My work phones buzzing.
The sheep are busy today.
Ignore.
I walk down the winding staircase, suffering through peeled wallpaper and windows patched up with cardboard.
Would it kill them to hang some art?
It’s a long hallway to the visitors door on the first floor, and I can see Lucky just staring at me through the opening.
Act like you’re on the phone or something you country bumpkin.
“Cuz! Welcome!” I shout, opening the door with a big smile, like it’s a big party and I’m really happy to be there.
College was invaluable.
He’s got on baggy jeans and theres a hole in his jacket; he wears shorts with mismatched socks and sandals.
He never was one for style.
And cancer probably’s not helping.
“Hey! Sorry to bother you. I tried to call, is there something wrong with your phone?”
“Nope.”
I grab one of his bags and we make our way upstairs.
My personal phone rings, it’s Marcus… must be bad at work.
“Saera, where the fuck is the report. We’re landing in two hours and Sam said she left everything with you.”
It was always an emergency with this prick.
“Morning to you too Marcus! How the hell are ya”
He groans.
“Not today Saera, our jobs are riding on this report. Sam said you got this but I’m not so sure.”
Sam gets to stop working for three months cause she likes having unprotected sex.
“I do got it Marcus, I got us the last deal didn’t I?”
“It was a team effort Saera.”
Team effort my ass.
I didn’t even get a bonus.
I’m on the phone as we walk into my unit.
BEEEEEP.
“What the fuck Saera, how is that still going on. I swear to God I don’t know how you…”
“I’ll have it by the time you land, bye bye now.”
I hang up on him before he can rope me into one of his “lectures”.
I look back to see Lucky’s horrified face, priceless.
“Things sure do big city huh”
I usually catch 20% of what he says to me.
Never mind that, I’ve got a report to finish.
Short Story