beige walls, the space was adorned with large, framed, black and white photographs on the wall depicting scenes of Hope City in the late 1800s. A bit incongruent with the open-concept office, she nonetheless loved the old photographs.
Like many modern offices, the cubicles were gone and the space was filled with desks and chairs arranged in clusters. She had lucked out that the desk given to her was in the corner near a large window. Craving natural light, she felt energized by her view while the angle of her desk placement kept others from staring over her shoulder constantly.
“‘Morning, Kimberly.”
“Hey, Sophia. Janine. Hey, Mikey,” she called out. Plopping her purse onto her desk, she leaned over and fired up her computer before heading to the break room. Her travel mug of coffee was empty, and she was ready for a recharge.
“Late night?”
Stifling a yawn, she nodded toward Janine. “Does it show?”
“Throw a little more concealer under your eyes and get another cup of caffeine in you. That ought to do the trick.” Cocking her head to the side, Janine smiled. “Tell me it was worth it?”
“Oh, yeah. It was worth it.” Walking back to her desk with the sound of Janine’s laughter ringing in her ears, she lost the battle to not smile as well. She had no plans to spill the beans on her night with the handsome detective. Even though it was only a one-night wonder, it still felt special, and she didn’t want to cheapen it.
Settling into her chair, she opened the digital brochure she’d been working on. While her background had not been in marketing, her job was not difficult. She helped design the Kilton Pharmaceuticals informational materials. Some were more technical, destined for physicians. Others were more educational, destined for schools and potential patients.
She enjoyed the creative aspect of the design, found the technical brochures to be mind-numbing, and particularly liked the information for school-aged children. Looking to the side, she smiled as Marcus settled at the desk closest to hers.
“What are you working on today?” he asked, turning on his computer as he sipped his coffee.
“I’m finishing the work on the STEM brochure.”
“What age group?”
“This one’s pretty basic. I think they’re going to use it for upper elementary and middle school. When I finish this, I have another one for high school.” Hope City Public Schools had asked Kilton for information for their Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics program. She had been excited to work on the project, hoping to reach some of the inner-city kids who might not know what study and employment opportunities were out there for them. “I just need to get John to approve it.”
“He will… he likes your shit. Mine? He always looks it over twice.”
Soon, the room was humming with low voices, soft music, and the constant tapping of fingers on keyboards. By lunchtime, she’d finished the brochure and sent it to the proofreader.
“I’m heading to the cafeteria, Marcus. You going?”
“The cafeteria? You didn’t pack like usual?”
“No. I… um, slept late and didn’t get to fix anything.”
“I’ve got a deadline to meet. Looks like I’ll skip lunch today.”
After grabbing a sandwich, chips, and a soda, she walked past the tables already occupied with several of her friends, choosing to go outside and sit on a bench. As the other voices droned on around her, her mind slipped to thoughts of Kyle. What did he think when he awoke this morning? Was he relieved that I was gone? Or, perhaps, a little disappointed. Second-guessing her decision to not leave her full name and number, she shook her head. It’s too late now. And anyway, if our paths ever cross again, then maybe I can call it fate.
After eating, she knew her afternoon would be spent battling the desire to lay her head on her desk and sleep. Approaching her desk, she halted as her name was called. Turning, she saw John heading her way. John Bennett, her direct supervisor, was in his late forties, his hair still dark although grey was creeping in at his temples and beard. The deep crinkles radiating from his eyes gave proof to lots of time in the sun. Plus, he often smiled, and she wondered if the creases were not smile lines as much as from squinting outdoors.
“Hey, John. If you’re looking for my STEM brochure, I sent it to the proofer before lunch.”
He nodded but waved his hand dismissively. “No, no, that’s fine. I needed to let you know that Sally Gleason