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“Well, Nikki, thanks for the tips. I need to go grab that coffee before my lunch is over. Have a great day.”
I had already turned on my heel when I heard, “See ya around,” from behind me. Grinning at myself, I thought, “still got it.” When I made it down the hall, I saw the cart with only a few people waiting, so I got in line. Note to self, bring a coffee tumbler from home to avoid this situation.
It was almost my turn when I heard multiple feet shuffling around the corner, so I looked in that direction. There she was, striding with her head high, wearing a pleasant but serious grin, grasping a tablet, and keeping stride with the group. Her eyes locked with mine, and for a split second, her grin tightened. Her eyebrows raised just a bit, but quickly went relaxed again and she recovered the grin. She gave a sharp nod, and I watched as the group walked away.
“Sir, how can I help you?”
I whipped back to the employee at the cart. “My apologies. Tired, hence the coffee. Just a regular please. Black.”
The employee smiled and moved quickly to fill my order. I pressed my card to the pad to pay, then grabbed a dollar from my wallet and stuffed it into the tip jar. She thanked me and I gave her a wink. Her cheeks flushed as I walked away.
I had a little pep in my step as I walked back to the HR area but then Jaz’s face flashed in my mind. My emotions were perplexed. I was so proud to see her living out her dream, but it pulled at my heart that I missed the journey to get here. I had always imagined we would do everything together. Even when I went off to school, I just assumed I’d be gone a couple years, visit any chance I could, then come home and support her while she continued school. But once she cut me out so abruptly, I was scared to come back.
Being away from her also meant I was away from Jason. He had been my best friend since we were kids. But after missing Pops’ funeral because of football and not being around to help him pick up the pieces after that girl broke his heart, I felt like a shitty friend. He was going through a lot, so for a while, we didn’t keep in touch as much. Between the guilt I had over him and being scared to come back and face Jaz, staying in Cali seemed so easy. Now I felt shitty that I let my fear control me and keep me away. Maybe things wouldn’t be this way if I had come back.
What would it be like if I hadn’t left at all?
The last few days had me questioning so much, including whether it was a mistake to return. When I walked back into HR, Clarita looked up and her bottom lip poked out.
“Hey, Mike. You alright?”
Geez this woman was hot and cold. I forced a smile. “Yeah, just a lot to take in on your first day.”
I started to walk back to the desk I was stationed at, and she spoke up. “Hey, sorry about earlier. My kid wasn’t well over the weekend and I’m exhausted. I shouldn't have been so short.”
I turned back, my smile more genuine this time. “Hey, no need to apologize. Sorry your kid isn’t well.” With a nod, I turned and went to finish up my computer orientation.
After several more hours, a snack, and one bathroom break that I used to also stretch myself, I finished the computer portion of orientation. Once I hit submit, I got an email, so I opened the notification.
Congratulations on completing orientation! We are excited to have a valuable new team member on staff! You will receive an email shortly with instructions for your next day. Please keep our information in case you have any questions, concerns, or input in the future. Welcome to our team!
Sincerely,
The Human Resources Team
They’re big on teams. But as a former football player, it actually did speak to me. I cleared my desk and grabbed my things. Once it hit seven, I logged out and went to leave. “Have a great night, Clarita,” I said as I rounded the desk.
“You, too, Mike. Good luck tomorrow! You probably need to be on the third floor at the nurse’s station. You’ll get an email but just a heads up in case you wanted to take a look before you left.” She stood and grabbed her bag, so I held the door open for her and a few others that were leaving. She went to walk away then turned back. “Where were you parked?”
“Oh, in the main parking deck outside the front entrance.”
She chuckled then walked over. “Do you have your map?”
I pulled the map from my pocket and opened it.
She pointed at a totally different entrance. “Staff members usually park over here. Use your badge to get in and out and you won’t have to pay. Plus, it’s a quicker walk to where you need to be.”
“Rookie mistake. Thanks for the tip.”
“You’ll get it down soon. If you keep your parking receipt, you can email it to Dottie, and she’ll comp it on your check.”
I waved her off. “Nah. I’ll consider it an entry fee. Have a great night. And I hope your kid feels better soon.”
Clarita smiled then turned to walk the other way. No wonder I didn’t see Jaz this morning. She probably already knew where to go. After climbing in my car, a text came over.
Jason: Hey man, good first day?
Me: Not bad. Boring, but overall not bad. Thanks for checking in.
