The Green Ticket

by Samantha March

  I laughed. “That’s a good one. Thanks for sharing.”

  We continued to talk about odd preferences, then morphed into favorite foods and then favorite movies. Twenty minutes later, Henry declared dinner complete and we feasted on spaghetti and meatballs, cheesy garlic bread, and yummy caesar salad.

  “You are an amazing cook,” I said, my mouth full of lettuce.

  Henry laughed. “None of this stuff was too difficult to whip up. It’s mostly just time consuming.”

  I nodded, taking a sip of wine. I wasn’t a wine connoisseur, but the fruity taste seemed to pair well enough with my meal. “Well, I think it’s great. Lila and I don’t eat the best at home. We barely ever cook.”

  “When will she be back?”

  “She’ll get in tomorrow night. I can’t wait to hear how everything went.”

  “What if she tells you she’s moving to LA permanently?”

  I looked down at my plate. My best friend moving away from me? “Um, I haven’t really thought that far ahead yet. It’s just too...bizarre. I can’t imagine not having Lila here.”

  Henry gazed at me, and I forced myself to meet his stare. “It’s okay to be sad about it, Alex. I can’t imagine Lila leaving either. But on a different hand, I can.”

  “And which hand is that?” I questioned, pulling another piece of garlic bread away from the rest.

  “The hand that sees Lila is bored. I’ve only hung out with her a few times, but she’s fairly easy to read. She’s always talking about what the celebrities are wearing or doing or filming or screwing. She talks like she knows them already. I think she would probably fit in really well out there.”

  Henry had realized all of that from just talking to Lila a few times? Why hadn’t I picked up on that? Oh, right–– I didn’t want to. I didn’t want Lila to leave.

  “I don’t want Lila to leave,” I blurted out.

  “Of course you don’t,” Henry said, matter of fact. “She’s your best friend.”

  “But I want my best friend to be happy,” I said slowly.

  “Of course you do.”

  “So I’m just going to be happy for her either way. If she gets the opportunity, then great. If she doesn’t, I’ll just push for her to keep trying.” I looked at Henry for confirmation.

  “That’s right. That’s what you’ll do, because you’re a good friend.”

  I chewed silently for a moment. “My boss is sleeping with another employee.”

  Henry froze with his fork halfway to his mouth. “I’m sorry?”

  “My boss. Kevin. He’s cheating on his wife. With a lot of different people.” Why was I spilling these secrets to Henry now? Not even Lila knew what was going on at Blissful–– to the full extent anyway.

  “Okay. Um, I think you might have to give me the full story here, Alex. Start from the beginning.”

  So I told Henry. I went through all the sordid details of Kevin and how he treated the employees and how I had caught him with several other women. About Kamille and my note to make her quit. And the money I was making on the side to cover it up. By the time I was finished, my wine glass was empty and dinner was gone.

  “Wow. That’s a pretty rough situation. What are you going to do?” Henry looked stunned by all my bombshells. Poor guy. He thought he was just getting a nice date with a normal girl tonight.

  “I have no idea. I haven’t cashed my latest check. How the hell do I explain a $10,000 check? My sister has access to my bank accounts; what if she looks one day and questions me? How I am supposed to explain myself, my ethics, my morals? I’m helping a married man carry on with his affairs. All for what? To keep my job? I hate my job! I hate Kevin! I don’t get the respect from him that I deserve. I’m treated like some lowly assistant rather than a manager. The employees are great, except for Kamille and her backstabbing ways, but now she’s gone and I love running the place. But the no time off is killing me and my grades and my social life and the whole place just makes me feel...icky. I feel icky, Henry, every time I walk in that place.”

  “Icky isn’t good. Your job–– or really, your career–– shouldn’t make you feel this way. Do you consider Blissful and being a manager your career? Is that where you want to stay, or at least do with your life?”

  I stood and helped Henry carry our dishes over to the sink. He started rinsing them and loading the dishwasher while I thought over his question. “I really love what I do at Blissful. I’ve always been interested in the spa business, and running the place makes me happy and I feel important. It’s so empowering to make decisions on when to run sales and how to advertise and think of good marketing deals for the holidays. I would love to open my own spa one day and really run it the way I envision it.”

