Sweet Consumption

Chapter 11

 My mother calls the next morning to tell me that James called her yesterday and I find myself falling apart all over again and telling her everything. Starting with the boys standing us up, to the date I agreed to with Collin, and finally, to the confrontation with James. 

"Well, at least they were still there. Seeing someone like Collin standing next to you I'm sure didn't help James' pride. I can't believe he's been seeing that sweet girl Donna. I thought she was smarter than to get with a guy like him. Maybe she's just using him to further her own career. It would serve him right." 

"Mom, I got with a guy like him," I say, hurt.

"I know, honey, but we didn't know he was a prick then. Although, I always got these bad vibes from him. Oh wait, hold on a second." She starts talking to someone in the background and I hear her flirtatious voice take over. She must be talking to her manager, David. My mom works as an administrative assistant at a manufacturing company and I think her and David have had a fling for a while now, but I can't get her to admit it. He's a nice looking man in his mid 40's and seems to treat my mom well at work, so I wouldn't be against her starting a relationship with him. I only wish she wouldn't divulge so much information to him.    

"Livie, dear, I've got to go. David needs some reports done by noon. Good luck on your date tonight. Oh! Did you ask him about a catering job? Since James offered, it would be even better if you would get it instead."

"No, Mom. I didn't ask him. With everything that happened, it was honestly the last thing on my mind. Now, it would probably look like I am whoring myself out if I got a job catering for him. I don't want to give James any more ammunition than he already has."

"Oh, who cares about James. This is about you and getting back on your feet. We can't do anything about the past, but we can do something about the future. Talk to him tonight and let me know how it goes. Love you, honey!" She hangs up the phone, brooking no argument. I'm surprised she didn't give me pushback on my date with Collin. I was expecting a full argument on why I shouldn't go out with Collin, but she didn't even seem to mind. Maybe David is better for her than I thought!

Before I can even set down my phone, it starts ringing again and Sasha's name appears on the screen. She left pretty early this morning to go to work, so I didn't get to see how she was feeling. 

"Good morning, Sasha!" I answer, a bit too enthusiastically.

"Ugh, don't shout! Aren't you hungover at all?" she groans.

"Not really. I got to sleep in a little later than you and I've already had about two cups of coffee. So, I'm feeling pretty good. What's up?"

"You are about to be feeling even better then. I got a job for you!"

"A job? With who?” Excitement wells within me at the prospect of bringing some money in. 

"Well, my company is having a kind of open house for people who are in the market for office space and we need to have some treats for them. I talked them into letting you cater for us. Isn't that great?! They will pay you $1,000 on top of the cost of supplies and there’s going to be all sorts of big wigs there, so it will be a great opportunity to advertise your new brand! What do you think?" she squeals, excited.