An Adventurous Life (Alternate Addie Story)

Getting a Job

"Dominic, if you don't get out of my way I swear—"

"You'll what, tell on me?" The question is laced with sarcasm and amusement. A tall, lean, and pale guy blocks my path to a computer standing just a few feet away. His light blue eyes shine with amusement as I desperately try to get around him. I know he's just playing and, if I wasn't running late for work, I would play along; however, since I am running late, his antics are annoying.

I push against him again. "I did not run all the way here only to have you make me late. Now move!"

Dominic playfully pushes me into the cream colored wall; the grin on his face clearly shows that my annoyance amuses him. I glare at him. "Fine. But you asked for this."

Before he can ask what I mean, I reach up around his neck and pull at his short black hair.

He immediately pulls away from me. "Ow, ow, ow! Okay I'm sorry let go!"

I release his hair, run by him, and quickly punch my code into the computer—clocking myself in. I turn and grin at the man triumphantly.

Dominic rubs his head. "You don't play very nice."

"Have you seen the man I live with?" I ask while sitting at a small round table. "There is no playing nice with him."

"No actually, I haven't," he says taking the seat across from me. "I'm not even sure this 'man' exists."

I smile and untie my running shoes. "I assure you, he does."

Getting up, I move to a row of lockers along the small room's back wall. Because I usually walk to work, I keep my work shoes (and name tag) here in the employee break room. After switching shoes, and throwing my running shoes in my locker, I pull out the simple white strip that has Addie written on it in blue letters. Initially, my boss found it odd that I didn't want to give my last name, but he didn't press the matter. He probably assumes my reason has to do with Victor.

Everyone in town knows enough about Victor and me to be aware of two things: don't ask questions, and do not make Victor angry. We are the couple that appears randomly, and the only ones uninvolved in the town's daily life. People here treat us with curious politeness, but they also keep their distance. All of this being said, the owner of the town's single grocery store was quite shocked when I asked for an application—probably even more shocked that Victor wasn't with me.

"I don't know, Addie." Dominic's voice breaks my thoughts. "You talk about him a lot, but not once have I seen him around. You sure he's not imaginary?"

I close my locker and turn to look at him. "For the millionth time, Victor is real. He's just away on business."

"For two whole months?"

"Sometimes his job is . . . Demanding," I explain the best I can, but I've stopped looking at him. Since breaking ties with my father, Victor has started accepting side jobs from random people. Usually, he's only gone a few days (he says he doesn't like leaving me alone for long), but this last one took him farther away than normal. These "jobs" are things we don't really discuss; partially because Victor refuses to tell me what he does, and partially because I'm not sure I want to know. The most we talk about it is when he has to leave. He tells me how long he'll be gone, and I tell him to be careful. To be honest, the topic makes me uncomfortable. I don't like it, but I can't really change it either.

"Well, I guess I'll find out the truth in a few days." His voice is playful, but it also has a soft tone to it—as if he recognized my discomfort and felt the need to ease it. Dominic was hired at the same time I was. He is new to town so, just like me, he is a bit of an outsider to the townsfolk. It didn't take long for us to become friends. He has helped me through every painful moment of Victor's absence, just like he's doing now.