  “Have you ever looked into what it takes to open one?”

  “Not really. I don’t have the time. I know that sounds like a poor excuse, but I really don’t. I barely have time to eat a full meal anymore.”

  We moved into the living room, where we sat side by side on the couch. Henry wrapped his arm around me and I snuggled into his shoulder. I was flattered that he was talking this out with me. It made me feel that he was invested in me, that he really cared about my thoughts and feelings.

  “Maybe you need to make that time. We could do it tonight if you want to,” he offered.

  “Tonight? But we have movie night planned out,” I protested, not wanting to ruin our date.

  “I think this might be more important. I won’t lie to you, Alex–– after what you said about Kevin, I’m pretty uncomfortable with you working at Blissful. This man seems shady, and I’m wondering when he’s going to make a move on you.”

  “On me?” I scoffed. “Kevin hasn’t tried to pull anything on me. I don’t think I have to worry about that.”

  “You never know. It’s just a concern I have. I would hate for something to happen between you two when you’re alone at the spa some night. What if he really tries to hurt you? I think it’s best if you start looking for other jobs right away, but still do some research on opening up your own.”

  “But I’m only twenty. Twenty-one in a few days sure, but still. What bank is going to give me a loan for that? I have six months of managing a salon under my belt. Big whoop. That’s nothing.”

  “You should talk to my sister. She opened her own boutique all on her own, with barely any experience. And she opened her store right out of college. I bet she could give you some pointers and advice.”

  I had yet to meet Henry’s sister, Kate, who lived in Milwaukee. He talked about her quite a bit and she sounded like a smart woman who had her act together. Maybe she would be able to help me.

  “I don’t know. It’s a big risk, opening a business. What if it fails?”

  “Honestly, it probably will.” I glared at Henry, who immediately put his hands up in defense. “Hear me out. Most small businesses fail. You’ve taken the courses. I’m sure you know that a lot of small businesses go under in the first year. That’s why you can’t rush this process. Start looking around for other jobs first. Spa jobs, maybe a managing position if you can get lucky. But I don’t think you can keep getting your soul sucked at Blissful. You’re not happy, Alex.”

  I absorbed Henry’s words. How the hell did I find such a smart guy? “I’m not happy. I’m not. I’m sad and disgusted and horrified and mad. I feel angry whenever I just think about Blissful. I hate how corporate Kevin is and how he only cares about money and women. It’s gross and disturbing and I can’t work for someone like that. The hours kill me. My schoolwork is slipping. I do see the benefits–– the experience I’m getting–– but I can’t make that one positive outweigh all the negatives. You’re right. I need a new job.”

  Henry and I sat in silence for a while, me thinking about what the hell I was going to do next. Would I really get a second chance at managing a spa? Would I really be able to pull together a business plan and open my own company? It seemed too daunting to even take seriously.

  Henry and I w
ere able to watch the movie we rented, only after I promised three times I would start a new job hunt tomorrow on my day off. In between kisses, I took a moment to reflect on how happy I was with Henry. What a frickin catch I had made.

  $$$

  The next night, Sunday, Lila strolled into the apartment around four o’clock. I had offered to pick her up from the airport, but she told me during one of our phone conversations that Mary had arranged a car service to take her home. A car service. Lucky duck. I was lounging on the couch, making final notes on the Valentine’s Day specials we would be running at Blissful when the door opened.

  “Honey, I’m home!” Lila shouted, throwing her suitcase aside and stretching out her arms.

  I squealed, jumping to my feet to embrace her. “You’re home! And you’re so tan. I’m extremely jealous. Did you work at all or just lay on the beach? Did you get signed? Did you meet Brad Pitt?”

  Lila laughed, letting me go and taking a seat on the couch. I joined her. “So many questions! Okay–– no I didn’t get to go to the beach. We were constantly moving around and meeting with people, but Mary did have me do a spray tan once I got there, so that’s all this is.” She gestured towards her bronzed arms.

