Missed Connections

Missed Connections: Chapter 28

Chapter 28

My head hurts, and I have no appetite. Probably because I'm stuffed with the guilt of leading Blake and Jack on and not making a decision. Blake is usually the one I talk to about my problems, so it's weird that my first inclination is to talk to him to sort this out, because I can't.

Nor can I continue to drown in pleasure with Jack.

It makes me feel amazing at the time, but when he's gone, I crash and feel like crap again. And since Jack has been opening up emotionally, and Blake and I connected sexually, things are more confusing than ever.

Maybe we can move to a commune and all be hippie, happy lovers? Somehow, I don't think Blake or Jack are polyamorous. I wonder if cheating is genetic. Either way, that's no excuse.

"Are you planning on doing any work today, or are you going to just sit there looking stupid?"

"Excuse me?" Disbelief that Phyllis would say this at all, never mind in front of two clients in the waiting room, disintegrates any snappy comeback.

"You heard me."

"I don't feel like this is a discussion to be having right now."

"Whatever." She looks at her client. "Come right on in, Steph." Steph follows Phyllis into her room, and the door closes.

What the hell? I try to compose myself and not make a scene in front of the remaining client, but I can't handle this today. "Meryl? Will you come with me? I'll get you settled into a room for Ziggy."

Meryl follows me with a small smile. She's one of Ziggy's regulars, a regal, elderly woman who, Naomi told me, wears fur coats if the weather dips below fifty-five degrees, which I take to mean Meryl comes from money. That, and she's got a boy toy, though he's in his late fifties himself.

"Ziggy will be right in."

"Sarah?"

I turn back to her. "Yes?"

"Don't let her push you around. And don't trust her as far as you can throw her either."

"She's not all evil. I think."

Meryl laughs. "Girls like her never change. I'll say no more. But I like you. You're a hard worker and a lot nicer than the other girl they had working the desk."

"Thank you." This time I don't have to force a smile.

"You have no idea how much I needed to hear that today."

She pats my shoulder, and I leave the room. She's right. Screw Phyllis—she was supremely unprofessional, and I'm going to talk to Ziggy or Fern about it the first chance I get. Grin-and- bear-it time is over. Fern saw the other day that Phyllis has an attitude with me. Maybe if I tell her about this, she'll understand that wasn't an isolated incident and Phyllis will get put on probation or something. It's too much to hope that she'd be fired outright, but I can't see Fern letting go of something that could potentially cost the business money. Phyllis and Fern seem close, but Fern cares about the business.

My first chance comes at lunchtime. Phyllis cut out early, and Ziggy's client left a couple of minutes ago.

He ran to grab a sandwich from the grocery store. It's better to let him eat something and then I'll tell him. I get impatient and snappy when I'm hungry and someone's preventing my food intake, so I'll wait for a few calories to hit his stomach. He comes back and rushes past with a bag throwing off the scent of melted cheese, bacon, and turkey. I give him exactly five minutes, then walk back to the kitchen and peer inside. "Ziggy?"