Chapter 3
Sadie
“Sit yourself down when you get home and take some calming breaths,” Bailey tells me when I’ve spouted out the whole ordeal to her after I left my office with my belongings; including the stationary supplies, my chart, and the indoor ficus I bought.
I tried to keep my head held high, but it was a little hard considering everything I was juggling in both arms with one broken shoe, plus I was soaking wet thanks to the asshole who drenched me with that puddle.
“You’ve had quite a shock, maybe a stiff drink might help?”
“I was thinking more like a hot cup of tea,” I sniff into the balled up tissues in my hand as I pull up to my apartment, noticing Kelto’s van is nowhere in sight. Typical. I have a growing fear that she’s taken off and I’m never going to see that rent money again.
“Well, that too,” Bailey says. “Maybe a drop of brandy in said cup of tea. My grandfather always said it warmed the cockles of his heart, and steels your nerves.”
“I don’t own any brandy,” I grumble. And I’m not about to go and buy any. Not with all my expenses suddenly mounting up, and now having no income.
Do not panic!
“That company and the people in it are all useless assholes, Sadie. You know it as well as I do. It’s always the bottom line with those bastards. You’re just a number to them.”
“You’re not kidding. They promoted Veronica above me after I trained her! All because she’s younger than me and cheaper labor. It isn’t fair.” I know I sound whiny, but I don’t care. I’m allowed this.
Bailey lets out a string of profanities, and it makes me feel a little better. She has a calming effect on me.
“Thank you for listening,” I sniff again. Knowing I have to do some serious soul-searching tonight and also let my folks back in Colorado know what’s going on. Maybe I’ll tell them I’m job hunting because they’ll only worry. It sounds so much less severe than fired.
“Anytime, babe. And if you need me to hop on a plane and come over there to smack some sense into someone, namely that stupid Mrs. Ruin, then so be it.”
I shouldn’t giggle because I don’t condone violence, but I know she only means it in the sticking-up-for-her-best-friend sense.
Bailey is tough as nails, so I guess I wouldn’t put it past her to give my ex-boss a piece of her mind.
But there really is no point. I am just a number.
A number that ultimately didn’t mean very much to them after all the hours and unpaid overtime I put in over the years.
“Thanks, Bails. I don’t know what I’d do without you. ”
“No problem. And since you’re now freed up from that horrible place and haven’t had a vacation since god knows when, why don’t you come out for a visit? It’s beautiful here with wintertime approaching.”
She says it like I don’t know. I’ve always loved Alpine Falls, not that I’ve been there in a while.
It’s pretty, unassuming and quaint. A small town where everybody knows everybody.
Alpine Falls thrives in the winter with ski resorts and snow activities, and there’s an amazing Christmas tree farm and cute little shops dotted around town.
“A visit?” The hope in my tone is pathetic. But I don’t want to be alone for the holidays.
“Why not? It will be Christmas soon, we could spend it together.”
Well, that does sound appealing.
Hot cocoa.
Snow boots.
Winter mittens.
Fun.
I could do with some fun.
I tap my fingers on my chin while I consider it.
“Maybe I could come on a little extended vay-cay,” I chime, suddenly feeling like this is exactly what I need.
I could spend a few weeks in the snow hanging out with my best friend.
Though job hunting should be on the forefront of my mind, the thought of seeing my bestie sounds much more appealing. “It could be just the break I need.”
I have to be careful with funds, but I should receive enough severance for a plane fare and support myself for a few weeks.
By the end of the month, though, I’ll be homeless, and I still have to try and find Kelto’s portion of the rent so I don’t get a black mark against me.
My two other friends in New York, Jane and Viola, will be away for the holidays, and that fills me with dread.
Am I just realizing now how pathetic I am?
“Sounds perfect to me. A mini-vacay could be just what the doctor ordered,” Bailey says. “You can stay with me for a few weeks until my parents arrive, and I’ll cover the airfare. You won’t have to worry about anything.”
Tears spring to my eyes. “You don’t need to do that, Bails. I’m okay—”
“Nonsense. And if that little bitch Kelto doesn’t pay up, I’ll be on the first flight over there to drag her ass over to your landlord.”
I huff another laugh under my breath. Bailey really means well in her own way.
Even if it is offering to punch people who have done me wrong.
“I love you, do you know that?” I say, my voice shaky, but there is meaning behind my words because it’s true.
Bailey and I would do anything for each other.
We grew up in Colorado, but she moved to Wyoming a few years back when she got the job at Lawless Farms as stable manager.
She also has her own stables on the property she bought a few years ago.
“I know it, babe. And I love you, too. You will get through this. I promise. Christmas in Wyoming, here you come!”
I know it’s only November, but Christmas will be here before we know it.
I can only hope to god she’s right, because right now I don’t know up from down.
I need to put today’s horrible events behind me. Tomorrow is a new day.
Veronica
I’m so sorry about what happened, Sadie. I had no idea
Veronica
Sadie, are you mad at me? I know you must be. But I didn’t know what was going to go on in there. I swear
Veronica
I feel so awful. Please talk to me
I wake up to ping after ping on my phone.
