More Milk Chocolate, Marshmellow & Coconut!
Story: Jinxed! (?)
Piece: Just another day at the office ...
By Jillian Stephens
Prompts: Milk Chocolate #21 Consolation/Marshmellow#27 Promotion/Coconut #12 Guess Who
Word Count: 993
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Jessica's thoughs on her current situation in general
Notes: Story Summary/ Main Characters/ Index/ Prompt Lists/ Office Staff Bios
The day at the office was interesting nonetheless.
Half the office managed to drag their butts in hung-over. I got about five hours of sleep.
We didn't have to be at work until 10:30 today.
"Jess!" Jay called, as soon as he walked in, pointing a finger at me. "You deserve a promotion!"
"For what?" I asked with a smile.
"Bringing that guy -- what was his name. He was a fuckin' hoot!" He said, laughing.
Oh shit, they remember.
"Yeah, well. I called him this morning to see how he was and he barely remembers anything."
"I should say that dude was fuckin' ROCKED!"
Vee came up beside him, shaking her head and smiling. "Is he OK, Jess?" she asked
"Yeah, he said he was fine."
"So, do we have him booked for next year?" Jackie said as she joined us.
"Don't know yet."
"Boo! You had to call him this morning? What the fuck is that all about?" Jenna asked coming out of her cubicle.
"What do you mean?"
"You know...OK. So, you just brought him home last night. Let's just say...I wouldn't have to call him to find out his current condition this morning."
I could feel heat in my cheeks. "Well, he passed out anyway."
"No fun!" Jenna said with a laugh. "Coffee time!" she called.
"Fuck yeah!" Jay said. "I NEED to wake up!"
"Maybe I'll go down before the phone really starts ringing," I said.
"Jess, I was about to step out. I'll get it today -- sit. You take it regular, right?" Vee asked.
"Yes, please," I said as I began to dig in my purse.
"Don't worry about it," she said with a dismissive wave.
OK.
"Hey!"
I turned as I heard Alex yell.
"You're date last night was FUCKING CRAZY!" she said with a laugh.
I smiled. "I know."
"Please, don't remind us, "Mary grumbled from her cubicle. "He spilled my drink all over the floor."
"Come on, Mair, you got another one. It's not like you were paying," Alex called in to her.
"This whole office if fucking insane," she grumbled in response.
"So, honestly, Jess, what's the verdict on Doug?" Alex asked.
"Uhhh...he was a little too much."
"Yep, even for me he'd be a little too much," Alex said.
Yep. and I consented to go out with him again.
"She actually called Doug this morning," Jay said.
'Just to see how he was," I said.
"Probably still completely trashed I'd imagine," Alex said.
"He didn't sound very good."
At lunch, I received a call on my cell. It was my sister. She rarely ever called me.
"Hey, what's up?"
"So, did you go out with what's-his-face last night?"
"Yeah."
"How was it?"
"OK, " I lied.
"Truthfully," she said.
My tone sounded uncertain even to my own ears. OK. I'm not a good liar.
I told her everything.
"Fuck! I knew it!"
I told her about calling him this morning.
"What did you do that?"
"I was concerned."
"He completely fucked up your evening and made you look like a total asshole in front of everybody you work with and you're concerned about him? Fuck him!"
"Well, I don't think that way."
"Are you going to Mom and Dad's tonight?"
"Yeah."
"I'm skipping it. Keith wants to go out but I'm not up to it. Do you have any plans after?"
"Uh..."
"What?"
"I kind of have a date.." I reluctantly replied.
"With who? Oh please tell me -- no. Please tell me someone at work took pity on you last night or someithing and it's not Doug. Oh, Jess! Don't tell me you're going out with him again. "
"Yeah, it's him."
"Like I couldn't guess. Why the fuck would you go out with that guy again? He's obviously a drunken nutjob. No -- wait a second -- we're talking about you, so why should I be surprised. Why can't you be honest and direct?"
"I just can't hurt someone's feelings and he seems lonely."
"He's lonely because he is a drunken asshole who no one wants to be seen with after one date."
"Well, I couldn't say no."
"To a drunken buffoon."
"No."
"Are you really this stupid?"
"I'm not stupid. I just can't go around emotionally running people down the way you do. Sorry," I snapped.
"How could you be defensive about this? I'm right and you know it, Jess."
"Just let me do what I'm gonna do. I'm not like you."
"No, you definitely are not and you're going to get stuck with this nutjob because you don't have the guts to tell him to fuck off."
"Yeah, so I'm the one who's going to suffer -- not you -- so why do you care?"
"I'm just looking out for you, Jess."
Then, I felt horribly for way I spoke to my sister. "I'm sorry. I wish I could be more direct, I just can't, Jen."
"Look, if you have any problems with this idiot tonight, call me, OK?"
I sighed. "I don't think he's that bad."
"He sounds like a douchebag. I'm just wondering what else is wrong with him."
"Well, if I have any problem I can take care of it."
"Call me. Just say you'll call me."
"I will, Jen, OK."
"Sure. Take care, Jess."
"You too, Jen."
I went back inside the office. Chris didn't come in at all that day. Apparently he was too hung over today to really do much of anything. He didn't have any appointments anyway.
I moped around the office for most of the day. My sister had a point. I always got stuck with men who weren't good for me until they decided to break it off.
Later in the afternoon, Jay hopped up on my desk and did his best Doug impression. The office started cheering him on for the most part and I couldn't help but join in the laughter. It made me feel better.
Story: Jinxed! (?)
Piece: Age 30 and...am I counting?
By Jillian Stephens
Prompts: Milk Chocolate #12 Dignity/Marshmellow#26 Departure/Coconut #20 I approve this message
Word Count: 336
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Jessica's thoughs on her current situation in general
Notes: Story Summary/ Main Characters/ Index/ Prompt Lists
Was my pride hurting by being 30 and single? Was I lacking in dignity due to desperation, willing to date anyone no matter how wrong for me he is?
Was I doing something I truly believed I should by going out on another date with Doug. While my sister always believed in brutal honestly, sometimes I think it is necessary not to be as completely honest. Besides, some hope lived inside me that Doug was the answer to my love spell and that he's like an old house, with a great foundation just in need of some repair and I can move right in.
Life is a learning experience, which is why all relationships need a little work, right? This could perhaps be the start of learning experience, a journey that may end with exactly what I need and want in my life right now.
I'm going out with Doug and that is my final decision. I told myself.
That night, Mom and Dad of course went fishing for details on my date with Doug. Of course, Mom could sense I wasn't being honest and I told her the truth.
Dad burst out laughing as I finished my story.
Mom looked at me with her mouth gaping. She shook her head. "Angelique," she said with a cocked brow and started laughing. "Leave it up to her to fix you up with a total wacko. I swear, she's a sweet kid but she doesn't know her ass from a hole in the ground sometimes."
'Mom!"
"I gotta meet this guy, Ginge," Dad said. "Hey, Pumpkin, would did you think -- hero or a zero?"
"I was a little overwhelmed, Dad. I like to have a good time but..." I blinked, thinking great I have a date with this guy later.
"You wouldn't go out with him again, would you?" Mom asked.
"Hey, Ginge, so what if she did? He likes to party?"
"I called him to see if he was OK."
"You are going out with him again, aren't you?"
"Ummmm yeah, I am."
"So?"
"Great," Mom said sarcastically. "Call if you need a ride home. We'll be up."
"I gotta meet this guy!" Dad said, laughing again.