Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
CARI
Finding my dream job came unexpectedly. I was at River and Aspen’s a few weeks after New Year’s Eve with Gus and Emily, all of us being able to hang out casually now.
I knew Emily wasn’t my biggest fan, but at least she was giving me a chance.
I’d prove her wrong eventually, but until then, I could deal with the suspicion.
At least I was getting the chance to hang out with them.
But I’d been talking about possibly getting into public relations or social media on a not-so-personal level when Gus spoke up.
“Would you consider being an assistant to someone in fashion?” They had asked.
“Uh, yes? I’m willing to pay my dues. I have a marketing degree, but not much else,” I had admitted.
“My friend Kenzie models for this clothing line, crap, I forget the name. But the designer is looking for an assistant. I don’t know exactly what they’re looking for, but let me send you the application,” Gus had explained.
“C! That could be so great for you! I could totally see you being like you’re in The Devil Wears Prada!” River had said excitedly.
After submitting an application, acing the interview, and undergoing a background check, Ellie hired me.
Lucky’s was a clothing line she had started when she was tired of plus-size clothing looking like oversized tablecloths, stuff you’d find at a flea market, and covered in floral patterns.
I’d been wearing her clothes for years, and I didn’t even know it.
She made clothes that made plus-size women look like baddies and not make clothing shopping stressful as hell.
One of my favorite things was her website having actual plus-size models in a variety of sizes wearing the clothes so you didn’t have to guess how they’d look on people with curves and rolls.
Plus, they had inclusive sizes up to 6XL and a place to enter your measurements to see which size would be best for you.
Once I found out Ellie was the owner, all I wanted to do was get this job.
When she called to offer me the position, I actually squealed with joy, thinking I had put the phone on mute.
Thankfully, Ellie had laughed and welcomed the enthusiasm.
Part of why I was so excited to work with Ellie was knowing I wouldn’t be sitting in an office all day.
She explicitly said we’d be on the streets of New York City more than in her office.
I was going to be answering calls on the go, grabbing fabric swatches, and meeting models for photo shoots and fashion shows.
She liked the flexibility of working in an office while also being able to work from anywhere, and wanted someone who could handle whatever was thrown at her.
I had admitted that while my main focus used to be my own Instagram account, I was happy to put my all into helping her build her own brand.
Her brand’s Instagram needed a revival. It had been following old trends, posting too much, and not engaging with anyone.
It was one of the things I mentioned at my interview, along with several points on how to bring it back to life.
I had a much more extensive plan, but I wanted to make sure I got the job before giving it all away.
“Cari! You’re here, bravo,” Ellie greets me with a hug in her office the first morning.
“I grabbed your coffee on the way in,” I hand her an iced coffee as she leads me through the office.
“We’re not going to be spending much time here, but you do have a desk, and this is my office.
Take this iPad it’s going to be yours, along with this work phone.
I’m not going to be insane and say you need it twenty-four seven, but I would like it on you during work hours.
It’ll be a direct line to me as well as everyone on the team,” Ellie explains, handing me a pink iPhone and iPad.
“Got it.” I nod, opening the iPhone to the notes and slipping the iPad into my oversized purse.
“Thankfully, my partner is a tech genius, or I’d have no clue how to do half this stuff.
But she’s a wizard, and any questions you might have tech-wise should be directed to her; she’s on the phone under Reese,” Ellie explains.
“The calendar is synched to mine, so if I have a meeting you have a meeting. I hope you can keep up and stay on your toes as much as you can.”
“I can. Happy to do what’s needed and go wherever needed.” I smile.
Ellie turns around to look me over. “You’re wearing my fall line from three years ago.
It’s possible you found it at a thrift store, but I think it’s more likely you already owned it.
I’m glad you weren’t lying when you said you were a fan of the work we do here.
I can handle a lot in this industry, but I don’t tolerate lying.
You need a day off, you’re behind on a task, you missed the train, tell me the truth.
If I catch you lying, it’s automatic grounds for firing.
I want someone I can trust. This company is my baby and I expect you to respect it the same. ”
“Of course.” I nod.
Ellie starts explaining specifics about the ins and outs of the office.
She talks about the spring line’s release and her creative process.
I’m taking notes and making my own notes to ask Ellie if we can schedule time, maybe once a month, to go live and let someone interview her about the new line.
She’s got great confidence, and seeing the actual owner behind the brand always helps gain social traction.
She continues, and I keep making notes of things I see and things I want to ask about.