  “A spray tan?”

  “Yeah, I had to get naked in front of some lady and she basically painted a tan on me with a nozzle. It was bizarre, cold and a little uncomfortable, but look how tan I am! And no UV rays or any chance of skin cancer.”

  Lila did look good. I made a mental note to think about adding a spray tan to Blissful. That could be a popular option for those who avoided tanning beds.

  “Besides, it was a little chilly out there. Definitely not like here, but I’d say in the fifties and sixties. It rained almost every day, so the beach wasn’t really an option, even if we did have the time.”

  She paused, and I stared at her expectedly. “So? The biggest question–– were you signed? Did you find someone to represent you and make you into a star?” Are you moving away from me? I bit my tongue from asking that last question.

  Lila took a deep breath, and I saw my answer in her sparkling eyes before she spoke. “Yes. Yes! Can you believe it, Alex? Mary helped me get signed with Ross Ricchio, who runs Ricchio Talent Management, or RTM. I actually had a few offers, but Mary steered me towards Ross and I signed on the dotted line and –– and I’m doing it. I’m really doing it.” Lila suddenly burst into tears, which threw me off balance.

  “Hey, hey, what’s the matter? Aren’t you thrilled? This is your dream come true. You’re getting a shot with a real agent and agency and someone who can find you great jobs.” I wrapped my friend in a hug and tried to soothe her. “What’s with the crying? You have to be so excited.”

  “I am. I am excited. But I’m terrified, Al. What if I mess it all up? What if I’m no good? What if I can’t make any friends out there and I’m alone and have to start buying cats? What if I turn into a spoiled celebrity and get triple D boobs and injections that make my lips look like fish and dye my hair platinum blonde?”

  “Did you make a detour at that bunny house you’re always talking about?” I asked, only half joking.

  Lila laughed, pulling back and wiping her face with her fingertip. “The Playboy mansion. No, we didn’t get to stop there, unfortunately. But I saw a ton of girls who looked like plastic versions of the same person. It was creepy. I don’t want to turn into that.”

  “You have to make sure you stay grounded. Call me a lot. Call your family a lot. I’m sure you’ll be able to find one other person out there who hasn’t turned into a Barbie zombie. It might take a little bit, but you’ll find that person. And then you two have to rely on each other to keep your cool and not get a ton of plastic surgery –– which by the way –– would totally freak me out. You better not look plastic when I come out to visit you.”

  “How am I going to leave you?” Lila burst into a fresh set of tears. “And my family, my sisters? You and Hannie and Carmen and Emma? I’m scared to start over. Everyone I know and love is here. Iowa is comfortable.”

  “But you’re bored here, Lila. You’d continue to be bored here if you don’t go. You at least have to try. Maybe once you get to LA and get in the groove of things you’ll realize it’s not for you. And that would be okay too. I would not complain if you moved back. But at least you’ll know you tried. You chased your dream.” I knew that Lila wasn’t really doubting her move to LA. It had been all she talked about for years. But it was normal to be scared, and I could recognize her fear above all else.

  “I guess it will be nice to get away from these shitty winters,” Lila admitted, giving a little sniffle.

  “Um, are you kidding me? I think I got frostbite the other day when I went to scrape off my car. I’m definitely making sure to plan my trips to see you in the January time frame.”

  Lila’s blue eyes started to sparkle again. “I can wear my cute dresses every day and open-toed shoes.”

  “And get more spray tans when you can’t go to the beach.”

  “And rub elbows with celebrities. You’ll never guess who I saw eating lunch at the same place Mary and I were eating.”

  “Who?”

  “Alyssa Milano!”

  Blank stare. “Who?”

  “Seriously, Alex. Alyssa Milano. Who’s the Boss?” Blank. “Charmed.” Blanker. “I’ll Google her picture. You’ll know her when you see her.”

  “Okay. I guess I’ll have to be much more up to date on celebrities so we still have things to talk about when you call me. You will still call me, right?” My own fear kicked in. I was just realizing that my best friend was going to be moving miles and miles away from me. Everything was about to change.

