Page 115 of A Lot Like Adiós
When she returned to her desk, she opened up the back end of her own website. On a whim, she changed the copy on the “Services” page, expanding it to include branding and marketing packages, and raising the prices. Then she registered a new domain name and an LLC, rewrote her bio, redesigned the website layout, and sketched out a new logo.
By the end of the day, Jezebel Creative Solutions was live.
Michelle glanced at the time. Shit, she had to get moving. But there was one more thing to do.
She drafted a quick email to all of her clients, notifying them that she was getting back into the marketing and branding game, and linking the new “Services” page. And she offered a 15 percent discount for those who contracted with her in the first month.
After she sent the email, she sat back in her chair and just stared at the screen.
She’d done it. After almost two years in limbo as a freelancer, she’d taken the step to officially start her own business and get back to the work she loved doing.
And it was all thanks to Gabe.
Beyond spending time with him, she’d enjoyed the work. It had made her feel more like herself than she had in a long time, and not just because Gabe was there, reminding her of who she used to be. It was something clients like Jamilette had begged her to do, but she’d resisted, packing that part of herself away because it had reminded her of Nathaniel’s betrayal and brought up the fear of burning out again.
But who was she really punishing here? Not Nathaniel, who probably never spared her a second thought.
Not her old bosses, who didn’t give a shit if she had good work-life balance or not.
Only herself.
And wasn’t it time she stopped doing that?
Jezebel Creative Solutions was the first step. The next step was right behind a door at the end of her hall.
It was also time she stopped sleeping on the sofa.
Yes, the bedroom reminded her of Gabe. Yes, it hurt that he’d left. Yes, she’d asked him to stay, and he hadn’t.
But at least this time, she’d asked for what she wanted. She hadn’t let anger get the better of her, making her say things she later regretted. As much as it pained her to think of him, she didn’t regret opening up. Those days with him had been the most emotionally satisfying of her life. She’d allowed herself to be vulnerable. To be seen. To ask for what she wanted. How many people never felt that in their whole lives?
She’d once been one of those people. And now that she’d felt it, she’d always know.
She deserved better. And she would survive, no matter what.
After a quick shower, Michelle did a light cleaning pass over the apartment before Ava arrived, so it didn’t look like the home of someone in the throes of heartbreak.
When Michelle had canceled on family dinner with her parents, her mom had texted Ava, pinging her Primas of Power radar. Like the Capricorn she was, Ava had sent a firmI’m coming over and making you dinnertext. Jasmine was in Los Angelesdoing a press junket, or else she’d be showing up at Michelle’s door tonight too.
When Ava arrived, Michelle had spread out light appetizers and wine on the coffee table, and put all her bedding from the sofa back in the closet. No one needed to know about that part.
They sat on the sofa with Jezebel between them, and Michelle showed her cousin the new website.
“This is amazing, Mich,” Ava exclaimed. “You did all this today?”
Michelle nodded. “Getting that email from Rocky lit a fire under me. This is really what I’ve wanted to do all this time.”
She’d just been scared to take the leap. For all this time, she’d been doing something she wasgoodat, instead of what she wasgreatat.
Ava clicked the “About” page and even though Michelle had written it, she read her new bio over Ava’s shoulder.
Located in the backyard of New York City’s Theater District, Jezebel Creative Solutions brings drama, excitement, and flare to our clients’ strategies and visuals. Founded by Michelle Amato, an award-winning marketing and branding consultant, we offer out-of-the-box campaign solutions to corporate clients and small businesses alike, to help you turn ideas into reality and dreams into success.
After Ava finished reading, she passed the laptop back to Michelle and reached for her shoulder bag.
“I think it’s the right time to give you this,” Ava said, pulling out a cardboard tube.
Michelle took the tube and examined the label. “This is the collage. I told you to throw it out.”
