by S. E. Law
I continue whispering affirmations to myself. Keeping my confidence and spirits up.
“There he is, George. I can't believe you didn't see him. He's so tall!” Sounds like my mom has spotted the man of the hour. I look at where she’s pointing, and my breath leaves my body. Jesus Christ, he is a beautiful man. I know I just saw him, but memories and pictures are nothing like seeing him in the flesh.
I could die.
“Come on, family. Time to go say hi.”
I follow my parents to what is most certainly going to be a very uncomfortable interaction.
5
Brick
Today is another one of our company functions. It's a barbecue this time since we are in the warmer months. We try to do fun events like this for the employees a few times a year. I believe in maintaining a fun and comfortable work environment for others, even if I myself do not get the most joy out of these events.
“They're not totally horrible, Brick,” Robert says. “Maybe they suck a little, but I wouldn't call them hell on Earth.”
“Okay. Maybe I exaggerated a little bit.” Socializing might feel like a personal hell at times, but I could cool it on the hatred.
Robert is always trying to convince me that these functions we put on for the company are actually a good time. I don’t know, maybe they are. I’ve just personally never found them particularly enjoyable. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind mingling with my employees or getting to know them, but they all treat me with this reverence that I just find annoying. I know they are all just trying to stay on my good side. I’ll be the first to admit that I have a bit of a temper, but it’s not like I bust it out of nowhere.
I reserve my wrath for people who truly deserve it. As long as someone does a good job and doesn’t overstep, I’m happy. But I’m not going to leave Robert to handle this all by himself – even if he is the one who started this situation in the first place.
“Clearly, Brick. If I recall correctly, you have had fun at these events before.”
“You may be recalling some events in a correct manner,” I admit. “Dude, I’m just a little tired. There’s so much I am trying to get done this year with Brick Productions, and I’ve only got a few months left. I just don’t want to mess any of this up.”
“I know. Which is why a relaxing Saturday barbecue is just what you need.” I’m never going to get one over on Robert. He’s too fucking astute. “I’m going to hit the showers. Don’t want to be all stinky and sweaty in front of our employees.”
“I’m going to take one when I get home.”
“Okay, then. I’ll see you at the campgrounds. At eleven. Don’t be late,” he jokes. He heads in the direction of the locker room while I go to my car. I’ve got about an hour before I’ve got to be there, which is more than enough time.
As I climb into the driver’s seat, I smile. I was putting on a bit of a face earlier. For the first time in years, I’m actually looking forward to one of these events. All because I think Tammy might be there. I’m pretty sure she hasn’t come to one in the past couple of years, but I’m thinking that given recent events, she may have changed her mind about attending this one. Her parents are always at company parties, and while I do like George and Margie, today, I’m really more interested in whether or not their daughter will be tagging along with them.
We’ll just have to wait and see, I guess.
I’m in and out of my apartment in no time, making my way to the barbecue. I really have nothing to do with these events except sign the checks and attend. Every year, though, Robert makes them more and more elaborate. I know this because I have attended every single one of these events, and the checks increase without fail annually. It’s always fun explaining to our accountant the justification behind the charges. I just hope we never find ourselves in a serious audit. It’s one thing talking to an accountant we hired about a weird bill; it’s another situation entirely when the conversation is with the IRS.
I honestly wonder how Robert has time to come up with all of these novel ideas sometimes. His work ethic never ceases to amaze me.
I pull into the campground parking lot and find that everything is already set up. And it’s a lot of stuff. There are tents full of all kinds of activities, a pool with waterslides, a greenhouse (which came with the campground), a bouncy castle, and a carousel. Just mountains of entertainment and fun.
And to top it all off, Robert has ordered so much barbecue, I suspect we might be able to feed a small town with this amount of meat.
“Jesus Christ, Robert,” I mumble to myself. I get out of my car and head onto the lawn.
“Brick!” I turn at the sound of my own name and see Robert waving at me. We walk toward each other, him sporting a huge smile. “So, what do you think?”
“I think you somehow manage to outdo yourself every year.” He pats me on the back, looking over the massive event that he has created.
“I really do, don’t I,” Robert sighs. There’s a minute of contemplation before he takes a deep breath. “Well, I’ve got a few things to take care of, just some last-minute double-checks. You go enjoy yourself. Eat some barbecue, talk to people, ride on the carousel even. Just don't be boring. I mean it. Have fun today, Brick.” He says this in a slightly menacing tone before leaving me by myself.
I’ll do my best.
Usually, that is more of a half-hearted reply, but today, I actually have plans to deliver on my promise.
But that all relies on Tammy attending today's barbecue. If she's here, I'm pretty sure I'll have a fucking ball.
People start arriving, and it doesn’t take long for my employees to come up to me. I keep my cool because I’m not about to get mad at them for just being nice to me, even if I do find the constant ass-kissing annoying.
I’m listening to someone tell me what a great decision I made with my latest choices for our company when I see the Thompsons walk in. I feel the corners of my mouth turn up when I see that Tammy has indeed come with her parents.
