19. Blessing
I pulled up at OCPT a few minutes before the disciplinary meeting with Mrs. Johnson.
My head had been throbbing since I woke up this morning, and I knew the shit came from stress.
I was nervous as fuck and didn’t know how this was about to play out.
Saint promised to buy me a new building to start my own facility if I lost my job, but my reputation had also been damaged.
That’s why I was cautious about crossing any lines with him.
I could only blame myself; I knew the risks, yet I still chose to take them.
I wiped my tears and grabbed my phone from the cup holder.
Chanel and Taryn had sent supportive messages in the group chat.
I spoke with Saint this morning while getting dressed; he was scheduled to record for the podcast today.
I was glad he’d share his side, but I worried it might backfire and no one would believe us.
My social media accounts were deactivated because of the harassment I received following Mariah’s live.
I couldn’t believe her crazy ass went live and spewed a bunch of fucking lies.
She knew she’d broken up with Saint and hadn’t spoken to him since then.
I was struggling to find her reasoning for the bullshit she was pulling.
I climbed out of the car and headed inside the building. Dejah was seated at the front desk. She looked up at me, giving me a sympathetic look. “Hey, girl. She’s already waiting for you in the conference room.” I nodded, heading straight there.
The door was open, and I could see Mrs. Johnson seated at the round table.
I scoffed, noticing Mariah seated across from her.
“I know you fuckin’ lying,” I mumbled as I walked inside.
I took a seat in the chair furthest away from her.
It was taking everything in me not to reach across the table and smack the taste out of her mouth.
“Good morning, Blessing. It’s good to see you. I wish it were under better circumstances, but” She sighed, folding her hands together on top of the table.
“Good morning…” I started, glancing at her, then at Mariah. “I was under the impression that this meeting was between you and me. Why is she here?”
“She requested to be here to ensure that the situation is handled properly. Look, Blessing, you’ve worked here for a very long time.
You’re an amazing worker, and the clients love you.
But you know the rules. There is a strict no-fraternizing policy here.
That policy is here for situations just like this.
The reviews have been flooded with negativity!
I built this facility from the ground up by myself!
The integrity of my business has been tarnished because of your recklessness.
Because of your reckless decision, I have no choice but to terminate your employment, effective immediately.
Your office has already been packed up. Please grab your things and leave your badge and any other equipment you have at the front desk.
I wish you well, and I hope you make better decisions in the future.
” Mrs. Johnson said. Her voice was laced with judgment.
My eyes had clouded with tears, but I refused to let them fall.
Mariah looked at me with a smirk on her face. I knew she felt like she had won.
I nodded, standing from my seat. There was nothing for me to say. I left the room and headed to what used to be my office. There were two boxes filled with my belongings stacked on my desk.
“Need help?” Kalia asked.
I shook my head, picking the boxes up. “No, I’m okay.”
“I’m sorry she decided to fire you. You’re one of the best physical therapists here.
It’s her loss. You literally bring her the most business.
Fuck this place and start your own shit.
Just make sure you have a position for Dej and me.
” She said, with a laugh. She wrapped her arms around me and gave me a tight hug. It took everything in me not to cry.
I sighed, “Thank you, girl. Y’all know I got y’all. Let me get out of here. I hope that bitch is gone, cause if I catch her in that parking lot, I’m going to beat her fucking face in.”
As soon as I got into my car, I pulled out my phone to call my brother. It was taking everything in me not to track that weird ass bitch down and run her the fuck over. He was the only one who could calm me down.
“Messiah!” I cried as he answered the phone. I was in full-blown sobs at this point.
“Blessing, what the fuck is wrong?”
“I lost my fucking job!” I sniffled, wiping my face. “Then she had the nerve to have Mariah in the room while she fired me as if I hadn’t been embarrassed enough! On my mama, I’m about to go find that bitch and beat her the fuck up!”
“Aight, sis, calm down. Look, fuck that old ass lady. She’s dead ass wrong for firing you in front of Mariah.
Regardless of what you did, that shit is unprofessional as fuck.
At the end of the day, it’s her loss, Bless.
What did Granny use to tell us? When one door closes, ten more open.
You got too big for that little job anyway.
