19
“I still don’t understand why she’s letting you go. You’re, like, the perfect assistant.”
“That’s just it. I’m not. Or at least, if I ever was, I’m not anymore.”
Macy shakes her head in disbelief. “Why not?”
I explain to Macy everything that happened, including everything that happened with Scott. She nods along, listening quietly.
“I texted Scott this morning and asked if we could meet up to talk this evening,” I finish.
“You had a horrible weekend,” she says. “I’m so sorry, Lucy. If I had known, I would have—”
The door to the front opens, and the clacking of Monica’s high heels echoes throughout the room. Macy bends down to give me a quick hug, then heads back to the front. I take another breath, then turn back to my laptop.
Monica stops at my cubicle, glancing around. “Where’s Melanie?”
“She still has one more week at her current job, so she’s only staying until three in the afternoon each day this week,” I answer.
“Oh, that’s right. Can I see you in my office for a minute?”
“Sure.”
I grab my notebook and follow Monica to her office, trying to keep my expression and tone as cheery as usual. Once we’ve settled in our respective seats, Monica looks at me.
“So, what did you think of Melanie?”
What do I think of my replacement?
“She was a bit overwhelmed today, but she’ll get the hang of everything. I’ve actually met her before, a little over a month ago. I think she’ll do a good job. She’s definitely determined to do her best.”
“Good. Do you know what you plan to do next?”
I’m surprised by the question. Monica has never taken any interest in my personal life.
“Not as of yet.”
“You’ll find something,” she says. “You’re very capable. That’s why I offered you a job when you were working at that coffee shop.”
I sit in silence, not sure how to respond. Monica is still speaking directly to me, no laptop, phone, or notebook in sight, nothing else pulling her attention away.
“Have you ever noticed that in fast food jobs like the one you had, there’s a lot of turnover?” she asks. “It’s not true for all fast food workers, but, in general, people only work in places like that for less than two years, just like you did. Do you know why?”
I think for a moment, bewildered by this conversation. “I’m assuming it’s because they view it as a stepping stone to the career they want.”
Monica nods. “Right. They work in those positions until they’ve outgrown them.”
Where is she going with this?
“I hired you from The Roast because you’d clearly outgrown it. I could see you were capable, a hard worker, and intelligent. You took initiative. I spoke with your manager at the time, and he confirmed all that. When I hired you at the beginning, there was a steep learning curve, and I hoped you would buckle down and make it through, because if you could, I knew you would make an excellent assistant.”
“On the flip side,” she continues, “I also knew that someone like you, someone that would make an excellent assistant, wouldn’t last here forever. You’d outgrow this position eventually. I’m happy I had you for as long as I did. Please train Melanie well.”
I blink, completely thrown off by this side of Monica I’d never seen before. Unexpected emotion wells up in my chest and threatens to pour out of my eyes, but I swallow it down and nod.
“Thank you. I will.”
Monica gives the slightest smile, then pulls out her laptop, all business again. A new perspective shifts my mindset, and a wave of gratitude rushes through me as I think about the ways this job challenged me, changed me, forced me out of my comfort zone, and helped shape me into who I am now. I wasn’t always so unhappy with my work. Maybe Monica is right; maybe, I’ve just grown enough that it’s time for me to go.
I’m happy for the time I had here, too.
Back at my desk, I take care of the remaining tasks for the day. As I’m cleaning up, preparing to go meet Scott, I’m surprised to see Jeremiah standing at my cubicle.
“Jeremiah? Um… hey,” I say.
“Hi,” he says, shifting his weight awkwardly. “Macy told me about how you lost your job.”
“Oh. Yeah.”
“I’m sorry,” he says. “That sucks.”
“Yeah,” I nod, also feeling incredibly uncomfortable. “But, it’s okay. Change is a good thing, right?”
He shrugs. “Sometimes.”
“…Yeah.”
A few more seconds of silence pass before he finally speaks. “I’m sorry. For the things I said. It wasn’t cool.”
My spirits lift a little. “It’s okay. Really. I’m sorry, too. I should have realized…” I let out a sharp sigh and shake my head. “Well, I’m too late now. But, for what it’s worth, I’m sorry.”
“That’s okay. You didn’t know.”
“I’ve missed seeing you around,” I say.
“Same here.” He gives me a sad smile, and I know the truth. We can’t really be friends anymore. Sure, we can be friendly, kind, polite. But we can’t hangout, or just spend time talking, or text, or grab lunch. That time is over.
It’s time to move on.
My eyes sting with tears, and I huff out some air as I smile. “I’m gonna miss you, dude.”
His eyes sparkle with tears as well. “Yeah, me too.”
“Can I please give you a hug?”
“Yeah.”
I hug him, sniffling as I do. “You’re a really good friend, you know? Even though you drove me crazy, like, ninety percent of the time.”
He grins. “I know.”
“Thank you for everything, Jeremiah.”
Scott and I agreed to meet at The Roast after I got off work. When I arrive, he’s already there.
He stands and waves when he spots me.
Okay, he’s acknowledging me. That’s a good sign, right?
