Another coworker waved at Brinley but she didn’t bother waving back. She unlocked her office and closed the door on Tia.
“You’re so rude.”
“And yet, you’re still at my damn door. Go away.”
Brinley sat down and placed her laptop bag on her desk. She eased herself into her chair as she opened the blinds to allow some light in.
Ring. Ring. Ring.
She rolled her eyes. “What in the hell is wrong with everybody?”
“Hello!”
“Good morning.”
“Good morning to you.”
“What’s wrong?”
“I just got to work and people are already talking to you.”
“Oh shit. Don’t snap on the people.”
“They know how I am about my quiet time when I get to work. I don’t understand why there is always one that doesn’t understand.”
“Was it Tia? I know that chick was ready to talk your head off.”
“Exactly. I had to close the door on her ass. I don’t have the time or energy this morning.”
“Did you run this morning?”
“I did.”
“What’s the problem then?”
“I’m tired. Trying to date someone while I’m trying to prepare for this race is doing something to me.”
“Date? Hold up? Don’t tell me that you’re about to be booed up?”
“Booed up? I’m too damn old. Leave the lingo.”
“You aren’t old. Stop acting like an old maid.”
“I have someone for you.”
“To do what with?”
“You sound old.”
“I know. Unless he’s willing to travel to me. I can’t do anything with him.”
“How is that going for you?”
“It’s going. I’m ready to see where I’ll be living for the time that I’m here.”
“What television show are you working on?”
“I can’t tell you that. And you know it.”
“I thought that I would ask. Is it a good one? Is it one that I will enjoy?”
“I think so. I don’t take jobs that I don’t personally enjoy.”
“I can’t always tell with you.”
“Whatever. Let’s talk about this person that you have for me.”
“Oh yeah. So much has happened since you’ve been gone.”
“I’ve only been gone for a few days.”
“And things change every minute.”
“Are those people still harassing you?”
“I don’t want to talk about that right now.”
“Why? What happened this time?”
“It’s too early in the morning to explain all that has transpired in the last few days. I need to get logging in and getting to work.”
“Those people can wait. Tell me what’s going on?”
“Once I get some wine after work I’ll let you know,” she laughed.
“I’m serious. You’re about to piss me off.”
“I’m safe, alive and well. I’m not going to let hatred stop me from being me.”
“Here you go with this bullshit again. Don’t start.”
“I’m not going to start. I was only stating the truth.”
“Save that bullshit ass truth. Stop trying to see the positive in this situation. It’s going to end one of two ways. Good or bad. Somebody is going to get hurt really bad or death.”
“Why do you think like that?”
“Like what, realistic?”
“I guess. I don’t like to think about death.”
“We all have to die one day. Stop acting like you’re naïve to it.”
“I’m not. That still doesn’t mean that I like talking about it.”
“Brinley, you stress me out so damn bad.”
“Like you don’t. Are you living somewhere safe? I know how you go for cheap and things go south.”
“I know how to protect myself.”
“Did you travel with your gun?”
“What if I did?”
“Grey hairs. You’re going to cause every single one that I have.”
“You’re so dramatic. Grey hair is maturity.”
“Not on me it’s not. I’m not mature enough to handle a head full of greys. I need to be sexy with my black.”
“I called to see how you were doing. Since I know that you’re still foolish, I’ll let you go.”
“It’s sad that I love you too,” Brinley started laughing.
“Make sure to stay—-
“I’m staying safe,” she cut in. “Make sure you’re staying safe. You’re in an unfamiliar area. Make sure to pay attention to your surroundings.”
“I am.”
“I’ll talk to you later.”
Chapter Thirteen
There was a light knock on the office door that made Brinley jump.
“Tia, I told you that I needed a moment.”
“Umm... Ma’am there is someone here to see you.”
Brinley jumped up and walked to unlocked the door.
“Yes.”
Standing behind Tia was Maverick who appeared to look different from earlier. Brinley tried to hide her smile.
“Well, good morning.”
“Good morning to you, too.”
“By the smile on your face, I assume that you know him.”
Maverick smiled back. “I know you didn’t tell me where you work at but I had to stop by and see you again.”
“And on that note, it’s time for me to go.”
“Thanks for bringing him to me.”
“No problem.”
“How did you know where I worked?”
“I can read. It’s not hard,” he smiled. “Can we close the door?”
“Oh my bad. I was so stuck that you came. Don’t you have to work?”
“I have an interview tomorrow. I took today off.”
“You didn’t mention that this morning.”
“I know. It slipped my mind.”
“I bet it did.”
Maverick was dressed in his khaki slacks, a light blue shirt and brown loafers.
“You look nice and smell nicer. What do I own this visit? I don’t need you dropping in unannounced. You’re going to have the office talking.”
