Chapter Four

    After I finished up with the dishes, I hear the door open, and Bentley runs up to me. He is holding a lollipop, the sticky red sugar coated all over his face and hands. "Hellllloo??" Brianna said in a sing-song voice as she plunged through the door. I grabbed a baby wipe, and scooped Bentley up to get some off the goo off of him. After I released him, he ran into the living room where Bri had already plopped herself down on the couch, flip flops tossed across the floor.
  
I followed my nephew into the room, and plopped down next to her on the couch. "Have you been smoking?..." Brianna said, eying me. I rolled my eyes. "No, Bri. I am just tired". "Where did you disappear to earlier?" she pried. "Well, that's something I want to talk to you about. See...I got this job offer-"
Why does everyone like to cut me off?
   
"Oh my god, Vanessa! Congratulations! Is it at the same place or..." she trailed off. "See, that's what I want to talk to you about." Her lips pressed into a hard line as I proceeded, she got the hint. "Well, I got this job offer. It's a supervisor position, with a 60% pay increase." Her eyes lit up with excitement, but she let me continue. "I will have living expenses paid and everything as well...", "Nessa! That's great!..wait, living expenses? Does that mean you have to move?" Her voice got a tad lower at the end of the question., and my heart sank. I gulped, "Yes." I said, holding back. I didn't even want to tell her, but it's something I have to at least consider. "To like, another part of town? Another state?..what?" She asked. "Well, to another continent." Her eyes got bigger. "They want me to go down to Australia so I can supervise wildlife workers and volunteers" I closed my eyes, clutching the couch tighter.

She still hasn't said anything?

    I have never seen Brianna Lockheart speechless, a day in my life. After struggling with what to say, she let out a quiet "Oh", so I quickly added. "Yeah, see they wanted to up my pay by 40% and today the woman from our company over in Queensland called in to have a meeting with me, and I told her no but she said that she see's me best for the job, she is really pushy."

You're rambling, Vanessa. Stop it!

    Brianna is quiet, and I can see her eyebrows wrinkle just under her florescent blue bangs.
Say something, anything?
    After a short pause, and what seemed like 10 minutes of silence, she opened her mouth and said, "I think you should do it." I was so taken aback that I had to sit there and think for a minute. "Vanessa, I have known you my whole life, okay? I have seen you day after day. No guys take your interest, you have no hobbies besides work, and the only time I see a genuine smile out of you is when you are playing with Bentley."

Bentley.

    She continued, "You always do things for other people. You helped me raise my son. You were there for me even when my family shut me out for choosing to be a mom over going to some college that wouldn't count for anything, for me at least, anyway. I want to see you happy, and this might be the kick in the a*s you need to find some...some...passion in your life. Some meaning. Do this for you. Bentley and I will be fine." I looked over at the little boy I used to rock to sleep. My chest was tight. "You can still skype with us, and talk on the phone, and visit on holidays, but seriously Vanessa, take this job." She had a very determined look on her face. Much the same face I remember Melanie having when she insisted that I be the best fit. I wish I could be so sure.

    I didn't get much sleep. I tossed and turned all night. Everyday, I would watch people. Everyday, I would see beautiful murals painted by underground graffiti artists, wishing I had the inspiration to be able to create something with meaning. Something magnificent. Bri was right, I always did things for other people. Maybe I should take this job. And if I don't like it, I can always quit and come back home, right?

    I walked into the office the next day, and my head was pounding. I could feel a knot in my stomach and I knew that I would have to give Miss Loveless...er, Melanie, my choice. Sitting down at my desk, I shoved my hand into my drawer, fishing out some ibuprofen to help with my head. I was dead tired, and not feeling up to this at all. An hour later, my phone rang. It was Mr. Lloyd's extension. He summoned me to his office.
    When I got inside, I saw my boss and Melanie. On the other side of her was a small male, couldn't be any older than me, typing away on a tablet. The room got silent as I made my entrance and took a seat. I was greated with warm smiles, as I inched in my chair. "Thank you for joining us, Vanessa." Mr. Lloyd started. "This is Glenn, my assistant." Melanie said, referring to the man to her left. Glenn looked up, and flushed. He gave me a small smile and greeted me. I returned the smile back.

Faker.

    "So Miss Rose, I need to know if you have taken my proposal into consideration?" All three members of the room were looking at me. I could feel my temperature rise with anxiety. "Yes, I have. After thinking it through, I would like to accept your offer. However, if this job is not suited me, will I be able to break free of this contract?" I sounded much more confident then I felt. "Yes, Miss Rose...", "Vanessa"
Why didn't I have her call me that prior?"
"Vanessa. If you read the contract there is a clause that says you may opt out of the contract at any time, however, give us a months notice instead of the usual two weeks to find a replacement. However, I don't feel you will need to. I have faith that you will love this job, and the benefits it possesses." This is a relief. "Of course, I look forward to working with you." I say, planting yet another smile on my face. "Great! Glenn will take care of all of the arrangements, if you could just sign the contract then we can get everything in place." I took out the white folder I had clutched under my arm.

I took a deep breath.

And signed.