Authors: Crystal Smith
He didn't knock, just walked in slamming the door behind him. “You tell me where you were? You tell me where you were right now? I am not playing a game. I demand an answer!”
She stood there crying, “You demand an answer? Ha. That is fucking hilarious. What makes you think you deserve one?”
“I know what kind of game you’re up to. What did you think that you could move in here and take advantage of my kindness or were you just trying to sink your greasy little hands into my pocket book?”
She was outraged, and before she could stop herself she was yelling back. “You’re right, I wasn't sick, I spent the week with Jade. You remember him, right, you should. I spent a whole week with him, dancing, drinking, riding horses, sitting up late at night talking, learning and enjoying his company and I LIKED IT AND I LIKE HIM. And besides let’s see if I can get this right, and I quote, ‘Lois, I can walk my way into your pants, I don't date’, isn't that something along the lines of what you said to me.”
“I knew it, I was right, my generosity is over. From this point on, I will no longer help you in any form. You will repay everything you owe me, including the repairs to that truck. You will continue to work here and it will be deducted from your check. There will be no more free from me.”
“Is that what you really think? What did you expect me to do? Tell me,,,,, what? You didn't want me. You didn't want anything to do with me. You made that loud and clear. You only wanted to beat and fuck. Now that I went and had a good time you’re pissed. Here start with this.” She reached inside her desk and pulled out a box. She shoved the box at him causing him to grasp hold. She was so relieved that he just took the box and left. She watched him go back to his office.
Lois had been putting away a third of her pay in the box with a list of what she thought she may possibly owe him. She didn’t think that she would be giving him what she had under the circumstances she had.
*****
The next few weeks were only the start of it. She wouldn't look at him unless he spoke to her. She didn't smile anymore. Tom had tried to take her to dinner a few times, and even apologize but she very politely turned him down. He had blown everything. It was over. There was no turning back.
“Lois could you come in here please?” She stood and went to his office. It was getting easier by each day.
I can do this. I am strong. He can’t make me break and I have proved that more than once.
That was her daily saying every time she felt something about Tom.
“Yes.” She stepped in head held high, no illusion that he remotely disturbed her when he was around. She did good.
“I have to go out of town for a business trip. I was wondering if you could accompany me. I would need you to make all the arrangements for travel and stay and off course attend meetings with me and also take notes.”
“Ummm, I don't know if I can or not”
“What do you mean, you don't know if you can?”
“Well, you see, ummm, I don't know if that is a good idea or not.” She hesitated while she thought of what kind of excuse she could come up with next if that one didn't work.
“It would pay a bonus as well and it is part of your job. Both of us are adults, it shouldn't be a problem, right?”
“OK. Where are we going?”
“LA. Bring your swim suit. They have lovely beaches around there you could go to. We
will need to leave Friday morning around 10am. We
will need a 4x4 for the trip. Any questions?”
“Yes. Why are we driving? That will take us like a day and a half to get there. Why don’t we just fly?”
“Because the jet is being serviced for repairs and isn’t available. I don’t fly any other way. Makes me nervous. So can you make the arrangements?”
“I can get them made.” She stood and walked out.
Debating what in the world he would possibly need her for and how boring it would be until a thought popped in.
Wait a minute, I'm going to LA, and I am essentially going alone. I can spend time on the beaches. See the walk of fame. This could be great.
She made all the arrangements. Rented a Tahoe, reserved one suite and room for stay, made restaurant reservations for Tom and thought she would just grab whatever fancied her at the time. She packed her bags and dreadfully waited for Friday. The trip out was going to be a long one but she would enjoy herself at the beach the first chance she got.
Chapter Fifteen
“Are you ready to go?” Tom would be doing the driving and she was intending on reading a good book. It had been a long time since she was able to just relax and read a book. She used to love reading. The adventures, romance, and suspense she absolutely loved it. She didn’t get a chance to read while at Jade’s.
“Yes, I am. Let me just grab my bags.”
“Here let me help you.” Tom grabbed the suitcases and Mark already had Tom's.
“You two have a safe trip and I’ll see you in a week.”
“See ya Mark”
As the trip began they made small talk. Nothing spectacular just day to day talk. “So Lois have you ever been to LA?”
“No, I haven't had the pleasure.”
“Well it is a wonderful place to vacation, I try to go at least yearly. And the beaches are nothing like you have ever seen I assure you.” She couldn’t help but to think, please don’t bother.
Your word don’t mean jack shit to me
but she was able to maintain her composure.
“Good, I can’t wait to visit some of the places there. If I’m not too busy. I can only assume that I will have a lot to do.” She was almost harsh with her reply.
“How do you know you have a lot to do anyways?”
