Send Her To Heaven

DEAD TO ME

JOLENE'S P.O.V 

While most people were on a patio somewhere enjoying the dog days of summer, doing laundry and spending the day in their underwear, she'll be bothering them. 

Walking to work she spotted Jonah. She wanted to say he used an uber to get there except he yelled at the guy driving and headed inside. 

She was grateful that she had a work buddy but something about his demeanor really unnerved her. He dressed well, and he was presentable but what was a guy with allegedly 2 degrees doing working in a shithole like this. 

Plus she sensed that he missing a few knots and bolts. To be honest, she was fair game, so she could understand why the creep was trying to shoot his shot. Walking inside she took her daily detour to the bathroom.  

This was probably the nastiest bathroom she has ever had the misfortune of having to use. It smelled like a dirty diaper. Taking out her water bottle filled to the brim with alcohol she took a long gulp. By the looks of this place, she could've just taken the bottle and brought it to her desk since most people here were high or getting high.  Taking as many gulps as she could handle without throwing up she headed back inside perfectly buzzed and ready to start her shitty day.

"Morning Jolene!"

"Morning Jonah"

It seemed like the more she talked to him the more confident this guy became. 

"Sunday Funday right"

She laughed, not because it was funny but because she was a bit tipsy.

"You look exhausted!"

"Yea, I think I'm coming down with something"

While he continued to make small talk Jolene tried desperately to keep her eyes open. 

Why was he always probing her for personal information?

Finally putting his headsets in she regained some peace and quiet. 

"So do you live around here?" she asked randomly

"No live I in the suburbs with my dad," he answered like a preschooler 

Of course, he lives with his parents

"You? where do you live?"

"I'm walking distance. It's a small apartment but it's mine" 

Seeing that he was irritated she changed the subject. 

"So what do you do when you're not here?"

"Mostly working to get out of here, to be honest with you"

He was always being "Honest with her"

"How long have you worked here?"

"About 5 years"

5 Years she thought! 

Either he's hiding from the law or he's lying about his qualifications. As he continued to talk about his dreams vaguely she tried to pinpoint what exactly was so off about this guy. 

"To be honest I really like it here and I think you will too!"

Trying to hide her disgust she asked him why. 

"Well to the outside world we are underachievers when in reality we are just bidding out rime"

"I can see that" 

Totally unconvinced she watched him rationalize his state of being 

"Like you're trying to do your yoga thing" 

Yoga thing? she thought

"Sadly for people like us"

People like us? She cringed  

"The world refuses to acknowledge our potential. Unless you look like Brad and Angelina no one gives a shit" 

What the fuck was he talking about. 

"Sometimes I just want to give up," she said trying to reassure him.

"Maybe you should," he said nonchalantly 

It was then that it hit her. 

 It was his rage. 

It not overt but it was simmering beneath this poorly built exterior he thought was convincing.   

Come Monday she's asking for a new seating arrangement.