By the end of the tour she dismisses me and I head to the HR department to finish filling out paperwork, which is where I spend the rest of the day.
By the time I’m done and I head back to my desk, Ellie isn’t in the office. I decide to use the time to make sure I have everything in my normal phone so I don’t miss any work events.
I straighten up the desk, unwrapping the new Post-its and a box of pens I find in the drawer. There’s a small plant that looks left behind from the last assistant and a present in the bottom desk drawer.
I take out the shiny pink box and unwrap the bow carefully, taking off the lid and peeking inside. There’s a small note on top so I open that first, making sure it’s actually for me and not something left behind.
Cari,
Thanks so much for joining the team. I can’t wait to get started.
This is a little something to congratulate you on joining us!
– Ellie
I open the purple tissue paper, and inside is the most gorgeous green dress I’ve ever seen.
It’s somehow my perfect size, which I’m not going to question.
The dress is made of beautiful silk that is softer than a baby’s skin.
I don’t know where I’ll be when I’m wearing it, but I know I want to be buried in this dress.
I delicately put it back in the box and smile.
I wasn’t sure how it would be entering into the workforce for the first time.
Sure, it was something Shirley and I had talked about extensively before I started.
But it was still a new experience I was nervous about.
Ellie seems like a great boss, but then again she could just as easily turn into Maleficent or something now that I was actually here.
These were all things Shirley and I chatted about, making sure I was ready for each and every scenario.
I liked to be prepared; it helped me not feel so out of control.
But as I organize my desk, making a mental note to bring some photos of River and me and maybe a scented candle, I have never felt more at home.
I am ready to do this job justice and learn everything I can.
Maybe I wouldn’t be an assistant for the rest of my life, but this is a great way to learn the industry.
I would make great connections and, over time, maybe find out exactly where I fit in.
I go over the events on tomorrow’s calendar so I can be prepared.
I need to be here by nine, have coffee for Ellie and me, and then we have fabric searches until lunch time.
Then, a Zoom call with a Canadian company about expanding some of our contracts with them and, if that goes well, making sure all the details get to legal for processing.
It is going to take time to find my footing, but I am excited.
By the time I am done, I realize everyone else in the office has gone home.
I hadn’t been introduced to the entire office yet, just a smile and hello from those I passed.
But the ones I have met seemed nice so far; it was only a small team of less than ten, so hopefully I’d learn their names quickly.
I pack up my things, grab the dress in its box, and head for home. I am a quick fifteen-minute walk home, and I know better than to carry this box on the subway.
“Surprise!” River cheers as I unlock my front door.
“What are you doing here?” I ask as she hands me a glass of champagne.
“It’s your first day of work, I’m obviously here to see how it went. Good or bad, I’m so proud of you for turning things around.” River hugs me tightly, and I almost drop everything I’m holding.
“Thanks, it was actually a great day.” I smile.
“Good, because I have the Chinese takeout you love and a cake for later.” River smiles.
“You really didn’t need to do this. It’s just a job,” I say, putting the dress box down on the counter.
“I know, but seriously C, you’re doing so good. I was so worried when I saw you a few months ago but now you’re thriving,” River says happily.
“Let me get changed into something more comfortable, then I’ll tell you all about it.” I nod.
“Okay, fine, but I’m not waiting on you to start eating, I’m starving!” River calls as I set my things down in my room. I take the dress out of the box and find a hanger for it. I didn’t want it to wrinkle, and I want to be able to admire it.
I change into a long t-shirt and a pair of shorts, tie up my hair in a loose bun, and take off my makeup.
It has been forever since I spent the day out of the house, actually working the entire day, and I am exhausted.
The smell of my lo mein is the only thing getting me motivated not to crash into my bed.
I plug in my work phone and almost immediately it makes a sound.
A new notification pops up on the iPhone, ‘Ellie added a new calendar event’. I unlock the phone to see what the event is and make sure I add it in my normal phone calendar too.
Summer line photoshoot in DC with photographer Max Montgomery.
My heart drops. Max? My Max? It shouldn’t be surprising, she is an extremely talented photographer and she loves working with inclusive brands.
But is this true? I glance at the dates and wonder if the universe is playing a prank on me.
This job was too good to be true. Will I be seeing Max in person the weekend before Valentine’s Day?
Of course. I take a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves before I think of my next step.
I need to call my therapist. Shirley and I would need as many sessions as possible to talk this out.