You know what you need to do next. Everything is going to work out how it’s supposed to.
I know you want to put your hands on that loose ass bitch, but don’t. It’s going to get handled.”
“Thank you, Siah. I needed to hear that. It just seems like shit has been hitting me back-to-back.” I sniffled, wiping my face.
“You gone be straight. You one of God’s toughest soldiers. That nigga Saint better be worth it though.”
“I hope so..”
I spent a few more minutes talking to Messiah before promising to call him when I made it home. Once I ended the call, I sent a text to the group chat, asking to meet for lunch and hookah. We agreed to meet at a hookah lounge downtown. It was only a 25-minute drive from where I was.
My phone dinged, signaling a new text message, as soon as I turned into the restaurant’s parking lot.
(578)333-8859: Time’s up.
I kissed my teeth and deleted the message. I’d been receiving these messages almost every day for the past month. There was so much other shit going on in my life. That shit would have to wait.
“Hey bitches.” I greeted, sliding into the booth where Chanel and Taryn were seated. They’d already ordered a hookah and a round of shots for the table.
“Hey girl, you okay?” Chanel asked, placing a hand over mine.
I shrugged, not knowing how to answer that. “I’m okay, I guess. I just don’t like feeling embarrassed. I can’t believe Mrs. Johnson allowed Mariah to sit in the meeting.”
“Yeah.. that was bogus as hell.. But uh. I can’t sit here and not tell you this.” Taryn started, glancing at Chanel.
“What the fuck happened now?!” I questioned, instantly getting irritated.
“Mariah was live-streaming the entire meeting…”
I grabbed the shot and tossed it back. This bitch just wouldn’t stop. “You know what, I’m just going to let Messiah handle it.” I shrugged. “If she wants to die over some dick, that’s on her.”
“I don’t even know why she thought it was okay to mess with Messiah’s sister. She’s asking to meet the Grim Reaper. I wanna beat her ass so bad.” Chanel said, rolling her eyes.
“Damn.. I guess I don’t get an invite to lunch…” Symone spoke as she approached the table.
“Why would we?” Chanel responded, glaring up at her.
She huffed, tugging at the strap to her purse.
“Look, I want to apologize. I genuinely didn’t think Mariah was shading you, Blessing.
But with recent events, I see that she was.
That’s my fault. I always try to see the good in people..
I didn’t expect y’all to kick me out of our little friend group, though.
Sooo, can we call a truce? Lunch on me.” She asked, poking her lip out in a pout.
“I guess you can kick it with us again. But this is the only time you’ll be forgiven for the weirdo behavior. Next time, I might beat your ass.” Chanel threatened before scooting over to let her sit.
Symone squealed as she sat down. “Dang, I missed y’all.”
I grabbed the hookah hose and inhaled the blueberry mint flavor. “You wouldn’t have to miss us if you weren’t defending a weird bitch.”
Taryn snickered. “Yeah, Symone. That shit rubbed me the wrong way. Don’t make me regret bringing you around.”
I’d forgive Symone, but part of me still felt like I couldn’t trust her.
Maybe the recent events had me on edge, or maybe it was my intuition.
Either way, I decided to keep an eye on her.
The rest of lunch went smoothly. Although the food was tasty, I couldn’t really enjoy it.
My thoughts were scattered, and I just wanted all this chaos to end so I could return to my normal life.
I couldn’t handle anything else happening.
“Oh my fucking…” I gritted my teeth as I approached my car. My front window had a fucking brick through it. I bitterly chuckled, shaking my head. The universe had to be playing a sick-ass joke on me.
“Now who the fuck did this shit!” Chanel yelled, waving her arms in the air.
“That strange ass bitch probably followed you here!” Taryn said, walking around the car to examine the damage.
I pulled my phone out to call Messiah, but was quickly distracted by another message from the unknown number.
(578)333-8859: Next time it’ll be your house.
My blood ran cold. I couldn’t keep avoiding the situation, or it would blow up in my face.
Instead of calling Messiah, I had Chanel drop me off at home.
Once I made it inside, I called my insurance to file a claim.
They sent a tow truck to pick it up and let me choose a rental until the windshield is replaced.