Falling For Charlie

Part 1 - Help Needed

Mary Anne's auburn hair was trickling out of the loose knot  that she had pinned to her head in soft curls falling down the nape of her neck, reaching the small curve of her back. Her reading glasses caught on the crook of her nose as she frowned looking over the figures that her business partner Kendra had faxed over to her this morning from Florence, Italy. Kendra was on her honeymoon and would not be coming back to New York for another month but they did communicate over the internet once a week. Mary Anne wondered if there would even be a business for Kendra to come back to in a month? Sadly putting the papers scattered all over her wicker table into a neat pile and taking her glasses off laying them on top of the papers, Mary Anne opened up the screen door to her veranda stepping out onto the hardwood floor barefoot. 

Feeling the sturdiness of the foundation and being enclosed by the December sun setting, hanging low in the sky as it went down slowly, calmly, Mary Anne smiled. The changing colors of the world around her were the only things that made her feel alive ever since Jeremy, her husband of ten years had drowned in a freak accident last summer while on a fishing trip with his buddies. The police report had concluded that there was no foul play just a random act of carelessness.  Thinking of that dreadful phone call on that otherwise peaceful night took Mary Anne's smile away from her. Holding back tears Mary Anne longed to feel Jeremy's arms around her now comforting her in the way he always use to when she needed someone to tell her it was going to be okay, but now she only had herself and that just did not feel like enough. She did not feel like enough. She needed to hire more help she decided as her thoughts returned once again to her business.  

Turning to go back into her apartment Mary Anne heard Jeremy in her head softly whisper that is my Mimi, not ready to throw the towel in just yet. Smiling at the nickname Jeremy had given her because he had said teasing her after there third date that she needed a diva name, so he started to call her Mimi the first night they had made love, the first night he asked her to be his girl, the first night her heart was no longer her own. Shutting the door to the veranda, Mary Anne closed her eyes and hugged her body tight. That is when she seen Jeremy's smile and knew he was guiding her after all, he had not left her. Yes she heard him whisper again, Seek help.

Sitting down in the wicker chair and opening the laptop Mary Anne thought about the savings that Kendra and her had accumulated when business was good, they hadn't touched it for years so with the interest they had enough to hire one more person for at least a year, Mary Anne figured in her head quickly. Hopefully that would be enough time to get the company back on its feet. They needed someone whom had fresh Ideas, someone who was different.  Mary Anne put her glasses back on and sent Kendra a private message that said "We need to hire help."

less than a minute later Mary Anne heard the notification ding and seen Kendra had messaged her back. "About Time!!! Finally! I will put out the ad on Tuesday. Make sure when you interview them you don't go soft though, promise me Mary." 

Mary Anne scowled at the screen wanting to give a clever answer but not coming up with anything since Kendra was right. Mary Anne knew she was a little bit laid back and gullible so she replied "I promise K :) How are things going with your love muffin? ;) " 

Kendra replied back "Love muffin indeed. I have never been this happy before Mary, this is the real deal. I feel so blessed."

Mary Anne tried to keep it together but the tears came fast and fierce wetting her cheeks and dripping on her skirt. Kendra was her best friend since elementary school and Mary Anne was glad that after a long string of unhappy couplings that Kendra had endured that now she finally had found her one and only, but Mary Anne was also human and she longed to do the things Kendra was able to do with her husband. It killed a piece of Mary Anne's heart knowing that would never happen for her again. No romantic getaways, no cuddling in the moonlight, no arguments and making up afterwards, sighing Mary Anne heard Jeremy again You can love again. No! Mary Anne echoed back in her mind, not anymore, you were my one and only love. Then like a light had been switched off Mary Anne felt the Jeremy in her head leave her once again all alone, she was left cold and numb.

 A few minutes passed before Mary Anne pulled herself together and wiped her face with a tissue replying  " So Happy for you K, you waited so long!"

Kendra messaged Mary Anne with loads of pictures that she had taken of her honeymoon causing Mary Anne to burst out laughing and she was filled with true complete happiness for Kendra when she said her goodnight to her an hour later. Before shutting off her laptop Mary Anne took one last look at her company logo and header on their website, KeKe & Mimi publishing firm - the go to place for all your publishing needs to get the word out and about, helping your work become art. Yawning again Mary Anne said a quick prayer that they find someone to help build this company up once again because she really loved her job, the company was her baby, she and Kendra both had given the business their life and to just see it die before their eyes and not try to stop it was not an option, now or ever. 

.........

Kendra's ad lays open faced up in an old ford clunker as Charlie drives toward the New York state line with big plans of winning over this Mary Anne person. Oblivious of the lies, deceit, and utter chaos Charlie is about to hash open due to the strong emotions of anger and pride. When Charlie talked with Mary Anne on the phone her clipped tone was curt with a bit of anxiety that Charlie found amusing and a bit funny, but that was about to change soon beginning with their very first meeting. Frowning Charlie looked at the cellphone on the leather seat like it was going to explode, wondering if Daniel was at home and debating on calling him. Charlie decides to wait and call Daniel later.

Daniel picks up the phone at 3 am to an overly excited and sleep deprived Charlie that is excitedly talking. "I am leaving for New York. Got to get out of Jersey, got to find some new land to sink my boots into."

Charlie with a big smile hears Daniel's groggy but surprised tone of voice "You are going where? when? You can't just up and leave !!"

Daniel fully awake stares at his cell phone listening with fuming anger at Charlie's last words to him in that early morning chat before the call loses its signal  " oh yeah, well I am already in New York actually bro. Take care of your own mess this time." then Daniel heard nothing but an annoying buzzing sound as Charlie's line went dead. 

Red faced with a big vein popping out of his head throbbing Daniel stares at the phone like it is a snake about ready to swallow him whole,  seeing Charlie his half sibling on their mom's side in his mind laughing at him. oh really he thinks to himself, well laugh now and cry later Charlie. I will have you bawling like a baby Daniel thinks to himself as he makes a phone call of his own. 

Coming soon Part 2- The Interview