“Why in the hell do you think it is all my doing? I don’t gossip you fucking nitwit. And as I recall these last few weeks, I have been the subject of said gossip because of you! So take your attitude and your unsubstantiated anger toward me and FUCK OFF! You’re lucky I love my job or would have dragged you by that weave up and down the halls of this office!” Steph shouted. Their argument was getting louder warranting a bunch of stares from their office mates.
Anna sucked her teeth, “If I get called into Human Resources for this nonsense, you’re the one who’s gonna get dragged!”
Steph shot out of her chair, grabbed her things, and stormed passed Anna. She wished this woman would just leave her alone and focus her energies on making someone else miserable. There was nowhere to go, and she didn’t have a car to take her anywhere else. Carless without a destination brought back her conversation with Bobby. She wanted to scream at the very idea that anything he gave her would be useful at this moment. This day was getting worse by the minute. Frustration consumed Steph until she found herself wandering in the park across the street from Pike Legal.
The birds were chirping and the sun was shining bright. There were children playing but all Steph could think about were ways to accidentally push Anna down the stairs without going to jail for attempted murder. Had they been in her old neighborhood, and she was still the girlfriend of one the most notorious drug dealers, this wouldn’t be an issue. One of the minions would rough her up without Steph having to lift a single finger.
The cell phone ringing in her purse distracted her from fantasizing about how much her previous life would serve a much better purpose for her today. Looking at the caller id, she wasn’t sure if she should answer it or not. Her better judgment told her that her boss calling was not a call to be ignored.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Pike,” Steph sighed.
“Are we back to that?” John questioned.
“My apologies, John. Good afternoon,” she corrected herself.
“Good afternoon, Steph. Would you mind telling me where you are at the moment?”
“I didn’t know that I had to report in to you, John,” Steph snapped.
“Ouch! You don’t. It’s just that there’s news going around and it’s a bit concerning,” he admitted.
“I apologize that the trivial nature of Anna and I’s personal quarrels are getting back to you. I had to get out of there before I threw her down a flight of stairs,” Steph huffed with a hint of sarcasm.
“Well I’m glad you decided against it,” John chuckled. “Are you coming back to work today? We have some issues that need clarification for Amanda this evening and I wanted to be sure that you were okay with working together. I know things aren’t easy for you here at the office. I haven’t exactly helped either but I want you to know that after everything dies down, you’re going to be one great senior paralegal.”
“I don’t even want to think about that right now,” Steph found it difficult keeping her emotions in check. She wanted to break down over the phone but held it together, “I will see you this evening, John. Make sure to have my steak ready. Medium rare please.”
“I know you’re joking but in all seriousness, we do have work to do. Normally, people get written up for walking off, some even get fired but I’ve called Mrs. Cartwright off and you’re free to come back to work no repercussions. Take the time you need, but again I tell you, DO NOT let the actions of others dictate how you move forward. I’ll see you later Ms. Allen,” John hung up before Steph could correct him. She stared at the phone for a moment wondering when their relationship had made this shift into friendship. There was always the witty banter, but the care and concern? That was new.
Steph continued to walk around the park until she had had enough of the happiness surrounding her. She wanted to sulk. So she returned to her office where her dear friend Charlize sat waiting for her.
“What the hell are you doing here?” Steph smiled unintentionally.
“I called you like a million times. You didn’t answer your phone so I started calling here endlessly. You know we have this thing where we can sense something’s wrong. Your boss Mr. Bailey finally answered and told me you were taking an extended lunch. I knew I had to get here,” Charlize explained. Steph knew she was full of shit so she sat down in front of her with a smirk on her face waiting for her to tell her the truth.
“Spill it!” Steph demanded from her friend.
“Okay, you accidentally pocket dialed me during that shit storm of an argument with that bitch. I heard enough to know I needed to get down here,” Charlize shrugged as she pulled out a thermos.
“Awe you brought me hot chocolate,” Steph cocked her head to the side.
“Better,” Charlize poured her a cup. Steph nearly choked as the vodka and cranberry burned her lips.
“Jesus Christ! I can’t drink this now! I’m still working and working even later since I took a three hour lunch! Thanks for coming down here, but I’m fine. I didn’t fuck her up. I didn’t push her down the stairs or into oncoming traffic, so I’m good. I promise. I love you but you need to go,” she commanded her.
Charlize smiled, kissed her friend on the cheek, left the thermos on her desk and walked out of the office. She was halfway to the elevator when she noticed the honey brown haired woman staring at her. She gave her a nasty look while rolling her eyes. Charlize spun on her heels and made a beeline toward the woman giving her dirty looks. Anna got nervous. She had managed to develop a reputation that she could look at whomever, however, without confrontation. Apparently, Charlize didn’t know the rules.
“You’re Anna aren’t you?” Charlize guessed.
“Yes, how could you tell?” Anna rolled her eyes.
“Well, I noticed you staring me down from the moment I set foot in Steph’s office. And as I was about to leave you couldn’t take that crap look off your face. So being the kind of woman I am, and coming from the place I’ve come from, and doing the work that I do, it’s very poignant of me to notice those who don’t seem to be too fond of me. Watch your step bitch. I don’t fucking work here. I don’t fucking like you. And you’re lucky that I have enough respect for this place that I don’t drag your ass up and down these hallways. Now that I’ve gotten that off my chest, have a nice fucking day,” Charlize sneered.
Anna scanned the floor of faces wondering if anyone had heard the way she was just spoken to. There were no whisperings carrying on. There were no glances directed toward her. No one heard. No one cared. But, as she watched the woman who had just served her a piece of humble pie walk toward the elevator, she wanted someone to say something. It was becoming more obvious to Anna that her attitude wasn’t doing anything for her or her career. She didn’t have a single friend that would defend her in the way Charlize defended Steph. It infuriated her.