Carley

EXPECTATIONS, depicts the struggle between what we desire for ourselves and our familial obligations. This is personified by Chris and Matt Taylor, identical twins, who are trying to win their overbearing father’s approval and acquire their trust funds. Their best friend and roommate, Aiden O’Boyle, left his family behind in Ireland to pursue a career in dance.

Matt: Never in the history of the five day work week had a Friday dragged so much as this particular one did. By 11:45 it felt like 7PM, at least. The Bloody Mary I drank to fight the hangover from last night wasn’t working as well as it usually did. Then again, I drank more than I usually did. That’s what happens when you spend all day working on projects you know are crap, but received well by upper management.

So it was 11:45 and I was struggling against the blinding headache and distracting nausea. After another Bloody Mary, made in the bathroom, I refreshed my email hoping for a coworker’s contribution to a project and instead received one from my boss, Cyndi, calling me into her office.

Shit. Maybe she realized my team had been giving her crap and was cutting us all. Starting with the team leader, me. Taking a deep breath, I straightened my tie and walked down the corridor with worst case scenarios running through my head.

“Oh, Matt, that was fast. You’re so on top of things. Please, come sit down.” Cyndi said when I walked into her office. Probably not getting fired… “There’re a few very important matters I need to discuss with you. First of all, next week there’s a conference in San Diego and I believe it’s important that you and at least one of your team members come.”

“Sure. I know the area well. I grew up right outside there.” I answered as I typed the information into my Blackberry.

“Yes, I know. I was just speaking with your father.” Cyndi was smiling brightly.

I wanted to ask so many things: Why? What the hell is wrong with you?  Instead, I just went with, “You know my father?”

“Yes, he’s a very dear friend of mine. I assured him I’d bring you with me and we would all have dinner together one night.”

Oh, lovely. She’s his mistress. Because he clearly wasn’t controlling enough of my life, it was necessary to start sleeping with my boss. The conversation continued with her saying I could stay at home instead of the hotel.  I politely declined and turned all of my attention to keeping the food securely in my stomach. She paused and I looked up, “Was there something more?”. I planned on another Bloody Mary, just as soon as I was done here.

“Yes, you’ll be getting a new member of your team today. She graduated at the top of her class from Kansas State University. Her name is Carley Smith. I would really appreciate it if you’d spend some time teaching her the ropes around here today and if you click perhaps consider bringing her along next week.”

Click? Why the hell did it matter if we clicked? “No problem, Cyndi. When will she be getting here?”  

“She should be here between 12 and 1.”

Soon would’ve been a fine answer too.  I thanked her and left. The walk back to my cubicle was longer than I remembered. My head was spinning so fast coherent thoughts weren’t an option. I wanted to go home, but this new girl would make that difficult.  Couldn’t even duck out to take a few shots. Instead, I buried my face in the crock of my arm.

“Mr. Taylor?” I heard a soft female voice ask.

It took a moment to realize she was addressing me and not my father, who thankfully wasn’t there. Then I looked at her and gave my first genuine smile in…I don’t even know. Carley.

Comments

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Oh sure, you name this one Carley and we don't even get to MEET Carley. This is the biggest tease yet. Must. Read. Book.