Disillusion Meets Delight (27 page)

“Natalie, I want you to know that I appreciate how you stepped in after Mr. Woodhouse decided to leave so abruptly.”  You mean after you practically killed him with stress?  I never liked Woodhouse very much but now that I’ve been in his shoes a bit, I understand why he was so grumpy and smelled like cigarettes. 

“But it was in all actuality, an interim management position.  Would you like a glass of water?”  She pours some water into a small paper cup and I can’t help but feel this was all planned ahead of time. 

“Um, thank you.”  I take a large gulp. 

“By your lackadaisical punctuality and performance, it is clear that you did not really want a management position and I am sorry that we allowed you to accept it.”  Magda Rubin-Allen is never sorry for anything she does and my keen perception knows that this is not a conversation that is going to be in my best interest. 

“Therefore, we have hired a permanent manager and much to my dismay, I am afraid we have no choice but to let you go.” 

My heart stops and my mind grows weary.  Was this a bad dream?  I must still be asleep.  Am I being fired?  

“Magda, I don’t understand.  I have been a loyal employee to this company for nearly 3 years.  Why can’t I just take on my old position as the manager’s lead?” 

“Well, Natalie, it would not be appropriate.  You can’t hold respect from your peers while being demoted at the same time.”  She replies, waving her hands as her chunky bracelets tap together.  Me, not having a job is of no concern for her.  Defaulting on credit card payments and car loans were the farthest thing on her mind.  She had one of those trees in her back yard that blossomed with apples and worthwhile jobs as well as ample monetary funds. 

“Here is your final check.  We paid you for the full pay period as severance.  It was nice working with you.  The security man should be bringing some boxes for your things and will help you out.  I have a meeting I must run to though so I’m afraid we need to wrap this up.  Take care.” 

I walked back to my desk through the maze of cubicles where not a soul would meet my eyes.  People would stare down at the floor or quickly turn to their monitors as though they were actually concerned about their work.  I fought back the tears because I refused to let anyone see my pain and humiliation. 

I boxed up my things while Jerome the security guard stood outside my cubicle.  Do they think I actually want their stupid tape roll or stapler?  I would like to kick my foot into the computer monitor but that could scuff my cute shoes and that would be worse. 

“Natasha, I just wanted to say that we are really going to miss you and we’re sorry that you decided to leave.”  It was Marcia.  Marcia the 40 year old, scrunchie wearing co-worker that still had not realized 80’s style tapered pants and Keds were not flattering. 

“Marcia, I was fired.  You hear me?  Fired.  I’m not leaving because I have a fabulous new job.  I’m leaving because 3 years of blood, sweat and tears means nothing to my boss or anyone else around here!  And for the record, MARCIA, my name is NATALIE!!!  It is not Natasha, Natalia, Nicola or anything else besides NATALIE you stupid 80’s fashion train wreck!  Here, take my Cosmo!  You might learn something!”  I threw my magazine at her and was hastily escorted out of the suite. 

I got into my car and sobbed uncontrollably.  I have never been fired in my entire life.  I felt like a failure.  What was I going to do?  The job market in Portland was terrible.  People with years of experience in their field are now working as fast food shift managers just to try and make ends meet.  I now have no health insurance, no retirement plan and no steady paycheck. 

I knew that I could not face my mother right now, Mya was at class and Jenna, was well, not in the picture at the moment.  I knew there was one person that had a pretty good idea what I was going through right now.  I just hoped she was home.  Of course, it was barely 10 A.M. and I knew she was still unemployed. 

I drove to Laura’s apartment and tapped on her door.  It took a while but she answered, still wearing her bathrobe and a messy bun on her head. 

“Natalie, what’s going on?  Is everything okay?”  A quick look at the expression on my face and the rampant river of tears down my face woke her up. 

“Come in, come in.  Here are some tissues.  Oh sweetie, what happened?” 

“I, I…I can’t even say it.”  I groaned in between my hysterical choked up crying. 

“Natalie, did you get fired?”  Laura asked in a whisper, almost unable to say it herself. 

“Yesssss.”  I sob some more and a little bit louder. 

“Jiminy Christmas, what the hell were they thinking?  Did something happen?”

I explained to Laura Magda’s half assed excuse for firing me.  After about half an hour of complete meltdown, I calmed down a bit. 

“Wow, you really said that to Marcia?  You rock.  I’d been wanting to say that for years.  She’s such a bitch.”  I love Laura.  She always knows just what to say. 

“Oh no, I have a cooking class tonight.  Ugh, I don’t want to go at all now.” 

“You’re taking a cooking class?  Hmm, that’s cool.” 

“No, it isn’t cool at all.  My mother invited Ian and his little sister over for dinner last night.  While Ian and I were having one of our typical altercations, they signed us up for cooking classes.” 

“Wow, your mother likes him Natalie.” 

“Yeah, well then she can date him.  I find him despicable.” 

“Despicable and hot more like it!” 

“Yeah, he is hot, the bastard.  It makes it really difficult to hate him when part of me wants to tear his clothes off.” 

“Well, I know under these circumstances, you would like nothing more than to stay at home and watch all 6 seasons of Sex and the City, but I think it would do you some good to get out.” 

“Hm, I wonder what Carrie Bradshaw would do in a situation like this?”  I pondered for a moment and Laura and I both came to same conclusion.

“Natalie, I don’t think buying new shoes is going to help your situation.”  Laura warned but I had to do something.  I know it isn’t smart either but if I was going to face Ian O’Reilly tonight, I wanted to feel cute. 

“Come on.  I’ll use my emergency credit card.  It doesn’t have a huge credit line anyway so I can’t do that much damage.” 