Looks like she might not have been able to stay away.
“Um, I’ll talk to you later, Jeremiah. Thanks for the compliments. Always appreciate them.” I walk away, leaving him to enjoy all that Robert has provided.
I stop myself before I get too close to Tammy and her family. I'm getting ahead of myself with all of this eagerness.
I’m not going to approach the Thompsons. That would definitely raise suspicions. I’ve already established myself as a certain type of boss, which means treading carefully if I want this thing with Tammy – whatever it is – to manifest.
Instead, I stay where I am, doing my best to look busy. I take out my phone, pretending to read and respond to emails. In reality, I’m watching the Thompsons as stealthily as possible.
George and Margie are looking around while Tammy keeps her head down. I make sure to watch them from the corner of my eye so that I don’t appear to be staring, which is exactly what I am doing.
Not too much later, I see Margie point me out, and the three of them start walking toward me. As they get closer, I’m able to see Tammy’s full outfit. She’s in a simple t-shirt and shorts. It’s casual and laid back, but she’s gorgeous nonetheless. Nothing can hide her curves. I don't know why she would want to anyway.
I just need to remember to keep all of these desires under wraps. There’s no need for her parents to know what I hope the two of us will be doing. We’re two adults, so we can keep it between the two of us. That's the best course of action for everyone involved.
“Brick! How are you?”
“I’m doing well, George.”
“I just wanted to come over and say hi with my family. I think you remember my wife, Margie, and my daughter, Tammy.”
“I do, I do,” I nod. I definitely remember Tammy. I don’t think I’ll ever forget her. In my old age, when my memories are slipping, her trembling body will be one of the last memories I’ll cling to.
“Tammy here almost didn’t come, but the offer o
f free barbecue was enough to entice her.”
“Dad!” Tammy scolds, quickly looking at him before her gaze returns to the ground. George just chuckles, not really addressing the admonishment.
“It’s a lovely day, and I’m so glad you guys hold events like this,” Margie adds. “It's such a nice way to say hi to everyone.”
“You’ll have to thank Robert for all of this. He’s the one in charge of getting it together. I just make sure all of the checks get signed,” I shrug.
“Still, thank you for signing those checks,” Margie smiles. The two of them, George and Margie, are a sweet couple. I don’t have too many problems with George in terms of his personality. He just isn’t the most productive employee. But he’s been with us for so long, I oftentimes find myself conflicted about what to do with him. When someone has been with you since the beginning, it's harder to let them go.
But sentimentality will get you almost nowhere in this business.
“Of course. Employee morale is essential to having a good, working business, and I like to take care of my own.”
“I couldn't agree more,” George nods. I glance over at Tammy, who isn’t saying much of anything. She hasn’t said anything to me directly, but from the flush on her cheeks, I can tell that she’s listening to our conversation. Maybe it’s time to pull her in.
“So, what is Tammy doing? It’s been a while since I’ve seen her at one of these events, hasn’t it?”
“It must have been…” her mom starts. “Tammy, baby, when was the last time you came to a barbecue?” Margie asks, tapping her daughter on the shoulder. Tammy looks at her mom, her eyes wide.
“I don’t know. Maybe three, four years.”
“Well, what have you been doing since then? What’s going on in your life?” I ask her directly. She looks at me, our eyes landing on one another. There are a few seconds where it’s just the two of us before she drops her gaze back to the ground.
“I work in a flower shop,” she mumbles, almost all of the color leaving her face.
“Oh my goodness!” her mom clasps her hands together, laughing a bit. “Tammy is being modest. She is so talented with her flower arrangements. I used to think that type of work was not serious. You know, just put colors that look decent together with one another. But Tammy showed me there is so much more to it. She’s actually trying out for that new reality show, Fantastic Florists.”
“Oh, yes,” her dad adds. “I offered to help her with the audition tape since I’m an industry man myself, but Tammy straight up refused. Said she wanted to do this by herself. Told me it was a matter of pride.”
“She’s such a self-starter. Always going after what she wants,” Margie continues. “Have you heard of Fantastic Florists?”
“No, I have not,” I chuckle, telling a little white lie. After Tammy told me about the audition, I conducted a quick internet search to give myself a rundown of what the whole show was. It looked interesting enough, but I’d never thought critically about flower arrangements before. Like Margie, the floral industry never really seemed like something that I needed to think about.
But Tammy definitely has me thinking about it now. She has me thinking about quite a few things in fact.
“You know,” I say, “there’s actually a very beautiful greenhouse on the campground. We didn’t ask the grounds to open it up for us, but considering Tammy’s interest in horticulture, would that be something you’d like for me to arrange?” The gears are already turning in my head. I had already started forming a plan before I came here regarding how to use that tape of Tammy, but now my plan is finally becoming a lot more concrete.
Margie gasps, her smile growing even bigger. “Oh my goodness, yes! That would be absolutely perfect! Tammy loves places like that. I know she would love to see the greenhouse here! Right, honey? You’d like that.” Margie turns to her daughter. Tammy's hands close into two fists. Tension is clear throughout her entire body.
