3. Work Buddies
Chapter three
Work Buddies
The next few months settled into a routine that neither Miko nor Meca questioned.
Every morning began with the same greeting.
Every afternoon ended with one of them saying, "See you tomorrow."
Somewhere between those mornings and afternoons, friendship quietly found a place to grow.
The workload had become heavier than usual. Deadlines were stacked on top of one another, supervisors wanted everything immediately, and nobody seemed satisfied no matter how much work got done.
It was one of those weeks when everybody in the office looked tired.
"You look like you need a vacation," Meca joked as Miko dropped into her chair one morning.
"I need more than a vacation," Miko replied. "I need people to stop creating problems for other people."
Meca laughed.
"Now that's impossible."
"Tell me about it."
Before either of them could say another word, another assignment landed on their desks.
"There they go again," Miko sighed.
"You ready?"
"I ain't got no choice."
"Come on," Meca smiled. "We'll knock it out."
That became their rhythm.
When one person felt overwhelmed, the other stepped in without being asked.
If Miko finished her work first, she'd help Meca.
If Meca noticed Miko struggling with a difficult assignment, she'd quietly pull up a chair and say, "Move over."
Neither woman kept score.
They simply helped each other.
It didn't go unnoticed.
One afternoon, Jemika leaned over another coworker's desk while watching Miko and Meca laughing about something across the room.
"They sure have become little work buddies."
"They get the job done," another employee replied.
"Mmm-hmm."
Jemika smiled to herself.
"I'll keep watching."
Across the room, Miko had no idea she was being watched.
She and Meca were arguing over which fast-food restaurant had the best fries.
"Ain't nobody beating McDonald's fries," Miko insisted.
"When they're fresh," Meca answered.
"They're always fresh."
"You lying."
"I am not."
"You are."
Both women laughed.
The conversation had absolutely nothing to do with work.
And somehow...
Those were becoming Miko's favorite conversations.
Later that afternoon, a frustrated customer raised their voice at Miko over something completely beyond her control.
Miko remained professional, apologized, and resolved the situation, but the interaction stayed with her.
As soon as the customer walked away, Meca walked over carrying two bottles of water.
Without saying a word, she handed one to Miko.
"You okay?"
Miko twisted the cap open.
"I'm good."
"You sure?"
"I'm just tired."
"I know."
Those two words meant more than Miko expected.
Not because Meca had solved anything.
Because she noticed.
Most people walked past someone having a rough day.
Meca stopped.
As the workday came to an end, the office slowly emptied.
People grabbed purses, jackets, lunch bags, and headed toward the parking lot.
Miko gathered her things and noticed Meca doing the same.
"You heading out?"
"Yeah."
"You got a long drive?"
"Long enough."
Miko laughed.
"I know that feeling."
They walked toward the exit together.
Outside, they stood beside their cars for another ten minutes talking about everything except work.
Movies.
Family.
Childhood.
Dream vacations.
Favorite foods.
It felt easy.
Neither woman was trying to impress the other.
They were simply enjoying each other's company.
As Miko climbed into her car, her phone buzzed.
She smiled when she saw Jayson's name.
She answered immediately.
"Hey."
"What's up?" he asked.
"Just leaving work."
"I'll hit you later."
"Okay."
The call ended.
Again.
Miko stared at the phone for a second before placing it on the passenger seat.
She didn't realize Meca had noticed.
Not the conversation.
Just the look on Miko's face afterward.
As Meca drove home that evening, one thought quietly crossed her mind.
"I hope whoever she's with knows what he has."
She smiled to herself and shook her head.
It wasn't her business.
Miko was just...
A good woman.
And good women deserved to be appreciated.
Neither of them realized it yet.
But somewhere between helping each other through impossible workdays and laughing over French fries...
Friendship had quietly become the strongest part of both their workdays.