The Man I Call Strong

Chapter 7: First Day in Torture

        Santiago can't seem to apologize enough to me for last night. I told him I was just glad that he didn't punch Brad for touching me or even coming close to me. We're in front of a beautiful lake that has a forest and mountains behind it. Santiago brought two cameras so we can enjoy the thrill of capturing a perfect shot together. I caught a perfect shot of the tip of the mountain being touched by the first rays of light. I love photography. It's about now. If you see a good shot, don't hesitate. That perfect shot can be gone in seconds if you do.

        Then, like the first day of school that ends the perfectly joyful summer break, I realized it was Monday. I still haven't signed that dumb contract. Maybe I shouldn't. Maybe I should just live with the McGilde's forever. Or until I find a job for photography. Or maybe I should ask Santiago to take me along on one of his trips so I can get some of the profit from selling his photographs. That would be amazing.

        "Bonita, you ready to go?" I hear Santiago's voice from outside my little world of The Now. I sigh and let the perfect shot I had set up slip away as I take my camera away from my eye. "Yeah. I guess so." My arm drops to my side in disappointment. "Let's just go." I decided to take life by the horns and just deal with it. Santiago checks the screen on his camera as he scrolls through the shots he got. "Wow. I never thought New York could have such views. I only thought it was buildings and smog." I scoff, almost sarcastically. My disappointment is suddenly making me sluggish and tired. "Hey, relax. Ruby told me. I don't think the guy's as bad as you say. He seems pretty decent." I scoff. Decent. Not exactly the word I would use. Devil maybe. But definitely not decent. 'You still need to sign that contract.' I groan as I sit down in Santiago's jeep. Santiago chuckles. "So, when are you moving in?" I stare down at the camera in my hands, pretending to look through my pictures. When would you want me to move in? I let out a long unsure, 'uh', trying desperately to fill in the gap of silence between us. "I guess..... uh.... I don't know."

        "Well, when you decide. Call me. I'll help you pack and move your stuff." I look up to him and smile. "Really?"

        "Yeah. No problem."

        The rest of the ride is pointless small talk as we drive over to my apartment.

        "Alright. See ya, Rora." I smile and slam the car door a little too hard as I turn to leave. Then it occurs to me. I can't keep riding my bike to work. I need a car. Oh crud! I can't buy a car. I'm broke! I can't even afford a half eaten hamburger! And hell begins. Already.

        The sun is well above the horizon and I need to pick up my pace or I'm not going to make it. The buildings slip past me as my sweater whips my back as the wind passes by. My heart is beating out of my chest and at the moment, I'm thanking God that my legs don't work as bad as they feel, or I wouldn't be able to move. I can't believe I still haven't signed that contract. My glasses cling to my face, making me look even less attractive and ugly as ever. My mind races through the list of what I have to do as I dismount my old bike. And, sure enough, Rex is standing in front of the building, waiting for my arrival. "Right on time, Miss. LaRue." I chuckle nervously, my legs more like jelly than skin and bone. "Mister Strong has been expecting you." I scoff to myself. I would hope so, this is my first day at the job. If he wasn't expecting me then there would be problems. Rex walks off in the same manner as the day I took my interview. I look up towards the modern, clean, crisp building in front of me and I put one foot in front of the other. Just keep breathing, just keep breathing. The same two women stand behind the same mahogany desk in the same front office. The same white, crisp slick tile coats the ground. The familiar click of heels against the ground echos through the breathtaking room. I see the ornate molding on the ceiling and the carpet that could just curl up and sleep in.