Me:Must be missing something then.
Seth:Matthew, just tell her before we see her on 20/20.
Matthew:Nope, gonna let her learn her lesson the hard way. She threw down the gauntlet and challenged a bull. She’ll get the horns. Nothing I can do. May God have mercy on your soul.
Seth:Wanna start a pool on how long she can last?
Matthew:20 bucks says give her two weeks.
Seth:Make it a month, she’s stubborn as a mule.
Me:Fuckers, all of you.
The messages just make me more irritated, so I pocket my phone. I try to ignore the stares and glances that I’m getting from everyone around me, like they all know something I don’t.
“Sasa, are you in trouble?” Allie pops by my side, taking my hand.
I crouch down to meet her eye to eye. “No, sweet girl, why would you think that?” I’m hoping she doesn’t ask me anything else.
“Mr. Jackie keeps staring at you. I think he likes you.” I look behind her. Damn it, she’s right.
Instead of giving her an answer, I pick her up, settling her on my hip. “Allie, don’t worry about Sasa, she knows how to be her own hero. Come on, let’s go eat cake”. She squeals in my arms with excitement.
Chapter 3
Sundayismyworkand rest day. I know that’s contradictory, but it’s my chance to prepare for the week ahead. Granted, it’s also my ADHD talking. Planning and preparing for the week ahead tends to help reduce my anxiety as well. So, I have been trying to let Sundays be my prep day. The Lighthouse can be in chaos some days and be in blessings the next.
Lighthouse Foundation operates a domestic violence and homelessness hotline that helps out the community get connected with resources in the area. Lighthouse Foundation shelters fifteen families and gets them rehoused into their second chance homes. But unfortunately, we have many offices and buildings that inhibit the collaborative piece I feel we are missing in the agency. They took a chance with me as a hotline specialist then worked my way up towards the hotline supervisor and now here I am project manager for the hotline and soon to be a shelter. Needless to say, I have worked to make a difference in a community that needs it. Sure, all cities look pretty and shiny with their built up downtown, but it is the surrounding areas and the outskirts that no one wants to talk about and walk in, unless you are me. Needless to say, I will put others before myself and feel no shame with it.
It’s a peaceful day thus far. I'm sitting in my library office space, at my desk in the bay window. Alexa is playing myIrish Tavernplaylist, and I’m hammering out my work while listening to the music of my ancestors. Seamus lies on his back in his bed, warming his belly in the sunlight, while I take notes on the homeless shelters, budget meetings, and other responsibilities I have to look after this week.
It’s calming, Seamus’ little snores mixed with the quiet tavern music in the background. Then my phone starts to ding.Interesting, I thought I put that on work mode.I am tempted to swipe it open and I am already going down the rabbit hole. I have a new message; I’m getting more and more curious each second.
Unknown:Did you know that Bjorn means Bear in several languages?
I really should not entertain this, but this is tempting not entertain the idea.
Me:Well, Encyclopedia Brown, I did, in fact, know that. Got any more interesting facts?
Unknown:Pretty bold to be talking to a stranger.
Me:That’s right. You could be a stalker or a killer. I better not give away my address.
Unknown:Little Cub, you ain’t seen a real killer. I’m just being a friendly, country-viking, warning you to be careful of your surroundings. Smartass remarks and behaviors won’t float around certain people.
Something about the nickname little cub sends shivers down my spine. I question if it is an endearing term or a backslap comment. No one has really called me little cub; everyone seems to stay along the lines of my first name. Sasa, Tessie, Tess, Tessa, and the occasionally “T”. Something new, something interesting, perhaps I will let it ride on and see where it takes us.
Country-viking? Oh crap, him again. How did he get my number? Matthew? Seth?
Me:Is this your attempt at a threat, my friend? Because if it is, I ain’t shaking in my boots.
I add him to my phone as Leif Erikson, quickly naming the unknown number.
Leif Erikson:Oh darlin'. It’s not a threat, that I can promise you. Still waiting for you to destroy the ego you think I have. How about I take you out?
This cocky bastard.The words of my mother echo in my head. “If the person truly wants to date you or be with you, make them show you. Don’t go chasing.”
Me:Look, Leif Erickson. It’ll be a cold day in hell before I let you take me out. Now, good day to you, sir.