Chapter 9- Ballroom Blitz
The next day at work was a complete nightmare. Two servers called out sick, leaving the rest of us to manage the busy lunch hour. I ran around like a maniac while balancing trays of drinks in one hand and scalding hot plates in the other, all while dealing with cranky customers.
Relief settled in when my shift was finally over, until I was called in to Mrs. Caulfield's office.
“Have a seat Ms. St. James."
I hesitated for a second before taking a seat in the abnormally large chair across from her. She sat at her desk typing silently while I nervously twiddled my thumbs.
“Is this about the other day with Dorothy Winchester?" I finally asked when the silence grew to be too much.
“What happened with Ms. Winchester?" she eyed me suspiciously.
“Nothing." I quickly recovered.
“Alright. Well I'm sure you're wondering why I brought you here today. I called you in here to speak about your performance. I spoke with Ms. Cho earlier in the week and she says you have been excelling at work. She says you show up on time and have a positive attitude. The new hire, a Mr... " she searched her paperwork. "Max Walters, is doing a fine job and says he owes it all to you.”
My jaw dropped. “He said that?"
“Indeed and from what I’ve observed, I must say that I agree with them. Tell me, Ms. St. James, what do you know about our upcoming gala?"
“I know that this years gala is celebrating the yacht clubs centennial."
“That is correct. This will be bigger than any function we have thrown in the past and I want you in charge of it."
“You what?!"
"I'm placing you in charge of the entire thing. The food, the decor, the entertainment, all yours."
“Wow. Mrs. Caulfield I don’t know what to say. Thank you. I’m honored, but are you sure about this? I've never planned an event before."
“Well after this you wont be able to say that anymore. You're a hard worker and I have a lot of confidence in you." Her face beamed at me proudly.
I gave a shaky smile as i shook her extended hand.
“I won’t let you down."
“No. You wont. Good luck Ms. St. James. I am looking forward to see what you come up with.”
I exhaled deeply as I exited the room, only then realizing that I was holding breath the whole time.
I walked back to the break room slowly after meeting with Mrs. C to process what just happened. How did someone like me earn the roll of event planner? Mrs. C ignored me for the most part and I preferred to be under the radar but somewhere this year she started noticing me in a big way.
“Who died?” a voice from behind inquired. Broken from my reverie, I looked up to see Max changing out of his uniform. A bit of his chest peeked out from the top of his button up shirt and I shifted my eyes so he wouldn’t catch me staring.
“Are you ok?” he came approached me with concern.
“Yeah, I’m sorry. I guess I’m a little distracted.”
“That’s an understatement. Cynthia said Mrs. C wanted to see you. I take that it didn't go well.”
“No it was fine. Better than fine actually.”
“Want to talk about it?”
“I’m not sure. I’m still processing.”
Max slammed his locker closed and finished buttoning his shirt. “Let take a walk and you can tell me everything.”
“I have to walk to pick up my sister soon.”
“Ok then I’ll go with you. Don’t make me beg.” He pouted his bottom lip and gave me the saddest puppy dog eyes I’d ever seen.
“Fine.” I gave in. “Let’s walk.”
We walked through the golf course in silence. I was comfortable around Max which made the silence surprisingly not awkward and that, of course, worried me. Occasionally, he would pass someone he knew and greet them but I knew he was waiting patiently for me to say something.
When we reached the beach, he took off his shoes and motioned me to do the same.
“You don't say much, do you?” his question wasn’t judgmental like others who have asked variations of his question. He was just trying to figure me out.
“There isn't much to say.”
“I don't believe that for a second. Let’s play a game. You ask me a question and I’ll answer honestly and then I’ll ask you a question and you do the same.”
“That doesn't sound like much of a game.”
He shrugged. “Humor me. I’ll go first. What happened in Caufiled’s office?”
I paused mid step and dug my heel in to the wet sand. “She put me in charge of the gala.”
“Gala? Oh the party she keeps talking about? That’s amazing! Congratulations.”
“Thanks.” I said without any enthusiasm and continued walking.
“Didn't you say this was a good thing?”
“Yes.”
“Then why do you seem upset about it?”
I pretended not to hear his question but max grabbed my wrist and faced me towards him. I flinched and he let go.
“I don't want to push you Layla. I want to get to know you and become your friend.”
“It isn’t easy me to open up to people.” I admitted.
“I get it. Why don't you ask me a question?”
“Ok.” I thought for a second. “Where did you grow up?”
“That’s an easy one. I was born and raised in Massachusetts.”
“And your parents?”
“Regular blue collar workers, married for 25 years.”
“What about your relationship with Jesse and Leo? How’d you end up here?”
“I’ve been best friends with Leo since we were five. My dad and Leo’s dad were college roommates. Jesse moved in with Leo our freshman year of high school, and as to how we got here, well, thats not my story to tell.”
His face fell and I didn't press for more information. I, more than anyone, could recognize when someone didn't want to discuss a sensitive subject any further. I let his last words linger in the air before I spoke again.
“I’m afraid.” Max looked at me perplexed. “I’m afraid of messing everything up. I’m afraid of disappointing people and I’m afraid of failing.”
My shoulders sank from the weight of my confession.
“I understand how you feel.”
“You do?”
“I know what its like to have huge responsibilities thrusted on you but I want you to know,” his eyes met mine with intensity, “that I am here for you. We may not have known each other for long but I want to be your friend. You can trust me.”
Famous last words. “I don't trust anyone.”