  Lila must have noticed the terror in my own eyes. She smiled and squeezed my hand. “Of course I’ll call, Alex. And email. Even Skype. You’re my best friend.”

  I nodded, holding the tears back with all my might. I was happy for Lila. She deserved to get her big chance. I really wasn’t even jealous –– at least not for the fact that she was moving and her life was about to become a million times more exciting than my own. That was her destiny, not mine. But I was jealous that she had figured it out, and I was just stuck at Blissful watching Kevin cheat on his wife.

  “When are you going to tell the girls? I was thinking we should all do a big dinner tonight to celebrate. Get dressed up and go out and have a few drinks. I’m thinking Mexican, that way Hannah and I don’t get carded.” We never got ID’d at our favorite Mexican restaurant, La Bamba, and they had killer margaritas. “Then you could tell everyone your news together.”

  “Sounds like a plan. I’ll send them a text.” We were quiet for a few moments while Lila texted and I gathered up my advertising plans and stuck them in a folder.

  “Everyone’s in. They’ll meet us here around six-ish,” Lila said, tossing her phone back in her purse. “I’m going to try to unpack a little bit. Want to help me?”

  “Yes.” I answered immediately, and we smiled at each other. I think we both felt the same way–– we just wanted to be by each other. Our days as roommates were numbered. Which reminded me–– “Hey, when are you actually moving? And what about classes?”

  “They want me out there as soon as possible, so I’ll be leaving after this term. Mary is helping me with the paperwork that Kaufman will require and setting me up with online classes once I’m out there. I don’t want to go through three years of school and have nothing to show for it. I want to get my degree. There’s no guarantee this will work out, so I would like to have a backup plan. ”

  I followed Lila into her room, finding a seat on her bed amidst all the clothes, shoes, and makeup items scattered about. “That’s smart. I think that’s a good decision. So terms ends February second. About two more weeks then?”

  “Yep.” Lila paused, then unzipped her suitcase. “Gosh, that doesn’t seem far away. Holy shit. I’m moving to LA.”

  “Holy shit,” I echoed. I worried she might get emotional again,
so I quickly asked, “Tell me about your agent! Ross? Do you like him or is he creepy?”

  Lila chatted away about Ross, who seemed like a fairly normal guy (by LA standards) while she unpacked the rest of her suitcase. I asked her about her living situation (Mary and Ross would help hook her up with an apartment and roommate) when she thought she would start jobs (hopefully within three months) and what she thought of the LA guys (very tan, very white teeth, very metro). By the time she finished talking and unpacking it was nearing five-thirty and we had to get ready for our dinner.

  After changing our outfits –– me in dark skinny jeans and a lace long-sleeved top, Lila in a dark blue sweater dress and knee-high boots –– we crammed into the bathroom to do our makeup. It felt strange knowing that our time squeezing ourselves into this miniscule bathroom was now limited. Afraid if she or I brought it up and we would start crying, I decided to fill her in about Blissful and see if she could help me make a decision about staying.

  Somewhere between the primer and fake eyelashes, Lila stopped with the makeup application and just stared at me as I spoke. “So your weird feeling about Allie was correct. I still can’t believe she would fool around with Kevin. I cashed the five thousand dollar check because it was doubling as my Christmas bonus. But ten thousand? What the hell am I supposed to do with that?”

  “Holy shit, Alex. That’s a lot of money you’re talking about. I can’t believe he can just throw that many Benjamin’s around. Sheesh.”

  “Yeah, they have a shit ton of money. Which doesn’t make me feel so bad that he’s giving so much to me, but isn’t Dani noticing these checks?”

  “Do you think Dani knows about Kevin’s ways?” Lila asked, turning back to the mirror and running a blush brush over her cheeks.

  “Like, does she know about the affairs? And that he can just pay people off?”

  “I don’t know, just wondering. You would have to think that with so many women and so much money being spent she would have to know. Or at least have an idea.”