the past 2 years.

“First, you’re not in trouble.” Tammy grinned at me after she closed her office door. I felt tension leaving my shoulders. I just know Parker came in crying about me being late, but I was only 15 minutes late. It’s a Monday morning and the parking lot barely had any cars in it when I parked my 2016 Blue Honda Civic Coupe. They may have had one customer since I got here. “I just want to be the first to congratulate you before the email comes out.”

“Email?” I was genuinely confused.

“Do you remember that conversation we had about 6 months ago? If we could create a certain title for your extra work, you’d accept the position with your desired pay.”

My eyes widened while my throat got dry. I couldn’t help but to let my expression brighten up. “Tammy…”

“I know I said it could be a long shot, but you convinced the higher ups fully with your piece that you let us show at the banquet. On the night of the banquet, I let my mouth do a lot of talking and somehow manage to get the okay to pay you more. I also must set up a dinner introducing you to the CEO…”

I tried my best to stay focused on Tammy for the rest of what she had to say only it was challenging. I got a pay raise; it went up about 10 dollars. I’m now the creative director at my job and I oversee all things artistic at this company. I get to run painting classes for kids while someone hosts me to educate the kids on the animals we’re painting. I get to shadow Tammy to meetings with higher ups to understand how to bring more awareness of our facility with art in general. The CEO would like a mural created on the back of the building as it faces the highway. There’s much more Tammy said about my new duties but the best part of it all—besides the pay raise—is that I get a whole new office all to myself! Its just Tammy requested I still help the other receptionists until they find my replacement. Tammy claims she posted the opening online yesterday. I can’t wait to tell Court’Ne!

The email was orchestrated so properly and pretty that I took a picture of it, texting it to Court’Ne. Even Parker’s hateful stares couldn’t distract me from the incoming 20 texts and videos from my best friend. I was congratulated by everyone, even people I wasn’t aware of knowing my name. I spent the whole Monday in a chipper mood. More money to share art for a vet’s office? I said I was only here for a paycheck but maybe I can do more than just schedule appointments and take calls. I’m sure the first day will be strange for me; I’ve never had an office before. I wonder if Court’Ne would like to go plant shopping this weekend. I can hear her saying my office already needs Lucky Bamboo. I can feel a drink or two coming my way after work too.

“Hey, Temperance.” Tammy came up to my station, startling me a bit but she didn’t take note of it. “Would you like to see your office? I was gonna head out in a little, but I figured you’d like to peek.”

I heard Parker scoff behind me. “Uh, sure. Lemme just shut—”

“Bring your things—” Tammy checked her Apple watch “It’s almost 6 pm anyways.”

Hell yeah. I didn’t want to seem eager, but I gather my stuff in a swiftly manner so I’m not holding Tammy from her off-the-clock festivities. Parker made sure I saw how upset she was, but what exactly could I do about my promotion? Recommend Parker in place of me when I remember her stating how art doesn’t make sense after I had shown her one of my pieces? I said I don’t have any issues with my coworkers simply because they’re not worth it. I keep a black stone on me when I come to work, word to my best friend.

My office is on the 3^rd floor of the building, along with the offices of the social media representative and volunteer manager. There’s a storage room up here too, but Tammy says this floor is typically quiet compared to the other floors. The other office holders are out today but I will be officially meeting them sometime this week. I can start decorating my office whenever I feel although I’ll still have to report as a receptionist this week. I can start in my office next week and they’ll accommodate my eternal absence from the first floor. The office has one tall window on the right side when you walk in, and this window has a view of the block—which has a huge park in sight. I noticed there were two wraparound desks, facing the entrance you come in and a mini fridge against the wall separating the space between the desks. I must have the desk against the window!

“Will I ever be sharing this room with anyone else?” I questioned.

“Oh, yes! That’s also what I wanted to talk to you about.” Tammy’s smile became a bit serious.

“Hm?”

“Well, while you are our new creative director, we also wanted to have a wellness coordinator. You’ll be sharing this office with him.”

“Oh, what does he oversee?”  Why did I just ask that?

“Our wellness as a company, generally—”

See, Tem? Even your boss wonders why you asked that!

“—but maybe also providing opportunities to the community. You guys will be collaborating to see how we can make that possible. You’re permanent but this guy must prove himself or he’ll be cut after 6 months.”

Okay, it makes sense. I hope he’s not some old white man who will say “like the hair” every time my hair is different. I get being a part of the diverse group of receptionists, I just don’t feel like putting on face for someone I’ll be stuck in a room with. Maybe he’s geeky, fresh graduate from a prestige university who’ll be excited to share his college experience with me. Or someone a little more flamboyant than usual, even though I would not have any issue with that. One of my favorite uncles is like that. We could talk about all things messy because—

“Oh, there he is! I was hoping he’d make it before we both left.” Tammy’s eyes were locked on someone behind me as I could hear heavy footsteps inching closer towards us.

I turned around, instantly wishing I never did.

Never accepted this promotion.

Never worked here.

Never woke up this morning!

Okay, maybe that last one is extreme—a stomach bug would’ve been just as good. Why me? Why is he here? Did he purposely seek this job? Why am I looking at—

“Temperance, I’d like to introduce you to—” I had to cut off my boss.

“Kamasi. Kamasi Jefferson.” I swallowed nothing but dryness.

The tall, handsome gentleman grinned down at me while sticking his hand out. “It’s good to see you again, Tem.”

“You guys know each other already?” Tammy was already eating this up. Can she not see the discomfort on my face? “That’s just super!”

Who needs an introduction when your married ex-boyfriend you dumped a little over a year ago becomes your coworker?