Behind the Screen

Chapter 11

The past few days Paul and I have chatted a lot on the forums Direct Message. I have found myself looking forward to our little chats, at first it was just mostly at lunch but we have now started chatting after work as well. The topics also have veered far off of Eminem.

To IMMAGoat- Uggh well I guess I should get up and make myself something to eat. Have you had dinner yet?

From IMMAGoat- Ya I grabbed some taco's on the way home, it was just me tonight so why mess up the kitchen right?

To IMMAGoat- Well it is always just me :-)

From IMMAGoat- Don't you get lonely? I mean do you have any more pets or is it just Slim the fish?

To IMMAGoat- Just Slim, how about you?

From IMMAGoat- I have a huge aquarium. Had it for a few years actually.

To IMMAGoat- Really? I had thought about getting one but really don't understand everything to set it up. Would it give me something to do right?

From IMMAGoat- I can help you, all you have to do is ask!

To IMMAGoat- How are you going to help me from states away Paul?

From IMMAGoat- Simple, what size are you thinking of?

We actually spend the next hour looking at aquariums online, finally, I decide on one and ordered it.

To IMMAGoat- So it should be here in two days.

From IMMAGoat- I'll give you my number. When it comes in call me and I will walk you through setting it up.

To IMMAGoat- You don't have to do that Paul, I have already put you out enough.

From IMMAGoat- I want to do this Lilly.

So I reluctantly accept his number. I feel strange about this but oddly excited to be able to hear his voice as well. We end the conversation with promises to chat again tomorrow.

Two days later

"Mr. Bodney, I know this is short notice but I need to leave today around three. I have a delivery scheduled for a rather large item and I need to be there to let the delivery men in" I hesitantly ask my boss.

"Yes it is short notice Miss Wilcher, but yes you can have the time off, I may need you to stay late a couple of days to make up" Mr. Bodney glares at me.

"Of course sir, thank you" I smile but inside I am seething. I mean this guy acts like I don't have a life outside of this office. Well, I kinda don't but he doesn't know that.

As soon as three o'clock hits I leave the office and head home, lucky for me I make it just as the delivery men arrive. I am able to sway them into setting up the aquarium on the stand before leaving. Sometimes it is good to a be girl.

I take a lot at all the supplies that came in with the unit and get a bit overwhelmed. I know Paul told me to call him, but I hesitate.

What the hell, I bite my bottom lip and dial the number. It rings twice then I hear this deep midwestern accent answer.

"Yo"

"Hi----may I speak to Paul?" Hesitation on the other line.

"Shit, Lilly? I mean yeah this is Paul, how ya doing?"

"How did you know it was me?" I smile into the phone like he can see me.

"I mean, I know the setup was going to arrive today I figured it was you ya know" he laughs.