Hour of the Moon

Chapter 5: Buried and Explored

The weekend had been a blur of fighting a hangover and finally unpacking when Monday arrived, and I was dreading it.

Stop thinking negatively, Keiran. I had no idea what to expect when I went to the Cherokee branch.

I was thankful for the mild weather, so I dressed in a cream-colored blouse, black slacks, and black Mary Janes.

I wasn't sure what the dress code was here, so I decided to be safe for the time being.

Savannah had texted me over the weekend and offered to give me a ride to work.

I had protested because I valued my independence, but I didn't know the area well enough to simply navigate it.

"Good morning!" As I sat in the passenger seat, her southern drawl became more pronounced.

"Good morning," I croaked, my mind clouded by a hangover haze.

"I see you had a night on the town! Don't be concerned! There is a cup of coffee in the cup holder. I wasn't sure whether you preferred light or dark roast, milk or creamer. I also purchased bagels for the office."

"You didn't have to do it, but I appreciate it."

"Keiran, no problem. This first week, I want your transition to be as easy as possible. I'm not sure how Amy managed the California branch, but here in Cherokee, we take quality storytelling seriously. She's told me you're a fantastic writer."

"Are you sure?"

That surprised me. Amy's final words implied that my writing was garbage.

Weird.

"Absolutely! I actually want you to take the lead on a story we've been working on. We'll go over it in depth at work."

I became concerned when she parked her car in the ground-level parking garage.

I was expecting it to be run down and shabby, but the oak grey birch wood flooring and pewter grey walls surprised me.

The corridor leads us to the elevator.

"We were extremely fortunate to have a five-story renovated building. We continue to push for a larger space, despite the fact that we are still a small branch of a larger publication."

We entered the elevator after she pressed the button.

"We're going to the editorial department on the fifth floor. The second floor is dedicated to advertising and circulation. The third floor is dedicated to production and printing. The financial/budgeting department is located on the fourth floor. But today I'd like to introduce you to the editorial staff."

"That sounds good."

I was terrified.

" There is nothing that you need to worry about, I told them all about you."

"You have nothing to be concerned about; I told them everything about you."

The editorial floor, like the lower level floor, was a massive space with an open office floor plan, which was unsurprising.

There were about a dozen people working, and the small number of employees made me feel relieved.

" Take that empty desk over there." She led me to a desk near an older man who was frantically yelling over the phone, his face flushed scarlet red.

He was in his fifties, judging by his receding hairline and wisps of graying hair.

His bushy brows furrowed in concentration as he tapped a pen frantically against the desk.