I walk over to him, reciting my apology over and over in my head like I’m not going to forget how to speak English and explode into gibberish when I reach him.
“Hey, Lucy,” he says, a hint of nervousness in his voice.
“Scott, I… I…”
Oh no. Here comes the word vomit. I stop myself, taking a breath and attempting to calm my nerves before I speak.
“I’m sorry,” I say. After all that planning, all I get out is two words.
“It’s okay,” he says. “I’m sorry, too.”
“No, it’s not okay.” I shake my head, squeezing my hands together. “It was unfair of me to get so angry at you. I know you were just trying to encourage me.”
“Yeah, but I should have thought about what I was saying.” He winces, recalling his words. “Losing a job is scary, and I should have listened to you and your feelings instead of telling you how you should feel.”
I look up at him, and he gives me a small smile.
“I know it’s wrong, but… in that moment, I wanted to blame you,” I admit. I look down again in shame, unable to meet his eyes anymore. “I wanted to say losing my job was all your fault, but it had nothing to do with you. You helped give me the courage to do what I’ve known I needed to do for awhile now. I just… I just didn’t expect to lose my job for taking some of my life back, you know?”
He reaches for my hand, taking it in his and drawing my gaze back to his eyes again. “I’m sorry that you lost your job. Really. I don’t think it was fair.”
I squeeze his fingers in mine, offering him a half hearted smile. “It’s okay. I think you were right. I think it’s for the best.”
“Anybody would be lucky to have you working for them. You know that, right?”
“Thank you.”
“I mean it,” Scott says. “And, I’ll help you find another job, or whatever it is you want to do. I’m with you, Lucy.”
I smile again, but this time, it’s genuine. My eye start to sparkle with tears, so Scott pulls me into a hug. I take a deep breath as I rest against his chest, the rollercoaster of emotions from the past four days speedrunning through my insides. I may have lost my job, but I’ll find another one. I may have lost a friend, but I’m grateful for the time I had him. I may have treated Jessie unfairly, but she forgave me. Scott… he forgave me, too. We’re okay.
I’m okay.
Despite everything, I’m okay.
When the tears stop, I take one last shuddering sigh. Scott releases me, worry still etched into his expression.
“You okay?”
I smile and nod. “I am. Really.”
He studies me for a few more moments, then smiles too. “Want some coffee?”
“Sure.”
I feel freer than I have in a long time.
I sit down at the table, waiting for Scott to return. He comes back from the counter with two hot coffees in to go cups and sits across from me.
“So,” he says, “you’re training your replacement?”
“Mhm,” I nod. “You’ll never guess who it is.”
“Who?”
“Melanie.”
“Melanie?” His eyebrows rise. “You mean, the wedding coordinator?”
“Yup.”
“That’s…”
“Weird, right?” I lean forward on the table. “You should have seen Macy’s face when she walked in!”
Scott laughs. “You know, it’s pretty nice of you to stay on another month to train your replacement. Usually, when you’re let go from a position, that’s it. The boss doesn’t have a right to dictate how much longer you’ll stay, or to expect you to train your own replacement.”
I shrug. “I don’t want to leave Monica high and dry.”
“You mean like she did to you?”
“Besides,” I say, ignoring his quip, “I’d rather spare Melanie being tossed in the deep end like I was when I was hired. She’s nice, and it’s a tough job. I want to try to prepare her as best I can.”
Scott nods, his expression softening. “You’re really nice.”
My cheeks redden as I shake my head in disagreement.
“So,” Scott continues, “do you have any idea what you want to do next?”
“I have to find a job, but…” I hesitate for a moment, slightly embarrassed. “But, I’m also going to give writing a real shot. You know, in my free time. And I won’t give up if I’m bad at it at first, or when I make mistakes. I’m… I’m really going to try.”
“That’s awesome!” He grins so happily it makes me feel like my heart might just burst. “I can’t wait to read what you write!”
“My writing could suck,” I say, my lips twitching upward as I try to hold back a smile. “I could be the worst author in the world, with the crappiest stories ever.”
“You could be,” Scott says, mirroring my fake sobriety. “But I know you. You’re going to be an amazing author. I mean it.”
“It’s… going to be fun finding out,” I smile.
“Heck yeah it is!” Scott says this a little too loudly for the café, throwing up his fist in a cheer. I blush as everyone else in the room shoots strange glances our way, but I can’t help laughing.
“I love you!”
I freeze. I said it without thinking, more as a figure of speech than a real statement. I lock eyes with Scott, my cheeks still red, but now for an entirely different reason. His eyes are wide, surprised by my confession.
Should I take it back? Crap, what do I do? Why did I do that? I totally freaked him out!
“I love you too, Lucy.”
I look at him, snapped out of my panic at his words. Now Scott is the one who’s blushing, his face bright red all the way to his ears.
“Really?”
Oh my gosh, Lucy, the man just confessed and THAT is your first response?
He blinks, thrown off by my question. “Yeah.”
“Um, I think I love you too,” I say.
