change me

chapter 2

Sept 9. 2001

Today was my first day back at work since the incident. I wasn't ready. Never thought I would be ready again.

I work at the World Trade Center. I've done it for only 3 years and I'm not sure if I'm into it anymore. It's not the same without my husband working here with me.

Today, I walk in and I smell the same old smell of Cinnamon and Toothpaste. The clerk at the front, April, welcomes me with a smile. Anyone could tell it was as fake as the hair on her head.

"Welcome back Grace! We missed you!" She smiled.

"Good to be back." That was my first lie.

"While you were gone, we gave your floor to the new guy working here. Is that okay?"

"Fine." That was the second.

"We've moved you to floor..." She said as she checked the many files sitting on the wooden cabinet, "106! Only if that's fine with you." April said this with a tone that she could've just said, "Take this floor or you can't have your job!"

"Yeah. That's good."

"Okay great! Here are the keys to your office!"

I head over to the elevator and push the button. While I wait for the elevator, I see the engraving on the door of the elevator. Never noticed it before.

I walk in the large elevator to be welcomed by the sound of awkward elevator music.. And around 10 more people. We take every stop, and eventually get up to my level.

I walk out, and see a long hallway. I find the door, and slip the key through the key lock. It makes a clicky noise and I step into the room.

Peppermint fills my nose and I see the glass pane window surroundings. Across the room, there's a desk with an computer at it, a printer, and lots of office supplies. There's a couch and a few chairs with a table on the other side of he room. The plaster wall side of the room is filled with hideous pictures, so the first thing I do is take those down.

I'm going to have to do some major interior design in here, I thought to myself.

I walk to my desk, and see a bowl full of caramels. I pop one in my mouth, and savor the flavor.

I sit at the desk in an awful squeaking chair, dreading the rest of the day in this awful office.

But hey, at least the view is good.