After some prodding, Tammy nods, her mouth tight.
“Come on, Tammy. You have to thank Brick,” George adds.
“Thank you,” she mumbles.
“It’s no problem. I’ll just ask one of the employees if they can bring a key around. It'll be super easy to arrange.”
“Really, thank you for this opportunity. This is so perfect. You have no idea how nice of you this is.” Margie is gushing like I just offered not only to walk them all up to the pearly gates, but got the family a way inside.
“It’s really not a big deal.” And I mean it. I'm doing this for mostly selfish reasons, so the thanks feels excessive. “When it’s all squared away, someone will come get you. Enjoy the day until then.” I look over at Tammy, who gives me another glance. I’m sure she’s said less than a dozen words throughout this entire exchange, but she has to feel the same charge in the air that I do. It is literally electric.
All of this sexual energy cannot be one-sided.
I say goodbye and leave the Thompsons to talk among themselves. Right now, I’ve got to find someone to open up the greenhouse for me. Problem is, I don’t really know a lot about these campgrounds. When I say I only sign the checks, that is not an understatement. My hands are not on the setup for these events at all.
Meaning I have no knowledge of the inner workings of this event or this place. Which means I need to find Robert and ask for his assistance.
There’s a lot of ground to cover in a short amount of time, and I do not have the patience to run around this place.
“I’m just going to call him,” I mutter, pulling out my phone and dialing his number.
“Brick? Is everything okay?”
“Where are the people who work here? I need to talk to an employee.”
“Is everything okay?”
“Yes! I’m fine. I just need a key to something, but I don’t know how to find these people. I thought you might. Do you?”
“Yeah, yeah,” he chuckles. “I’ll send them your way. Where are you?”
“I’m by the bouncy castle. About ten feet away from it.”
“There should be someone coming to you in ten minutes. Just don’t be grumpy, okay? These are nice people, and I know how you act after being at these things for an hour.”
“Yeah, whatever, thank you.”
Robert laughs while hanging up. I decide to go through my emails, knowing that will help me pass the time. My inbox is consistently full, so I always know I’ll have something to read. It’s more of the same – financials, potentials pitches, and interesting applicants. The work never stops rolling in.
I’m in the middle of reading the projected finance report for a film we’re thinking of producing when I see someone approach me.
“Mr. Barrister?”
“Yes.” A frightened-looking teenage girl comes up to me. Maybe Robert is right, and I am grumpy. I’d rather not be the reason kids are scared.
“Mr. Maple told me you needed help with something.”
“Right, yes. Sorry about being,” I take a pause, “grumpy.” She smiles slightly, which makes me feel better.
“Don’t worry about it. You’re really not that bad.”
“Thank you.”
“Um, so did you want me to open up something? Mr. Maple mentioned a key.”
“I actually need you to do a little something for me.” I point toward Tammy. “Do you see that woman over there? In the white tee and jean shorts?”
“Yes, I see her,” the girl nods.
“What is your name?” I ask, feeling bad for that not being the first question I asked. I’m usually a lot better at treating people who work for me with a certain level of respect and politeness. But being near Tammy has my head spinning.
“Tiffany. My name is Tiffany.”
“Okay, Tiffany. That woman over there – her name is Tammy Thompson. She’s really into flowers and plants, and I thought it would be nice if someone could unlock the greenhouse door for her. You don’t have to be a tour guide or anything. Just let her wander arou
nd by herself.” Tiffany looks at Tammy for a few seconds before her eyes come back to mine.
“Is she your girlfriend or something?”
“No,” I shake my head.
“Do you want her to be?”
“I –” I didn’t expect Tiffany to be full of so many questions.
“Sorry, I shouldn’t be so nosy. My mom says it’s going to get me in trouble one of these days. I’ll go talk to her for you.” She starts to walk away, but I don’t want her feeling bad about being curious.
“Tiffany.” She stops walking and looks back at me. “Don’t worry about the questions. Tammy and I just recently got reacquainted. I guess you could say everything is very new, so I’m still figuring it out.”
“Okay,” Tiffany smiles. “I’ll make sure she makes it to the greenhouse.” She heads toward Tammy with a bit of a pep in her step. I wonder if I now have some random teenage girl in my corner. I could use all of the support I can muster, I guess. It’s going to take some convincing to get Tammy to come around to my way of thinking. But I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve. I like to think I can be pretty persuasive when I need to be.
I meander in the opposite direction, getting myself into place. The chips are finally starting to fall into place.
6
Tammy
My parents walked away to go say hi to some of my dad’s coworkers. Thank God. I’m not sure how much longer I could have held out. I’m getting to the end of my rope, and I’m over here just hanging by a thread.
When I came to these events as a kid, I would always just do my own thing. Some of the other employees have children my age, but I never really connected with any of them. It’s not like they were mean to me; we were all just on different pages.
Not much has changed in my older age. The biggest difference is that a lot of those kids – who are now grownups – aren’t here. They’re probably all out in the world being way more successful than me.