Page 20 of Joy to Noel

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I’ll take the L for today. Tasks took way longer than expected, so I didn’t check off my entire to-do list today.

MR. EXEC

What took a longtime?

ME

Opening a business bank account effectively wiped out half of my day.

MR. EXEC

Banks are the worst. I’ll give this one to you out of sympathy.

ME

No, no, no. I earn my wins. I assume you have 78 pages of notes today?

MR. EXEC

Not quite 78, but plenty to keep me busy. Been reviewing notes since I got home a couple of hours ago.

There’s a pause in the conversation as I try to decide what to say next. But Liam’s bouncing dots eventually halt my debate.

MR. EXEC

Had big plans tonight? Or burning the midnight oil working at some tea shop I don’t know exists?

I snort a laugh.

ME

Zero tea shops in Noel, sadly. Becky’s Brews coffee shop is open most of the year, but she’s taking a break between busy seasons.

And neither. No big plans or midnight oil. Just a casual dinner with my best friend, Clara, and her husband, plus some of their other friends. One of them you know. Beau Olson.

MR. EXEC

Ah, yes. Beau seems like a solid employee.

I decide to poke the bear. Just a little.

ME

Curious to know what he thinks of you?

MR. EXEC

I don’t care what he thinks about me.

ME

Careful. You might veer from confident to arrogant territory.

MR. EXEC

It’s not arrogant to not care what people think. I’m here to do my job. A job I happen to be very good at, which will benefit your friends when the factory doesn’t shut down. I’ll do my job and then leave. I don’t need people to like me in the process.

My stomach ties itself in knots at the matter-of-fact statement regarding his temporary presence in Noel. Which is nonsense because my life will continue on just fine without Liam’s presence. Not to mention I’malsoa temporary resident of Noel.

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