Three hours later, I had a dark brown Coach Bag, new pair of Citizens, coral velvet blazer, cashmere turtleneck oh and a pair of dark brown Via Spiga boots.  I kind of went overboard but I needed to do it.  Besides, I got the boots on sale at Nordstrom Rack, the blazer and the turtleneck were from Gap and well, the rest were, luxury investments. 

“Okay shopping queen, do you feel better?” 

“Yeah, for the moment or until I get my statements showing the $527.50 shopping spree.”  Yikes.  I better get a job soon.

“Did you want to come in and hang out some more?  We could watch chick flicks and eat ice cream.”

“I better get home.  I’d like to take a nap before my evening of culinary hell.  Thank you Laura.” 

“For what?  That’s what friends are for.  Now go and prepare yourself.  You have to look hot.  Oh, and wear your sexy underwear.” 

I wasn’t sure the purpose of sexy underwear when it came to cooking class, but I figured it wouldn’t hurt. 

After a few hours of curling up in front of the television with the cat and my new Coach Bag, I figured it was time to get ready for the class.  Luckily, I already knew what I was going to wear so that made life a little bit easier.  The fact that Mya wasn’t going to be home until later on tonight also gave me a sigh of relief.  I love my dear friend but I just wasn’t ready to talk about my morning yet…not to mention my irresponsible shopping spree.  Maybe I was still in denial. 

Although it was rush hour traffic, the drive wasn’t too long.  Our class was held at a community college a few miles from my apartment.  I hadn’t ever been there and really had no idea even which room to go to.  Luckily, I arrived at the same time as Ian and we found it together.  Mr. Always-Be-Prepared apparently already did his research and knew exactly where to find it. 

“You look nice Natalie, something new?”  Why do people bother to compliment when they are obviously going to ruin it with another comment?

“Ian, I’m not in the mood for you to remind me of what a materialistic clone I am.  Let’s just get this stupid thing over with.” 

“That’s not what I said or meant Natalie.  Never mind, you’re right.  I don’t know what I was thinking agreeing to this anyway.  We clearly can’t spend more than minutes without bringing out the evil in our personalities.” 

“Okay class welcome!  If everyone could stand at a station we can begin.  My name is Gerard Le Bleu.  For those of you who have not heard of me, I was a chef for many years to stars such as Mimi Joy and Rolf Van Derzanden.”

“Have you ever heard of those people?”  Ian whispered in my ear. 

“No have you?”  I pride myself on my knowledge of obscure names in the entertainment field.  Yet, the people Chef Le Bleu name dropped were not even in
my
mental data. 

“Hm, mm.”  The Chef cleared his throat and cast his eyes in our direction.  He was a chubby little man with a balding gray head.  His cheeks had a rosy tint to them and when he smiled, they lit up even more.  I couldn’t decide if he was gay or just really excited over being a cooking teacher.  Nevertheless he tended to wave his arms a lot in glee. 

“Now since this class is Vegetarian Cooking for the 21
^st
Century, we are going to make an Apple, Onion and Gruyere Tart.  It is a succulent dish that can be served with a very basic arugula salad that will both satisfy and impress your dinner guests.”  Chef Le Bleu clapped his hands and I actually got a little excited at the fact that I might learn to make a vegetarian dinner for my carnivore friends.

We gathered all of our supplies and got down to business.  I had some difficulty with rolling out the dough but Ian helped by adding more flour to the board. 

“Ah yes, this is what I like to see.  Neighbor is helping neighbor.  Cooking should not be a competition, it should be a delight!”  Ian and I looked at each other and could not help but laugh. 

“Well, maybe there is hope for us yet.  I haven’t thought about ringing your neck for at least 12 minutes Ian.  You should be proud.”  I say while finely chopping my onions. 

“Back at ya, Everett.  But don’t fret; I’m sure I will make some sort of comment or joke that will be offensive to get me back on your list.”  He winked and walked over to the refrigerator to chill the dough.

I stopped chopping my onion and just stared at him as he walked away.  I was smiling and giggling to myself like a teenager and I think the Chef noticed.  As he was assisting a young lady across the room, I noticed him smiling at me as though he knew this class was more than just about learning to cook. 

“I have to say, I was very surprised that my meal turned out as well as it did.”  Ian said as we walked to our cars. 

“Me too, besides, I needed a night like this to get my mind off my life.”  Oops, too much information.  For a moment, I got a little too comfortable with Ian and forgot that I should not be opening up with information such as…

“I got fired today.”  Hello, Natalie, didn’t we just decide to ourselves that we should not be talking to
Ian
about this?  Hmm, maybe I should be talking to someone besides the voices in my head, psycho.  Oh wait I can’t now because I don’t have health insurance.  Shut up!

“Are you ok?  Natalie?”  Ian asks as I try to come out of my inner conversation.

“Huh?”  I respond feeling a bit embarrassed.

“Are you alright?  What happened?  Sorry, I’m sure the last thing you want right now is 20 questions.  Would you like to go have some coffee somewhere and talk?”  I really didn’t want to go home right now and in all honesty, I also didn’t want my night with Ian to end.  I was actually having a good time.  I wasn’t angry with him or feeling competitive.  I was comfortable and relaxed and felt like he was a friend for the first time, not my enemy. 

“I think I would like that.  Are you sure though?  Do you have to get back to Maggie?” 

“Crap, I dropped her off at your mother’s tonight.  I know she isn’t a kid anymore but I feel funny leaving her alone at night, you know? It’s interesting too because Maggie and your mother are becoming thick as thieves.  You better watch it, you may be getting replaced.”