“Well, I’ll just have to prove myself to you. So will you let me help you?” I mulled over his question. What I saw in Max’s face was sincerity, the person in front of me seemed solid and stable and for the first time in years, I let someone in.
“Yes Max. I accept your offer to help. But I’m the boss.”
He gave me his signature boyish smile. “Good. So my turn for the questions. What about your family?” you mentioned a sister.”
“Crap! What time is it?” I grabbed his wrist to check his watch. “We have to go! I need to pick up my sister!”
“You’ll be too late if you walk. Let me drive you.”
With my hand still on his wrist, I grabbed hold as we ran to his car.
The car was left idling as I jumped out and ran towards Mrs. Rosenberg’s door. She was the mother of Desi’s friend Sophia who was friendly for the most part but could be harsh when it came to my mother. She opened the door with a scowl on her face.
“I am so sorry I’m late!” I panted. “There was a meeting at work and—“
“Layla,” she interrupted, hand in the air. “ This kind of behavior, I expect from your mother but not you. I love Desiree and so does Sophia, but if you can’t be on time, then this arrangement won’t work.”
“I completely agree with you. Thank you for watching Desi. I promise it won’t happen again.”
She nodded but I could tell she didn't believe me. She called for Desi who ran down the stairs and hugged me fiercely. We both thanked the Rosenberg’s and made our way back to the car.
Max was outside of it when we approached.
“I didn't know how long it would be, so I stopped the car. Everything ok?”
“Everything's fine.”
Desi stared at Max with curiosity. “Who are you?”
“Desi! Don't be rude.”
“I’m Max.” He answered unfazed. “You must be the famous Desi.”
“I’m famous?”
“Oh yeah. Your sister talks about you all of the time.”
“You do?” she asked me.
“I may have mentioned you once or twice. Thank you so much for driving me here. We can walk the rest of the way. It’s only a few blocks from here.”
“No problem. I’ll walk you to your house.”
I was about to protest when Desi's face lit up and she pulled Max to walk beside her. I could see her forming a new crush on him.
“Where do you live Max?”
“I’m living part time at a friends house and part time at the yacht club.”
“You have a boat?”
“My friend does.”
“Is it a big boat?”
“Sure is. I’ll have to take you sailing one day.”
“You know how to sail?” She grew wide eyed and her voice was full of awe. I knew exactly what she was thinking. This was her prince charming fantasy come to life.
“Did you hear that Aya? I’m going sailing!”
“Not till you finish your homework.” I joked.
She continued to talk to Max as we walked home. He laughed at all of her adventure stories and told some of his. The whole scene was utterly adorable.
When we arrived, Desi became sad. “I’m sorry we cant invite you inside Max, our mom is sick.”
He turned to me but I refused to meet his eyes.
“That’s ok Desi. Thanks for hanging out with me.”
“Anytime. Oh, and remember to listen to The Libertines.”
“I won’t.” She gave him a high five and stepped inside.
“You're great with kids.” I admired.
“She's awesome.”
“She really is.”
“Were you like her at that age?”
“Oh I was much worse.”
He smiled at that but sadness immediately followed. I knew what he was thinking. It was what everyone who knew me back then thought. I had lost myself.
“Thank you for today. For offering to help and for listening.” For some reason I grew shy.
“I meant what I said Layla. I will do everything to earn your trust.”
He waved goodbye and started walking on the opposite direction.
“Hey Walters!” I called out. “8am tomorrow. We got a lot of work to do.”
“Aye aye cap’n!” He saluted me and disappeared around the corner.
“Who’s the boy?” My mother asked from the couch looking out through the blinds, startling me. “Desi came in talking about a boy named Max so I had to see for myself. He’s cute.”
“Is he? I hadn’t noticed.” I lied and walked to the kitchen. “What is that?” I pointed to the stove.
“It’s our new and improved, fully functional oven. Do you like it?”
“You actually got it fixed?”
“I said I would.”
“Well, you say a lot of things that don’t turn out.” I murmured not so quietly but she chose to ignore it and changed the subject.
“I got an interesting phone call from your boss today. She called and mentioned an upcoming gala. She went on about how important and special the 100th anniversary is and that she said she put you in charge of running it.” My hairs stood on end. It hadn't even occurred to me that Mrs. C would involve my mom in any of this.
“She asked me if I thought you were ready for the responsibility.”
“And you told her I wasn’t right?” I was beginning to get riled up.
“No. I actually said you were the best person for the job and that she made the right choice in choosing you.”
My eyes widened. That was the first time, in a long time, that she said anything positive to me.
“Layla, I want to be honest with you. I know I've been a terrible mother.” I rolled my eyes. “I want to make it up to you and Desi somehow so… I started seeing a therapist.”
My ears perked up. “Seriously?”
“Mm hmm. After our last fight, and Mrs. Hawkins threat, I needed some perspective. Your perspective specifically. So from now on I’m going to try harder. I want to be here for you and Des and I was hoping I could start by dropping off and picking up Desi from school.”
“No! Absolutely not.” I objected.
“Give me a chance. Please.”
“I don't trust you.”
“You have every right not to but I need to change, no, I want to change. You’re going to be very busy these next few weeks with planning and I want to help by giving you one less thing to worry about.”
I thought for a moment. Mostly I tried to talk myself out of saying yes because the thought of leaving Desi in the hands of my mother made me uneasy but she had valid points. The event planning would take up what little free time I already had and if she was going to change, we needed to start somewhere.
“Fine. The gala is in two weeks. You have two weeks to prove that I can start to trust you.”
“Fair enough. You wont be sorry Layla.” I didn’t have the heart to tell her that I probably would be.