“Well to be honest, I don't know for sure what you have in store for me to do. But I can't see you bringing me on this trip if there wasn't a lot of work to be done, especially given the circumstances.”
“Your very smart Lois, you have almost everything figured out don't you? Except the circumstances you speak of are in the past.” But she didn't have everything figured out. She hadn’t figured out why he would bring her, she didn't understand what it was he was trying to do or make her do.
Tom continued to drive as she began reading her book. He attempted to carry on a conversation but all she wanted to do was read her book. She didn’t want to talk to him. Just wanted to enjoy the time she could before she had to be nice in front of others.
She watched him finally reach out and turn on the radio. Thank God. But then she couldn’t help but to hear him. He was singing. Quietly, but she could hear him.
He’s good. Shut up Lois. Point out another thing he is good at would you.
He did it without even knowing he was doing it. She found herself wishing he would sing louder so she could hear him better.
A couple of hours later and several chapters down again he had to open his mouth. “What are you reading over there?”
“If it means all the same, I will just keep that to myself. Let’s just say you wouldn't be interested in this. And besides if I'm telling you about my book, then I'm not getting to read it.” Tom smiled at her spirited words. Pissed her off again.
“Enough said then. Are you ready to stop and get something to eat?”
“Whenever you are ready is fine.”
“OK, what do you want to eat?”
“I'm not picky whatever you choose will be fine I'm sure of it.”
“I feel like some meatloaf.” She knew at the moment he said the words her jaw was sitting on her lap.
Bastard.
“I don't feel like any meatloaf, but I'm sure where ever we stop there will be something else on the menu besides meatloaf.” She didn't want meatloaf ever again.
“Have you ever been given any choices? Every time I ask you something, and your reply is whatever I want to do is fine, or okay. Just because I am your boss doesn't mean you don't have choices you know. And just because of what happened or didn't happen, however which way you want to look at it, doesn't mean you have to be skittish so to speak now.”
“Yes, I know, really, I'm lay back, easy going. I don't really care. And besides, choices aren’t really what they are cracked up to be now are they?”
“I know you are. But you know it is okay to go after what you want. To let others do what you choose. And choices can be whatever you want them to be Lois.” She didn’t respond. He so isn’t worth it. Not even a glance in his direction. He hadn’t given her a choice in the matter that made her heart ache and feel empty.
“Alright then, let’s see what we can find.”
She hated herself for being so laid back.
And how dare he mock those words at me.
I had gone after something I wanted and he led me to believe it was possible and tore my heart out and ran it through a shredder and left me in complete emotional agony
.
Tom pulled off the interstate and found a small Ma and Pa's diner, pulled into the diner and shut the Tahoe off. “I am assuming this would be fine, considering you’re not picky right?” Tom smiled.
“Yes this is fine, and yes you are correct, as I said before I am not picky.” She jumped out quickly. She chose a booth in the middle with other customers on both sides. Less privacy the better it would be.
“So Lois, what looks good to you?” She looked through the menu and had made her decision.
“I am going to have, pancakes, bacon, eggs, orange juice, and for desert, I think peach pie. I love peaches.”
“Are you gonna be able to eat all that?”
“Oh yeah, I can handle it just fine thank you.”
Pig, shit ass, fuck face.
She just couldn’t stop calling his low life douche bag self names.
“OK then, it’s just that I don't believe I have ever seen you eat with that kind of appetite.”
“Well, you will now.” She just wanted to eat and get back out on the road. She wanted to
bury herself in the
book and try to forget who was next to her.
“What about fresh peaches?” And without even realizing he had just spoke those words he continued. “I think I will have breakfast for supper, I'll have the same.” She just stared at him. They gave their orders to the waitress and Tom began his small talk again.
“So Lois, you never told me where you are from.”
“Well, I really don't like talking about it, but I am from a small town in southern Missouri. I grew up there and there really isn't much to do there, so I decided I wanted to leave and find bigger and better things”
“Do you ever go back to visit?”
“No, there is nothing left there for me, so I don't bother with it.”
“What about family, mom, dad, siblings?”
“I don't have any family left. My mother died when I was young, my dad was an alcoholic so he never knew if he was coming or going much less me. I was more of a loner and continue to be I think. When you are by yourself you don't have any family drama to deal with, you don't have any kind of drama your only responsibility is yourself. It’s just a lot easier that way.”
“I know what you mean. I don’t like people knowing a lot about me either.”
“I really don't want to talk about that part of my life. It wasn't the greatest part of my life and really don't want to discuss it, so you can explore it, if it’s OK with you I would much rather not go there. And besides what makes you so interested in my life now? ” She was almost demanding and an over powering anger was noted in her voice.