I'll Be Seeing You

The Day After the Night Before

            The next morning, she tried to slow her breathing. It was shaky at best. She couldn't have been late even if she tried - her anxiety had woken her up bright and early. There was no use fighting the inevitable. She had to face Tim and she had to do it today.

She had purposefully gotten to work early on Monday. She wanted to be the first one at her desk. It was better to be prepared than surprised. Putting her stuff down, she scanned the office like a hawk. Her row of cubicles was blessedly empty. She knew Jamie wouldn't be here. Now that he had decided to leave the company he was showing up later and later, if at all. He stopped caring and for once, that made Lydia's life easier.

"Morning Lyd." She spun around to see Tina walking down the aisle towards her desk. What was she doing here this early?

"Morning." She pushed away the thought that Tina might know anything and took the overly polite route. "Thank you again for the other night."

"Ah no problem. I'm so glad you could come. Seems like you were having a great time."

Lydia froze, could Tina know more than she had assumed?

"To be honest, I don't remember a lot at the end. The night got away from me."

Tina's eyes widened in surprise and then relief.

"Thank god, I'm not the only one. After I left you on the balcony everything gets murky. I woke up yesterday with a wicked hangover and $100 worth of Chinese food in my fridge. No idea how it got there. Did I go home with you?"

Now Lydia was even more confused. Why did she and Tina recall nothing?

"Honestly I'm not sure. I don't remember much after the balcony. I know I went out for drinks with Tim but I don't think you were with us. Then again, you might have been."

They were spared the nervous doom of unraveling the night's antics when Tim breezed in effortlessly. Lydia fought the nausea creeping up once again. Just the sight of him made her stomach turn.

"Ladies, good morning, good morning. Happy Monday." Lydia couldn't believe her eyes.

Behind Tim, came Jamie looking half asleep and miserable.

"Jamie, as I live and breathe." Tina's greeting was less sarcasm and more calming. Before he could answer, Bev walked in.

"Whoa, is that Jamie Chancellor? My god I forgot what you looked like." She winked at Lydia as she made her way towards the desk.

"Guys. It's too early. I'm not even awake yet." Lydia desperately wanted to catch his eye but he barely looked her way. He looked like he was still asleep. They hadn't spoken since breakfast and she had wrongly assumed she wouldn't see him for a while. He was submitting his letter of resignation within the week.

"So how was the party guys?" Bev looked around at Tim, Lydia and Tina. Tina glanced at Lydia before responding.

"It was good, definitely a fun night. Bit murky on my side to be honest. But still fun."

"Uh oh, murky is never a good sign." Bev looked concerned as she locked eyes with Lydia.

"What about you Lyd, did you have fun?" Lydia ignored Jamie turning his head to look directly at her. She felt unsure about her response. She desperately wanted to ask Tim what had happened. But she didn't want Jamie to think less of her.

"Yep it was good. Really fun."

Before Bev could inquire more, Tim cut in.

"It was a great night. Lydia even took me out for martinis after the party." He wasn't speaking to her. He directed his voice towards Jamie and Bev.