“Wait,” Scott’s eyebrows furrow, “you think? I thought you just said you did!”
“No, I did! It’s just, well, um, I’ve never actually been in love before so I don’t really know how to tell if I actually am, but, I’ve also never felt this way about anyone but you before, so I’m pretty sure I…”
For the love of all things holy, Lucille, SHUT UP!
“Yes,” I nod aggressively, “yes, I love you, Scott.”
Scott is now a mix of bewilderment, embarrassment, and amusement all wrapped into one. He still looks like a tomato, as I’m sure I do, too. Neither of us seems to know what to do now.
Scott glances at his watch, but I can tell he doesn’t even see the time. “Wanna grab dinner?”
“Yes, let’s!” At this moment I will do anything to move our conversation away from my total blunder.
He stands, reaching out for my hand, which he holds all the way to the car.
I still might not know what I’m doing. Things get a little messy and confusing sometimes. I still don’t have a perfectly laid out plan for the future.
That’s okay.
I think the present is pretty great.
Nine Months Later
“What are we doing?” I ask. Scott surprised me with this day trip; he won’t tell me where we’re going, or what we’re doing.
He parks in front of a secluded beach with a beautiful view. The wind has died down to a cool breeze, and the waves are gentle, lapping the sand softly. There are a few people scattered across the beach, plus one dog, but everything is still and quiet.
“It’s so peaceful out here,” I say, leaning forward to get a better look through the windshield.
“You like it?”
I nod.
“Good,” he grins. “We’re having a picnic.”
My eyes widen in excitement. “That’s a great idea! We got here just in time for the sunset, too!”
“Yup,” he smiles.
We hop out of the car. Scott opens the trunk and pulls out a picnic basket and a couple of water bottles, then hands me the blanket. I chat happily with him as we make our way out to the beach, trudging across the shifting, sandy surface. After a few minutes of deliberating, we finally choose a spot. Scott drops the basket and bottles, hands me the edge of the blanket, and then, holding the other edge, walks across from me. We spread it out, and he kneels down, holding it in place against the breeze.
He looks up at me. “Wanna grab the basket from behind you before you sit down?”
“Sure!” I turn around and grab the basket, then promptly drop it in surprise as I turn back around to find Scott, no longer kneeling on both knees, but kneeling on one, with a small ring box in his hand.
My hands fly to my face as I gasp. He smiles, his cheeks red and expression filled with nerves and excitement and a healthy dose of fear.
“Lucy, I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
My eyes are starting to sting from the happiest tears in the world. I’m hardly registering what he’s saying, even though this is exactly the sort of moment I know I’ll want to remember forever.
That’s when I notice: the ring box is open upside down.
My elation turns to ill concealed laughter. Scott blinks, looking incredibly confused, and now even more worried. I point to the ring box breathlessly, still laughing. He looks down and turns an even darker shade of red, quickly flipping the box upright to reveal the most beautiful, perfect ring I’ve ever seen.
He clears his throat. “Will you marry me?”
“Yes!”
Relief washes over him like a wave, and his entire body relaxes as he smiles and stands up, pulling the ring from the box. I hold out my left hand, which is trembling from adrenaline, and he slips the ring on.
“It’s perfect,” I breathe.
He grins. “You like it?”
“Absolutely. I love it.”
I throw my arms around his neck in a hug, and he hugs me back, spinning me around. Everything feels like a blur. Somewhere nearby on the beach, a few random bystanders clap and cheer for us, wishing us well. Scott grins at them and throws a triumphant fist in the air, making me laugh again. After awhile, we settle down on the blanket, eating our picnic dinner. I’m eating much slower than I usually do, as I’m spending most of my time admiring the sparkling ring on my finger.
As the sun continues to set, we chat about anything and everything: this day, the past ten months, the day we met, and, most of all, the future.
“I finally finished writing the first draft of my book last night.”
Scott turns to me, his sunshine smile even brighter than usual. “Seriously? Lucy, that’s amazing!”
“I hope so,” I say, my brow furrowing. “It could suck. Won’t know until someone reads it.”
“It won’t suck. I guarantee it,” he says. “You’re too amazing for it to suck.”
I smile, leaning over to kiss his cheek. “You’re sweet.”
“Did you pick out a title yet?”
“I think so,” I say. The gorgeous sunset over the beach paints the skies a pinkish hue and casts a warm glow over Scott’s features. His hair is ruffled by the wind, and the air is filled with the smell of seaweed and salt. He glances out over the waves crashing on the shore, giving me a view of his profile. In moments like this, his level of handsomeness is off the charts.
“So, what are you gonna call it?”
I shake my head. “Mm-mm. Can’t tell you until I’m sure.”
“Come on, Lucy. Maybe I could help you brainstorm a better title if the one you came up with isn’t any good.”
“Hey!” I grin as I sock him in the arm. He laughs.
“Fine,” I say, sitting back in my spot. “I was thinking of calling it, Dear Patience, Sincerely Lucy.”
He doesn’t say anything. I look over at him, quirking an eyebrow. “That bad, huh?”