Working Girl

Chapter 3

“Bye babe, I’m going to work. You’ll be ok here today?” I opened one eye to see my fiancé standing in his suit, gazing at me with concern.

“Hrmmph.” I responded.

“Sutton?” Braden sat down on the edge of the bed and stroked my shin. “I can call in sick if you like. I know you must be upset, I would hate for you to be home alone.”

“Don’t be daft, I’m fine. Go to work.” I rolled over and pulled the blankets over my head. I was hoping that if I didn’t meet his eyes, Braden wouldn’t be able to see how upset I felt. The humiliation of the day before was washing over me again, and all I wanted was to be alone.

Braden pulled the blanket off of my face and planted a kiss on my nose.

“If you say so. I’ll see you this evening then, I love you.” After another quick peck on the forehead he was gone.

I rolled over and looked at the clock. 7:00am. Normally I would be eating breakfast and preparing to leave for work. I tried to convince myself that things were going to be ok. I would get out of bed, make myself a healthy breakfast and then immediately start applying for jobs. I would not wallow in self-pity and I would not let my anger at Liz consume me. I sat up.

Groaning, I remembered all of the wine I had consumed the night before. My head was pounding slightly; perhaps I would just lie down and rest my eyes for a few minutes. After all, I had been up quite late updating my resume. That must have earned me the right to sleep in ever so slightly.

**

I rolled over and reached for my iPhone. I felt ravenous and my headache is markedly better. That extra 30 minutes of sleep did me wonders. 12:34pm? Am I reading that right?

I had slept away the entire morning. My to-do list was suddenly looming in front of me. I threw off the covers and slipped on my robe, heading to the kitchen to make something to eat.

First on my list, file for unemployment. After putting bread in the toaster and switching on the coffee maker, I sat down with my laptop and typed in the address for the unemployment office. The forms seemed quite complicated. Right, I thought, this is a job for post coffee.

Twenty minutes later I had eaten two slices of toast and drank half a pot of coffee. I sat down and focused on the unemployment insurance forms. They don’t make this easy, do they? I wish I had some wine. I briefly considered reaching for the wine, but then remembering my headache this morning, stopped myself. The forms took me close to an hour to fill out, and when I was finally finished I rubbed my eyes. I needed a break.

I sat down on the couch. I would just watch television for a few minutes to clear my head before getting started on item number two; going through my things to see what I could sell to build myself an emergency fund to tide me over until I was back to work.

Oh perfect, Ellen is on. I’ll just watch the first segment and then straight to the closet. I curled up on the couch with another cup of coffee and laughed along with the audience. She is so funny. Maybe I can start my own talk show. I’m funny! I wonder how much money Ellen makes.

Before I knew it, Ellen was over and the credits were rolling. It was now 2:00 and I had yet to apply for a single job, or sell a single item. Braden would be home in a few hours and I was hoping to report my progress in order to calm his nerves. He seemed very calm this morning, but I know my fiancé, and inside he is likely freaking out. And if he’s freaking out now, imagine what he will say when he realizes I don’t have any teaching jobs lined up like he assumed.

Draining the last of my coffee, I stand up and square my shoulders. It is going to be hard to part with anything in my shoe and purse collection, but there must be something that can go. After rinsing my cup in the sink, I head to the bedroom and open the closet doors.