Page 16 of Give Me a Chance
“In one morning at the BYC, I helped more people than probably a year in Jones & Williams.”
“That’s what we do around here.” She smiles.
I had three client meetings, two of them Palestinian families. One of the families has been in the U.S. for a while, and the other came just recently, fleeing the brutality currently happening in their birthplace. It’s humbling hearing the horror stories they’veshared. It’s also nice to know you can do something to help them.
I can’t make it all stop. I can’t solve decades’ worth of systemic oppression they’ve endured. But I can make sure they have the support here in the U.S. We plan on how they’ll apply for the refugee status and enroll the kids in our programs so they can start living a life closest to normal in these circumstances.
We also offer them an apartment in one of Connor’s buildings, but the families would rather stay with their relatives for now.
The amount of help the BYC offers people is amazing. Help with accommodation, job seeking, childcare, and now, legal counsel.
Holding my head high, I walk into the break room to refill my water bottle, but the sense of accomplishment is cut short.
“...and then he completely changed the pace, as if I haven’t just saidjust like that...”
Natalie is obviously retelling the story of her latest adventure to Rina sitting across from her. I fake cough to make sure she notices me entering the room, but she continues talking.
“...and poof, it was gone. I tried to help him and rub it myself, but it had mysteriously disappeared.” Finishing the story, she takes a sip of her coffee.
I slam the door on the way out after the quickest bottle refill ever.
“What’s his deal?” I hear Rina ask through the door, but I don’t wait to hear the response.
There’s a tiny, tiny part of me glad to hear she couldn’t orgasm with this unknown man. But the bigger part of me is split between the primal jealousy of this man who’s touching what he isn’t supposed to and blinding rage because she can’t spare me the basic decency of not talking about it in front of me.
Lunch time is close, but my appetite is completely gone. So, I ask Anne for a raincheck and get back to work.
Anne refusesto take no for an answer, so I humor her and join her for lunch the next day. We enter a cozy sandwich and salad bar after a short walk. Warm lighting illuminates the place, chalkboard menus decorate the walls, and mason jars are used for everything, from drinks to décor and to-go salads, giving it a rustic feel. Everything on the menu is either artisanal, organic, or homemade.
I order a club sandwich, while Anne orders a salmon salad. Just as we get our orders, the door opens, and Natalie walks in. Anne waves her in, and she pretends not to notice me.
Between her spot directly across from me, and her flowy, open necked blouse, I have a perfect view of her mouth-watering cleavage, which only pisses me off.
“So, how do you like working with us so far?” Anne asks me, breaking the silence.
“It’s been good. I love the work we’re doing, and everybody’s been super nice.” The sandwich is phenomenal.
“I think you quitting your soul sucking corporate job is awe worthy,” she responds between bites, and Natalie scoffs.
“Thanks, but I was bored at my old job. So, it was for selfish reasons, actually.” It’s the truth.
“Sure was.” Natalie mumbles under her breath. It’s getting harder to ignore her snark. By the time Anne leaves for the restroom, I’m ready to pounce.
“What the hell is your problem?” My tone is cool and collected, a contrast to my insides.
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe the fact you’re celebrated as a goddamn hero for being here five days, while some of us have been here from the start.”
“Well, sorry for not hearing about the BYC sooner. Maybe public relations are to blame. Wait, that’s your job.” I tap a finger to my chin.
“Don’t even start down that road. I’m amazing at my job. Some of us knew we wanted to help people from the very start and didn’t need to get bored at our devil’s advocate gig to decide to care about the little guy suddenly.”
“You should be happy the devil’s advocate is here to help your little guy. You can hardly help him with your job.” She’s seething. If telekinesis were a real thing, I’d be dead right about now.
“Better hurry to help them before you get bored again and leave.”
“You think I’m the one who gets easily bored? Funny. Maybe we should ask some of the guys you’ve dated. What’s the rule? One date and done? One fuck and done? Or is it one and the same?”
Hurt flashes in her eyes and before the signal gets to my brain, she’s picking up her purse and leaving the place.
