The Forest for the Trees

[aweekendworrier]

Part 1.5 “Heated”

Jack walked into the small office that he shared with his business partner, Ian. Ian had called Jack in for an evening meeting. This office was their entire business, their entire livelihood. It was small, consisting of two offices and a small desk. They rented this space for way more money than it was worth, but it provided them with easy access to all of their clients.

“What is it that you wanted to talk about, Ian?” Jack asked as he sat down.

“Well, as you know, we haven’t been profiting for a while now, and we’ve barely been able to make the payments for the loan we took out. And our money is getting tighter and tighter.”

Jack rolled his eyes. “We just need to finish up some of these projects and we’ll be good to go.”

Ian was such a worrier. Jack did the majority of the consulting itself. He was the major money earner. Ian just did the behind-the-scenes work, mostly managing the small business itself. Sometimes Jack wondered if Ian was really necessary or if he could do all of this himself.

“Jack, stop. We’d need to finish all of our projects by the end of the week just to break even this month. Plus we need to gain new clients that are consistent and willing to pay a higher rate or we are going to go under really fast.”

Ian drummed his fingers against the table.

“I’m going to talk to Taryn Rubio, the accountant, this week. Maybe see if she can provide any suggestions about managing our finances better.”

“Ian, don’t do that. That’s not necessary!” Jack responded. He didn’t want anybody else looking at their books.

Ian shrugged, unphased by Jack’s outburst. “I’m going to do it, and you can’t stop me. This is my business too.”

[aweekendworrier]

Part 1.4 “New Friends”

As Taryn walked through the crowd towards the bar, she saw him. His name was Eric, and they had met on a dating app. He had just texted her, saying he would be sitting at the bar. She watched him sit. He looked exactly as she expected, and that was comforting to her.

She sat next to him. “Hey, Eric?” she asked, her voice raising at the end as if asking a question, although she had no question. She knew it was him. She felt her heart rise in her chest as he smiled at her.

“Hey, Taryn, it’s so good to finally meet you.”

“You too,” she responded. He was even more attractive in person. As soon as she saw his face, she knew that she was going to like him.

[aweekendworrier]

1.3 “Pent-Up“

Autumn was grateful that Poppy had invited her to work out. The nearby gym had punching bags, something that Autumn hadn’t used in a while. She used to kickbox all the time, taking classes, occasionally sparing. It felt good to let her emotions go into the bag rather than stay inside, itching at her to get out.

She thought about what had brought her here. She was running--from her home, from her friends and family, from him--and she couldn’t deny the anxiety and sadness and anger that were building up inside.

She sighed. She wanted to get away from all of that, but she knew the only way she could really get away from her past was if she addressed it. Internally and externally.

She felt the fatigue in her arms and core. The muscles would be sore tomorrow.

Autumn vowed to herself not to let any of this hold her back. She wanted to live her life without any regret or any restraint.

A few feet away, Poppy watched Autumn punch aggressively. Poppy admired the passion with which Autumn pounded away at the bag, but she also wondered why Autumn was here.

Poppy was glad--she loved Autumn, one of her best and longest friends, but she also wondered what was eating away at Autumn. Poppy knew there was something she was running from.

Poppy knew that Autumn had left behind a boyfriend and a successful career as a journalist for a local paper. But Autumn didn’t mention either of those yet. Poppy wasn’t even sure of the boyfriend’s name. Maybe something bad had happened.

Poppy knew that her old friend would need time before she was able to explain what was happening to her. Poppy knew she would have to be there for Autumn no matter what.

[aweekendworrier]

Part 1.2 “Unrequited”

“Hey Ian, it’s so good to see you!” Poppy stated, sitting down at the table across from her closest friend in town.

“Hi, how’ve you been?” Ian asked. He looked good, wearing a nice button-up shirt, new glasses, and a fresh beard.

“What made you decide to grow the beard out?” Poppy asked. She had always found him attractive, but she had never been confident enough to see if he felt the same way.

“Thanks, haha. I just decided to see what it would look like,” he admitted boyishly.

“But anyway, how are things going with you? What’s new?” he continued, changing the conversation. He was slightly embarrassed whenever anybody commented on his looks.

“Well, my oldest friend, Autumn, moved in with me. She’s gonna stay here a while and look for a job. And Taryn is living her life, dating constantly.”

“A new guy every day?” Ian suggested, to which Poppy smiled and shrugged sheepishly. “I’m actually trying to meet with Taryn to have her look over our finances. We’re not doing so hot.”

He was referring to the business he owned with best friend, Jack. Poppy wasn’t super technically-savvy, but she knew it had something to do with IT consulting.

“Is Jack being a jackass?” she asked, only somewhat joking.

“When isn’t he a jackass?” Ian replied, not joking at all. But he was good-natured, Jack was just somewhat difficult to deal with. Passionate about the job.

“Oh, I wanted to tell you, I lost five pounds!” Poppy exclaimed.

“That’s amazing! You do look great!” Ian responded enthusiastically. Poppy’s heart flipped at the compliment, but she also noted how he didn’t seem to check her out at all. His compliment didn’t seem to hold any suggestion of an attraction.

“Thanks! I’m really trying to eat better and work out all the time. I’m actually working out with Autumn after this.”

They were referring to Poppy’s consistent battle with weight-loss. She had always been self-conscious about her weight, especially when surrounded by naturally slim friends like Taryn and Autumn.

“That’s great, just don’t overdo it. Always take care of herself.” Ian sounded like a big brother. Maybe that’s all she was to him. A sibling to be taken care of.

“I will,” Poppy replied, trying to hide the annoyance.

If Ian could sense any tension, he didn’t reveal it. Ian likely just viewed their friendship platonically. This was something that Poppy had to accept. Maybe they wouldn’t have been great together anyways.