Book of my short stories, which include
Cruisin', Kwelanga of Days, Arguments,
Three Weeks Into an Era, 24 Hours, Finger Rings, Baby Fever, On the Hotline, Can You Handle It, Strawberry Shortcake, Open Auditions, Mirror Mirror, Crowning Glory, Catf...
No matter how the days passed, they were all the same and Erik was as numb as his fingers clutched around an iced coffee. Maleah loved iced coffees. But the fall, it had swept her away from him and returned empty-handed.
It was 3 PM on a dreary fall Wednesday afternoon which could be seen through the floor to ceiling, wall to wall paneled window in the conference room. There was a slow, light rain.
"Have you considered the current socio-political climate, Mr. Gregorio," Erik asked, having zoned out of James Gregorio's commercial presentation with subtle tones of racism against Indigenous Americans.
"I.. Excuse me?"
"You're telling me with all of your education you think this is smart business? Has it dawned on you at all, the influence of the BIPOC American audience over social media and current trends? A commercial this racist? In 2022? Mr. Gregorio, you are out of your rabid ass mind presenting this to me."
His wheels turned and went flat considering Erik approved of his idea earlier in his office. The shark-faced Baldwin clone went red with anger and embarrassment. His ears matched his oxblood tie. It made Erik's day to piss him off. It was the only reason he kept this lone white man employed in his company.. to step on his neck for a spot of workday relief and entertainment. He needed the distraction.
"Political correctness is the trend for this generation and I assure you our audience is diverse, Mr. Gregorio," he peered over his rimless frames. You'd have me make the biggest mistake of the fiscal year in the fourth quarter. That's all, Mr. Gregorio, you can have a seat. Ms. Williams, please proceed with your idea."
She grinned at the packet in her hand and packed as the meeting was over. Erik had another meeting via video conference in his office, but he wasn't mentally present. The small framed photo of Maleah's smiling face watched him from his desk as he spoke and he absentmindedly rolled a black beaded lizard keychain she'd made for him in his fingers.
"Mr. Stevens are you alright," CEO Bradford asked from the top right of the screen."
"Oh, yeah," he wiped his eye with the initial handkerchief from his pocket. "Allergies," he sniffed. "It's that time of year."
"Allergies," Highman agreed. "Bad year for it, I have to keep Flonase or else I feel like a cokehead with all the sniffing I do."
Erik smirked, but he still wasn't paying much attention.
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"Which colors do you like better," Maleah held two very, very different palettes on opposite sides of her youthful glowing face looking to Erik to choose, one was a Morphe that had many different colors and the other was a PIXI that had similar peach and gold colors. Erik did not care about the colors, the palettes, or makeup in general. She didn't need any of it in his mind. Her excitement was the solo thing to make the trip worth it. He couldn't help but think she was the cutest thing walking.