“Whatever. Let them talk. I came to see you. I left kind of in a hurry earlier and I wanted to check on you.”
“That’s what the phone is for. You didn’t have to drive 45 minutes one way to see me.”
“I know that I didn’t. I did though. Let me worry about the drive and the time.”
“Well excuse me.”
“I’m tired of you worrying about the wrong things.”
Brinley sat down behind her desk and Maverick followed.
There was a spark in the air that made Brinley think of the nervous moments before giving a public speech. She let out a loud sigh that made Maverick smile.
“What’s wrong? Do I make you nervous?”
“Not at all.”
“Are you lying?”
“No.”
“Okay,” he stated sitting back. “Are you a manager?”
“Something like that. They expect me to work hard but I’m tired of doing that.”
“Is that right?”
“Yes. I’m tired of working hard.”
“You’re not working hard for them. You’re doing it for yourself until you can find something better.”
“I haven’t been looking.”
“It’s never too late. Isn’t that what you told me?”
“When did I say that?”
“Maybe you didn’t but I felt like you did.”
Brinley started laughing.
“Who was that woman that brought me in?”
“Umm. Why did she hit on you?”
“I seen her leaning in to smell me.”
“Is that right?” she laughed.
“It’s not funny. I don’t remember the last time that someone sniffed me.”
“Well, I think
I did the other day. Maybe you didn’t see it.”
“I think you enjoyed me doing it. But I won’t tell anyone else.”
“I’m not saying that I didn’t.”
“I need to get to work and put these fires out. I’m sure they’re looking for me.”
Maverick rolled his eyes and stood up.
“We’re still on for tonight?”
“Yes, unless you don’t bring the food. That means you need to stay home,” she joked.
He didn’t bother responding to that particular message. He looked back before opening the door. “You look and smell great. I like your hair in that bun.”
“Oh thanks,” she smiled touching her hair. She didn’t have time to do her usual two strand flat twists, so instead she put it in a curly bun.
“You’re welcome. I’ll see you later.”
“We shall see,” he answered closing the door.
Tia was standing at the other end of the hallway watching the door like a hawk. Right before Brinley had time to close the door, Tia put her hand up to stop her.
“What are you doing?”
“Minding your business.”
“You don’t need to do that. You need to get back to your area and worry about yourself.”
“I am once I find out what’s going on.”
“Umm. Ma’am, it’s to your best interest to mind your business.”
“I’m asking the questions.”
Brinley stepped back and stood in the doorway.
“What? Don’t try and intimidate me. I’m making sure that you’re being careful. He looks like a player.”
“And you look like a fool by being in my business. Let me worry about if he’s a player, a pimp, a fool or a whore. I got me. Make sure you have yourself when it comes to relationships.”
“I was only—
“You don’t have to do anything but your job and go home. I don’t understand what the issue is with that.”
Brinley stepped inside of her office, closed her door and opened her laptop. She turned on her oil diffuser. “It never amazes me that people don’t know their place. I didn’t ask for advice on how to handle my life. That’s why I don’t like people especially men that I’m dating coming up to my job. Damn, nosey ass people.”
BRINLEY: I know that you mean well but please don’t come to my job anymore.
MAVERICK: Haha. I knew this text was coming.
BRINLEY: You shouldn’t be surprised.
MAVERICK: I’m sorry. I should have mentioned it to you before I decided to come.
BRINLEY: You meant well but people are too damn nosey. I got it handled.
MAVERICK: I know that you do. Was it the same woman that walked me in?
BRINLEY: Yep. Smh
MAVERICK: She’s persistent.
BRINLEY: As hell.
SHE PUT HER PHONE FACE down on her desk as she navigated through the different apps on her laptop. She pulled up her email and the first thing she noticed was an urgent message.
Dear Brinley Campbell,
It has been brought to our attention that you have an undocumented visitor. We need you to go home and clock in for work.
Brinley paused as she almost slapped her laptop screen down but decided against it.
You know that we don’t take those type of things slightly. You are not fired but we need you to work from home until further notice.
Signed,
Management
Brinley started typing. “Y’all can kiss my ass.”
She deleted the whole message. Closed her email. Snapped down her laptop and unplugged her diffuser. Something told her to grab all of her belongings but she was too piss to try and grab anything but her laptop and her purse. She took a few deep breaths before walking out the door.
“Where are you in a hurry to?”
“Bring your ass outside.”
“Huh? What did I do?”
“Bring your ass outside. I need to talk to you for a minute.”
“About what? I can’t leave my area.”
Brinley stepped closer to Tia. “It’s mighty funny that you can’t leave your area but you have been all up in my damn business this morning. If you’re the one that mentioned my visitor to someone and I find out about it. That’s going to be your ass.”
