"Will this place be the beginning of happiness or the end of all?" I ask myself. I follow the Human Resources manager, Laura through the aisles. The scent of lemons and oranges fill my nostrils as we walk through Produce. I focus on the back of Laura's shoes as she walks, and I'm nearly blinded by the floor reflecting the fluorescent lights above. As we cruise through the store, I feel the stares. I am unsure if it's good or bad, but the hairs on the back of my neck are behaving so I take a breath. My hands are clammy, and my tongue tastes like the acid churning in my gut. We continue on to a back room where several people are bustling around with large plastic crates or pushing giant trolleys with crates filled with food. We stop at a desk area where the phones ring like an alarm as each customer arrives to pick up their groceries. I watch as the crates are loaded onto carts and whisked outside. Laura turns to me smiling and gestures for me to wait. I look around at the large area of crates and computers and labels, and fold my hands behind me as I wait to meet my new boss.
Laura returns with a tall, good-looking gentleman in tow. "Leandra Benet, meet Justin Astan. He is our "Click 'N Go" supervisor.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Benet." He says with smiling eyes.
"And you as well." I reply, and shake his hand.
The warmth of his hand sends jolts of electricity racing beneath my skin. His abrupt release tells me he senses my reaction. I can feel the color rushing to my face, so I bury my face in my sleeve faking a sneeze.
"God bless you." Justin says.
"Thank you. It's just allergies. Maybe I got a whiff of something." I lie.
Laura bids me good luck and leaves me with the overwhelming task of learning my job, and the biggest challenge I will ever face.
"Miss Benet, are you ready to get started?" He asks excitedly.
"As ready as I'll ever be. I gotta start somewhere." I reply, and bite my pinky nail.
"Don't be nervous. Laura has told me a lot about you, and I know you'll be off and running in no time." He says, lightly touching my forearm.
Again, I feel a surge of energy through my veins making the hairs on my neck stand up.
"Miss Benet, are you alright? You look a little flush. I hope you're not catching a cold." He says with concerned eyes.
"I appreciate your worry, Mr. Astan, but I am fine." I reply lowering my eyes.
"I hope so, I'd hate to lose you before you ever get started." He says with a laugh.
"I promise you won't. I'll be near death before I miss work." I boast.
"Hearing that makes me worry even more." He says, raising an eyebrow.
"Worry? I thought every boss appreciates an employee who shows up." I respond.
"Of course, being a hard worker is a good thing; but, I also want you to take care of yourself when you're sick. I'm sure you're significant other feels the same."
"I have only me, Mr. Astan."
He adjusts his tie and gestures for me to follow. He introduces me to the team leaders and the rest of the department, then goes over a few rules and procedures.
"Alright, Miss Benet. I'm ready to get started. Grab yourself a two-way and a scanner, and we'll be off."
I do as he says, and then he grabs a trolley and we head out. He explains how everything works and what to do when I can't find something on the shelf. Then we make a pit stop at the in-store cafe.
"I thought this might help with the nerves." He says and hands me a cup.
"Thank you, Mr. Astan. What is it?"
"No need to thank me. It's a white chocolate mocha, my personal favorite. Oh, and you can call me Justin." He says grinning.
"Thank you, again, Justin." I reply blushing.
We race through the store grabbing dairy, produce and deli. Each time he shows me something new, his face lights up like an infant seeing their mother clearly for the first time. He is focused solely on me, and I assume, from the infinite smile he's carrying, he is happy with my progress. Finally, I take a full breath.
"That's better, Miss Benet." He laughs.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Astan, I don't understand."
"I heard you release all the air you've been holding in since you got here." He says with a wink.
"Oh. Right." I reply lowering my head.
He tilts my head up with his index finger and says, "Don't be embarrassed. It's your first day. We've all been there. Pat yourself on the back, Miss Benet. You did better on your first day than anyone I've ever trained."
"Thank you, Mr. Astan, that means a lot."
"No need to thank me, you did all the work."
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