Today is Tuesday. I think for a second.
How long will it take to pack up my life and start over?
“Is Monday too soon?”
James lets out a chuckle. “Heck no.”
This is happening. It’s really happening. “I can’t wait.” I really can’t.
He responds, “You just get yourself down here. We’ll take it easy that first week, ease you in, then schedule in some clients for you. How does that sound?”
I near-whisper, “Amazing.”
“Well, if you need anything, anything at all, just call. I’ll give you my private extension, as well as my cell number.” He rattles of his private numbers before speaking quietly, “I know what it’s like to be new in town. Five years ago, that was me, so I’m going to make sure your transition is as painless as it can be.”
Wow. That’s so nice. I love my new boss! “Thank you, Mr. Whitt—” I quickly catch myself. “Thank you, James. I’m looking forward to a change in scenery.”
“See you Monday.”
I hang up and thank God my new boss isn’t a mean old asshole. Still holding my cell in my hand, I press number 2 on my speed-dial. She answers within seconds, “Hey, bitch, I was just thinking of you.”
I snort. “Oh yeah? Let me guess…you saw a woman with a beard and it reminded you of me?”
“Moldy cheese, actually.”
I laugh before sobering. “Nat, the reason I called—”
She gasps, “Someone died?!”
I shout an exasperated, “No one’s dead! Jesus C! What is it with this morbid family?”
Nat returns, “You went all serious on me. What was I supposed to think? You scared the crap out of me.”
“Sorry. I just need to ask you a favor is all.”
Silence...then suspicion lines her voice. “Which is?”
I try to keep the smile out of my own. “I need you to find me an apartment.”
I can almost see the confusion on her face. “Um, sweetie, wouldn’t that be easier for you to do, seeing as I don’t live in California anymore?”
I sigh. “I suppose so.” I pause a moment. “Of course, I don’t need an apartment in California. I need an apartment in New York. My new job is in New York, so finding an apartment in California would just be silly.” I grin. “Howdy, neighbor!”
A gasp, then a quiet, “Shut. Up.”
“I will not.”
Then louder, “You shut your lying whore mouth right now!”
A startled laugh bursts out of me. “Well, that got serious fast! No, no joke. I’m moving to New York and I need a place to stay. Like, soon…ish.”
I hear the shock in her voice. “How soon?”
“Like, Monday-soon.”
Another gasp. I hear slapping and a male voice mutter ‘Ouch’, and I just know she’s got the excitement slaps, Asher being the likely victim of the assault. “Oh my God, this is so awesome! I can’t believe you never told me you applied here, you lying sack of shit!”
We both laugh. My sisters and I talk to each other as if we hate each other, but the truth is, we love each other very much. We just have a weird way of showing it.