Page 10 of The Boss Upstairs
“Thank you,” I say, feeling ill-at-ease. I’m sure he’s just being nice.
“I’m serious. Next time we go, I’ll let you know.”
I nod, thankful for his kindness.
“But we should probably start with coffee first,” he suggests, clearly asking me for a date. I’m shocked at first, but then I remind myself that he hasn’t just lost a spouse like me. Perhaps he’s more open to relationships than I am.
“Uh… sure,” I reply. It’s just coffee after all.
His face lights up. “Sounds like a plan.”
I smile politely.
“Cookie?” he asks, offering me one of his cookies. “I shouldn’t have taken two.”
“Um… sure,” I say, surprising myself.
I don’t know why I accepted the cookie, but now I need to scarf it down.
Just like I must put up with these stupid meetings for the foreseeable future.
I kind of hate my life sometimes.
* * *
Ethanand I are stretched out on the floor, working on a large floor puzzle, a cartoon illustration of a dog. We’ve done this puzzle countless times before, yet he never gets tired of it. He’s getting pretty good at it. He barely needs my help anymore. Thankfully, the pieces are the size of my hand.
I’m glad to see him busy and happy, but I’m really down. I’m not sure if it was the grief meeting, or the fact that I still haven’t heard back from Rosetta. Probably a little bit of both.
“Good job,” I cheer when he successfully locks two more pieces together. “You’re such a smart boy.”
He shoots me a playful grin. He has Donovan’s smile. He reminds me so much of his father, it hurts sometimes.
My phone rings, the familiar old-fashioned telephone ring which gets on everyone’s nerves. I’m unfamiliar with the number displayed. “Hello,” I say, curious.
“Hello, Honey.” The voice on the line is unmistakable. “Rosetta here. How are you?”
I stand and walk away from Ethan. “I’m great,” I tell her. “How are you?” I ask politely, eager to know if I got the job or not.
“I’m fantastic as always,” she says. “And I have great news for you. The job is yours if you want it.”
I do a quiet little dance, and Ethan eyes me dubiously. “Of course I want it,” I say, careful not to sound too excited, despite the fact that I could jump up on the walls.
“Perfect,” she says. “The Boss Man will be pleased.”
My heart skips a beat at the thought of the beautiful Boss Man.
“When can you start?” she asks. “How about next Monday?”
“I’m there,” I say. “What time?”
“Nine o’clock.”
“Great, perfect.”
“Okay, gotta go, Honey, but we’ll see you on Monday.”
“With bells on.”
As soon as I end the call, I jump up and down like a kid. Ethan stands up and joins me.
“Mommy got a job!” I sing. “Mommy got a job!”
“Mommy job!!!” he cheers, all smiles. “Mommy job!!!”
The sight of him, bouncing, happy as can be, brings tears to my eyes.
