Page 13 of Beauty and the Grease
Rumbles sound overhead, dimming the chatter.
“Sounds nasty out there,” my new friend Gina says. She’s younger than me, fitter than me, and salty, having reduced Chase’s business retreat to “a cluster of capitalist clowns.” I’m here for it. “Maybe you can join our retreat. It would be adelightto have you.”
“Aw, thanks, but I couldn’t impose. Besides, I’m sure your registration is full.” I’m absolutely certain a retreat at this facility costs a pretty penny. Not that I don’t have any available cash at my disposal, but treating myself to a frozen yogurt and a mani-pedi are more within my range of treat. Who am I kidding? I just get the froyo and paint my nails at home.
More unpleasant sounds reach us in the depths of the storm shelter. I check my phone for messages, but the signalis butts. I glance to Gina’s device in her hand. “Do you have a signal?”
Gina pouts. “I grabbed my phone from the digital detox basket, but no. Instagram isn’t loading.”
“Mine’s okay.” Another woman offers her phone to Gina. “Do you want to check in with your kids?”
“Eh. My kids are with their grandparents and they know first aid.” She looks up from her frozen screen. “What? I deserve a break. Oh hey, Jenny. You can take Tasha’s spot. She had to cancel.”
My business requires never-ending attention. I can’t up and leave.
“A weekend off might beni-ice,” Gina sing-songs.
I haven’t had a weekend off since I said yes to the business and moving to Derby. I’ve been going 24/7 for…a year. Sure, we’re closed Sundays, but I’m usually working on payroll or double-checking inventory. And I take the odd afternoon off for a dentist or doctor appointment. I’m into specialist territory now with mammograms and podiatrists.
Okay, so medical appointments aren’t exactly spa-like. My friends outside of Derby visit me so I don’t have to be away from the business. My parents and a set of aunts, uncles, cousins and their kids spent Christmas in Derby with me. They liked it. They’re the best.
But it means I haven’t gotten away. From Gina’s reaction, it sounds like I’m supposed to want to get away.
My business means everything to me. If my business doesn’t succeed, what am I? I can’t afford to let it fail. I can’t.
Gina’s grin is persistent. Like she knows I need a vacation more than I do.
“I don’t even have the right clothes.” I’m wearing the cardigan that lives in my office with cargo pants and work boots. “I doubt I can do a lotus rising in these boots. By the way, I made up that pose. I’ve never done yoga. I used to be more of a cardio junkie.”
Gina gasps. “Jenny’s never done yoga! Ameriel, aren’t you about Jenny’s size? I’m thinking your leggings might fit her.”
That escalated quickly. “I can’t borrow a stranger’s yoga pants. I’ll leave after the storm. Thank you for the offer.”
What if there’s damage at the shop? I can’t even check my messages to find out. Okay, we need to get out of here quick before I panic.
I glance to Chase to find he’s looking my way. I raise my brows to ask,everything good? He tilts his head and shrugs. Then points to the women around me and kind of flips his hand around in the air. I guess it means,are they better company than these corporate drones?Yes, I nod. Yes, they are.
I’m determining how to mime that they’ve asked me to join their retreat when Chase walks over. “How are youholding up? It sounds rough up there.” He points toward the ceiling.
“I’m sure it’s fine.” It needs to be fine since I’m not there to make sure it’s fine.
“Ben’s phone has service and the weather radar looks intense. I haven’t seen that much red and orange since I left your tow truck.”
I cross my arms. “The Beast is a dependable truck. Are you some kind of clown hater?”
“No. And I’m not afraid of clowns either.”
“Ooh, you’re such a stud.” I clap my hand over my mouth. “I was joking.” I move my hand aside enough for him to hear. “Like,ooh you’re a tough guy.”
Worse, he’s laughing at me. Worse: Part Deux: his smile makes mefeelthings.
I’m not here for feeling things. In fact, whyamI here? Oh, yeah. Storm safety. Emergency siren.
Gina and her yoga friends inch nearer. They’re looking at Chase like he’s an advanced pose to master.
A retreat center employee claps to get our attention. “The tornado warning has ended for our area. Our staff will assess the damage, if you can please hang on a few more minutes.”
Ten minutes pass where Chase remains the center of attention for the yoga ladies. It’s both amusing and stirsunwanted emotions inside me. Where are those internal soldiers when my subconscious declares,he was mine first?!