Forgetting to put it on silent is my own doing, but as I sleepily hold the phone up to my face and blur over the messages, I throw it down on the bed.
After I threw a salad together for dinner because I was so lethargic I couldn’t cook to save myself, I showered and crawled into bed to watch mindless reality TV.
I spent the remainder of the evening staring into thin air trying to get my head around what happened.
Finally, I must’ve found sleep. Though right now it sure as hell doesn’t feel like it.
My throat feels as dry as the desert. My skin hot and clammy. My body aching and sore.
I don’t know if I got run over by an imaginary freight train during the night, but I feel awful. Maybe I’ve got a cold coming on. Kelto didn’t come home again, and I know I’ll probably never see her again.
Mindy looks up at me and meows loudly as I pass her in the hallway.
I bend down to pick her up. “Poor baby,” I say, kissing her head as I set her back down.
“Would my little princess like to go to Wyoming for Christmas?” She purrs at my feet, and there go those tears again.
At least someone loves me, even if she is only after her food and a cuddle.
I drag myself to the kitchen to make a giant mug of coffee, pouring Mindy some dry food as I add creamer to my cup.
I hear my phone ping again from the bedroom as I roll my eyes and shuffle to the bathroom.
Go away!
The larger part of me knows it’s not Veronica’s fault what happened, and I genuinely believe she didn’t know.
That firm are sneaky bastards, Bailey is right about that.
You are just a number; they don’t care about years of loyal service and dedication.
However, I’m entitled to wallow in as much self pity as I want.
And I plan to do just that, at least for today, anyway.
I’ve always tried to believe things happen for a reason, and see the positive when bad things come out of nowhere. But yesterday was screwed.
When I bypass the ficus in the kitchen on my return from the bathroom, I smile. I’m glad I rescued it. No one would have watered it now I’m not there, so I technically saved it from an imminent slow death.
When I have my oversized Friends mug in my hands, I shuffle back to my bedroom to drink my coffee in silence where I hear my phone again.
Placing my mug on the nightstand, I climb back into bed, something I usually reserve for Sundays, not Tuesday mornings, and pick my phone back up.
Mindy jumps on the bed, making biscuits with her paws as she settles at my feet.
I quickly see Veronica has sent me a couple of more messages while I made coffee, and Bailey, too.
Veronica
I’m going to really miss you. Let’s catch up when the dust has settled
I guffaw at that. Because right now it’s the last thing I want. The dust can kiss my ass right now. I still reply, though, because she does sound genuinely sorry.
Me
Hey Veronica, it’s okay. I know you didn’t know. Don’t worry about it. I’m visiting my friend soon in Wyoming, maybe we can catch up after that?
It’s a good excuse regardless if I go to Alpine Falls or not. I flick to Bailey’s messages:
Bailey
Boy, have I got a plan for you… you’re gonna freak
Bailey
Are you there babe?
Bailey
Seriously! Text me when you wake up. I’ve had the best idea
A smile finds my lips because this is just like Bailey. While she may appear a little hostile to some people because she’s always direct and usually says what she thinks, she’s always been very supportive and sweet to me.
We are kinda opposites in just about everything, but I know I can trust her and she’d never do me wrong.
I take a much needed sip of coffee and let the smoothness settle, warming my body like a melody as I lay back into my propped up cushions.
Me
Hey, B. I just woke up. What idea do you speak of?
The gray bubble appears a sip or two of coffee later. I smile as I wait for her answer.
Bailey
Move to Wyoming!
I stare blankly at her message.
Me
Have you been inhaling too much of that clean fresh air?
Bailey
Ha-ha. I’ve been thinking about it all night. I couldn’t sleep
I grew up in Denver, Colorado, but my parents moved to New York when I was a teen for my dad’s job promotion.
We lived in Long Island for several years until I moved to New York City.
It was a different lifestyle to Colorado, but I grew to really love the city.
My folks just moved back home two years ago because they were sick of the city hustle, and Dad craved some acreage.
Ever since they left, it’s become more and more apparent that a part of me has always missed the scenic mountains and the fresh air.
And I know Mom especially felt guilty about moving so far away. I miss them.
Me
Pray tell
Bailey
Well… I saw my friend Izzy after we talked yesterday. Her family runs the Christmas tree farm I work at. They’re looking for an office gal to run things. I think you’d be a great fit
I read the message with wide-eyes. What in the world?
Me
The Christmas tree farm?
Bailey
Yup
Me
And you immediately thought of me?
Bailey
Sure did. You’re coming anyway for the holidays, so why not get paid for it? Find your feet, then we make a plan of action. You’d also be super close to your folks - you could surprise them. They go to Silver Pines every year, it’s only a short drive from here
Silver Pines is the next town over, only an hour away. I blink in rapid succession as the cogs in my mind turn over.
Move to Wyoming? How did this turn from vacay to staycay so fast?