After an early morning workout, Olivia called to let her boss know that she wouldn’t be making it in. In nine months, it was her first requested day off and her boss didn’t make it easy for her. He reminded her of all the deadlines that needed to be met before the month’s end and after guaranteeing that nothing would fall through the cracks or slip through her fingers, he finally digressed and allowed her a day of peace. Olivia headed straight to the spa and prayed the deep tissue massage would bring her some relief.
Olivia hadn’t even considered checking her messages until after she had received a massage that seemed to fall from the heavens. The only one received was from Ashley: You’re not in the office today… where are you?
“Sorry, I meant to tell you… I’m taking a mental health day.”
“Are you sick???? You never miss work. I texted you hours ago.”
“No, not sick.. I just wasn’t in the mod to be in the office today. I needed some time to myself. Think, process.. you know.”
“Think and process? What’s wrong? What I do??”
“Nothing, I am fine. I just need some time to myself.”
“Well, I would have liked to know that you aren’t in the office today. I shouldn’t have needed to find out by calling there and not reaching you.”
There was a sudden and abrupt tapping on Olivia’s car window that made her nearly jump out of her skin- it was Michelle. After rolling her eyes obvious enough for Michelle to witness, Olivia lowered the window. “So you wasn’t going to speak?” was the way Michelle started.
“Hi Michelle” she stated dryly. “Are you satisfied?”
Michelle and Olivia sat in a moment of awkward silence. Olivia had seen her inside and Michelle knew it, but being in her ex’s presence always made her uncomfortable. They had unfinished business between them and despite their respectful nature of never acting on it, there was always sexual tension and emotional chemistry. “Are we done here?” Olivia asked breaking the silence.
Michelle couldn’t help but to chuckle to herself recognizing that Olivia was still uncomfortable around her. “You and that girl still together?”
Olivia looked in her eyes and then away. “You know good and well you don’t care about whether we are together or not – you also know her name is Ashley.”
Michelle chuckled louder this time. “I don’t see why we can’t hang out. I mean, we friends, right? Ya girl would understand that. When she coming back up this side anyway?”
Olivia and Ashley had many a conversation about exes and where to draw the lines. Hanging out casually wasn’t a part of the agreement in any sense.. and truthfully, Olivia wasn’t completely certain she could trust herself alone with Michelle. “Yeah, she understands our being acquaintances, but you and I don’t have anything to discuss. So, what is the point? When she will be here is none of your business, I might add.”
Shot in the ego, Michelle decided to concede this time and shook her head. “Catch you around, Olivia.”
Without allowing anymore discussion, Olivia was backing out of her parking space. Wish a simple wave, she pulled off and left Michelle standing at the curb.