“Brinley, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I bet you don’t,” she snapped as she walked away without looking away. Other coworkers were looking on as Brinley walked out. She wanted to scream for all of them to kiss her ass but she was trying to get out of dodge and fast.
“Hello!”
“Yes. What’s wrong? Why all of the emotions in your voice? You sound like you’re out of breath.”
“I want to quit this damn job so bad. I can’t stand these people.”
“What happened? You were good not too long ago.”
“I know. I got a damn email about my visitor.”
“What visitor?”
“My guy friend came to see me today. Hell, I didn’t know that he was coming.”
“What’s the problem?”
“I’ll have to take a picture and send it to you. I’m leaving the office now.”
“Is your staff all white? Some funky shit has been going on with people of a different race bothering you?”
“There are a few minorities but not many. That email came from a white person, I think.”
“Listen, don’t respond to the email unless they send something else. I don’t want you sending them anything that they can use against you.”
“I sure was about to send them an email that said kiss my ass. I can’t believe that email said, to go home and work since I had an unannounced visitors. Do you know how many white men I see come through this damn place and nothing is done?”
“You already know what standard they’re living on. Where are you?”
“In the parking garage. I’m about to get in my car.”
“Call me when you get home.”
“I will.”
“I love you and don’t let those people get to you.”
“That shit was wrong. I love you too.”
“Don’t cry.”
“Too late,” she struggled as she tried to get into the car.
“What? Never mind. Get home safely but take your time. Cry it out before you get on the road.”
“I am. Thanks. I’ll call you once I get home.”
TIA: I didn’t say anything about your visitor. I swear that it wasn’t me. I didn’t know what you were talking about until there was a mass email sent out.
Brinley started her car and threw her phone in the passenger seat. She wasn’t in the mood to be the talk of the office for nothing.
“I will sue and have them shut the whole business down.”
Brinley managed to get to the store before heading back home.
“How are you doing today?”
“I’m going to be better once I get this bottle of wine and chocolate.”
“Long day?”
“Long hateful morning. I’ll be alright now. How are you doing?”
“Apparently better than you.”
“And that’s good. I hope your day continues to be good.”
“Yours will get better.”
“Thanks.”
“Your total is 20.15.”
Brinley swiped her card.
“Brinley, I know you haven’t dished work?”
“I’m so tired of everybody being in my business. I’m grown I can do what I want. If I did dish, it’s my business.”
“Hold up. I was only kidding.”
“Gavin, right now is not the time to be playing with me.”
“Yes, man. I think you need to leave her be and gone about your business.”
“You heard the young man. He said gone,” she laughed as she grabbed her bag and receipt.
“She’s a woman. They are emotional creatures.”
“I got your creature,” she stated pinching his arm.
“See? Abusive.”
“Thank you. I hope you have a great day.”
“You too ma’am.”
“Where are you going?”
“To work. Why?”
“When did you start taking wine to work? I need to get hired at your job because mine isn’t anything like yours.”
“What do you want?”
“I saw you and I decided to speak. I don’t understand your attitude.”
“I don’t either. I’m sick of people. They are getting on my last damn nerves.”
“Brinley, are you crying?”
“Yes. Yes, I am. Like you said we’re emotional creatures.”
“No. Something is wrong. What happened? You cry a lot but this one seems to be different.”
“I hate my job and I’m about to start looking for a new one.”
“What happened?”
“I work with a bunch of assholes. They take the meaning of that word to another level.”
“Think about it. Sleep on it.”
“I don’t need to. They told me to go home because an unannounced visitor came to my office.”
“Is the person killer or something? Did he harm someone while he/she was there?”
“Nope.”
“Sounds like something else is going on.”
“I know. Double standard shit. Talking about go home and work until further notice.”
“Oh,” he paused putting his hand over his mouth.
“Excuse me,” a customer stated as he tried to get by and into the store.
“We’re sorry. We’re standing in the store like we’re at home. Let me get to the house. I might clock in and clock back out for a mental day.”
“That’s a good idea.”
“I’m tired.”
“I’ll check on you later.”
“Thanks, but you don’t have to.”
“I know but I’m still going to do it. Answer the phone too,” he smiled.
“I’ll think about it.”
Gavin shook his head as he headed back inside of the store.
Chapter Fourteen
Brinley pulled into her driveway and exhaled. She glanced around the neighborhood. “I wonder if all of this was triggered by the stuff that’s going on around me. I’ve never had any issues with visitors before.”
BRINLEY: I’m taking a personal day.
MANAGER: Okay.
Brinley grabbed her grocery bag, her laptop bag and her purse, she shook her head as she realized this was going to get worse before it got better. Why the hell didn’t she say anything else about me taking off?
Running Deeper Than a Race Page 9