Page 29 of Mia Amata

“Sounds good, I’ll text you later, and we can work out the details.” I stood up with her, picking up our coffee cups. She went down the steps to the backyard, taking Lady with her, they headed up the path toward her house. She waved at me before I lost sight of her in the trees, I waved back.

***

After washing up the dishes, I went down into the basement, with Lucky following me down there. I sat at the desk, reviewing all the information for the new job I would be starting in a week. I used the login information in the folder to login in to the computer, where I was instructed to change the password. I checked the email that I was set up with, replied back to some emails from my supervisor and then checked out the programs I needed for work. I set up the company chat as instructed, sending my supervisor a chat message stating it was done.

She replied back right away, said she was glad to meet me and was looking forward to working with me the following Monday. I told her I was excited to start. She asked if I would have time to read over some account information and protocols before Monday, which would make my training go much faster. I told her I would have plenty of time, so she said she would send the information over. I watched for the documents, printed them out, putting them in one of the 3-ring binders that I had found in one of the drawers on the desk.

I spent the rest of the morning going over the information in detail, asking a couple of questions and making some notes as I went along. My supervisor advised me to keep track of the time spent reviewing the information, putting it on my timesheet on the computer, so I would get paid for it. I could consider it part of my paid training.

I took a break at lunchtime, making myself a sandwich. Lucky and I went outside on the deck. Lucky went down, running around in the yard, while I ate my sandwich, watching him, laughing at his playing with a butterfly, smelling the wildflowers. I was surprised that he never ran off, he never got too far away from me at all. He kept a very close eye on me, stopping to check on me every so often.

My cell phone chirped, alerting me to a text message. Randy sent a text asking how my day was going if I would be free Wednesday evening for supper. I replied back to let her know Wednesday sounded good. We texted back and forth a couple of times, then she went back to work after we set up a time for her to come pick me up.

I stood up to go back inside. Lucky ran up the stairs and was at my side in an instant. We went back inside, washed up the lunch dishes, then I went back down into the office to do some more studying of the information for the account I would be working on starting Monday. After reviewing the information for a couple of hours, I recorded my hours on the time sheet and then went upstairs to do a few things for myself.

I sat down at the kitchen table with my purse. I reviewed the instruction booklet on my cell phone, trying to familiarize myself with the things I could do with it. After playing around with the smartphone for a bit, I took out a notepad and pen. Using my phone, I looked for the name of an OB/GYN doctor.

I would need to get established with one soon. My bruises were almost all gone, no one seemed to notice them last night thanks to the makeup tricks I had been shown. I knew I would have to come up with a story for the scars on my body, so I figured a car accident would probably work.

As to the father of the baby, if asked, it was someone I had been involved with but found out he was married, so I moved here to make a new start. I thought that would cover the bases. I researched some doctors, finding one that seemed like she would be great. Her reviews were really good, people talked about how caring she was. I called the office and spoke with the receptionist, stating that I was new to the area and was about six to seven weeks pregnant.

She took the new insurance information work had provided for me. We set up an appointment on Friday of this week. She asked me if there was some place where they could get my medical records from. I told her that I have not been to a doctor for years, so I don’t have any records. She didn’t seem like that was a huge problem, then repeated my appointment time for me.

I added it to the calendar on my phone. I figured when I met the new doctor Friday I could ask her for pediatrician recommendations, I had plenty of time for that. I would also need a regular doctor for when I wasn’t pregnant, for other health visits. I had time for that too, maybe the OB doctor could make recommendations for that also. I could ask Randy Wednesday night at supper for some vet recommendations also.

I then searched for local clothing stores. I will need some maternity clothes soon. I also couldn’t wait to buy some baby clothes, figuring I would start with some basics until I knew what sex the baby was. I wrote down some local stores. Wednesday night, I would tell Randy that I was pregnant, to see if she had some ideas where I could shop.

I researched the town, looking to see what was available for other businesses, such things as restaurants and stores. I made notes, then just browsed a map of the area to try and get more familiar with the town. There were a lot of lakes and parks with hiking paths. There seemed to be a lot of things to do around here as far as outdoor activities. From what I am learning—both on my drive around town yesterday and my research online—I felt I could really love living here.

I noticed the time. I decided Lucky and I would go for a walk down to the mailbox. I doubted I would have anything, but I should check and empty out any junk mail. I grabbed the leash, just in case. I didn’t want to risk him running out into the road and getting struck by a car.

“Come on, boy. Let’s go for a walk.” He seemed excited, so we walked out the front door. I armed the alarm behind me, then we headed down the driveway. Lucky stayed close to me but was not willing to risk anything, I hooked him up to the leash when we got close to the mailbox.

As expected, the only thing in the mailbox was a flyer from the local hardware store. We turned back. When I thought it was safe, I unhooked Lucky from the leash. He stayed close to me but sometimes would chase a bee or butterfly. He never did get far away from me.

Going back into the house, I took out my notepad again. I glanced through the flyer, and it gave me a few ideas I wanted to try for the house. I made another list and grabbed my purse and car keys. “I’ll be back, Lucky. You behave while I’m gone.”

He barked, wagged his tail, then promptly went and lay down in his dog bed, watching me. I shook my head in amazement, he really seemed to understand me.

I drove into town, stopping at the hardware store. I picked up some shelving, screws, hooks, nails, a hammer, and an impact driver with extra drill bits, things the salesman recommended that I would need for my projects.

From the hardware store, I went to the local nursery/greenhouse to pick out some plants. There I spoke to a saleswoman who helped me find plants that would thrive where I wanted to place them. She also recommended soil and plant food and helped me pick out planters. She advised me on the care of all the different plants I purchased. She gave me a business card for the greenhouse, telling me to call if I had any questions.

My last stop was at a little home decor store that caught my attention the day before when I was driving around. This time, I told the saleslady I would just like to browse, as I wasn’t sure what I was exactly looking for. I wanted some decor that would add color here and there.

I liked the white walls and cupboards, but it seemed pretty stark. I found a beautiful blue bowl that would go on the island. I found a matching vase and votive candle holders for a centerpiece on the dining room table. I picked up a runner for the breakfast nook table and some bookends for the built-ins by the fireplace in the living room.

I was done shopping but was hungry, so I decided to stop at an Italian restaurant on the way home. “Welcome!” A man’s voice boomed as I walked in the door. “I am Sal, welcome to our restaurant!” I instantly liked Sal—he was everything one would expect when picturing an Italian.

“Thank you,” I smiled at him.

“A table for one?” I nodded. “A lovely vision like you dining alone? I will give you our best table. Louisa!” Sal called back. “Louisa!” His booming voice could be heard throughout the whole restaurant. “I’m coming old man,” boomed a woman’s voice from the kitchen, almost as loud as her husband. “Who is this lovely young lady?”

“My name is Mattie,” I said, shaking her hand.

“Give her our best table Louisa. We will cook her the best Italian meal she has ever had!”

“She is a vision, eh Sal? Eating alone, such a waste of all that beauty is it not Sal?” Before he could answer her, she went on, “Come! Come! Your table is ready for you. I will seat you.”

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