I wasn’t looking forward to work today and seeing Felicia. I know that Mark was going to have a talk with her. She surprised me by coming in about an hour earlier. That was no fun. I set about doing my thing, my job, my chores when I passed by a conference room where I could see Mark and Felicia having a discussion at the table. I just kept on going, I didn’t linger.

I had enough to do anyhow. She came out of the meeting and immediately asked my help. I was distant yet accommodating. It was a massive clean up for the office since we had major toupees coming in on Friday. I meant big wigs. Big enough that I can’t say who they were lest I scotch the deal.

Felicia was subdued understandably. The two of us threw out a lot of crap that hadn’t been used or touched since McMann and Tate moved into this space two years ago. She was trying to be friendly, so I guess her talk with Mark hit home. I’d like to imagine that it went like this,

Mark: You gone through so many receptionists through the beginning of the year and now we’re in danger of losing another one. I tell you Felicia, if John walks out, you’ll be right behind him.

Felicia: I know I’m sorry. I didn’t realize John was the best thing that’s ever happened since the Protestant Reformation.

Mark: Well he is beeyatch.

Felicia: Oh no you didn’t!

And so on. You get the picture. The day progressed with my work piling up because I was working with Felicia on cleaning the junk out. As morning turned into afternoon, she mentioned that she couldn’t apologize enough and wanted to buy me lunch. I mentioned that I was going out but she insisted on asking what I wanted. I told her I usually have a salad.

Soon enough salad and chicken and a few other accoutrements appeared on my desk. I noticed two plates and a pair of utensils. She ordered lunch.

We sat, we ate and we talked. She reminds me of someone who everything is going wrong for. Her melanoma, her sick dog, and also her brother was in a car accident. Hmmm. Déjà vu.

If she claims her brain is bleeding I will have to pull her mask off to reveal the dreaded Bleedin’ Hope.

I told her about how I felt about the office, being cut off from most everyone. How some people are nice, and some people are so fucking cold, butter wouldn’t melt in their mouths. You hear me, Mina Theta?

She agreed and thanked me for doing a good job and for being on board. She apologized several times for the outbursts yesterday. We discussed the big wigs coming in tomorrow, about how busy it will be next week. It was actually very productive. I showed her my calendar on my computer and she didn’t even know she had one on her computer. She asked if it was able to send her info. I told her they were called invites and sent her one.

As the afternoon progressed I told her that we should have lunch once a week to discuss what is going on and she agreed. She made a suggestion to have coffee and talk about the upcoming days events in the morning. We’ll see about that.

It was busy enough that 6:00 came fast. I saw Felicia as I was about to go and asked her if there was anything else she needed.

“A hug.”

I hugged her and said good night.