Just Starting Out
1.16 - Hellos and Goodbyes
“Damn it Kayla, why is our house so mediocre looking?” John complained as the two of them cleaned for Cassandra’s arrival.
“You’re right, John, you’re right,” Kayla sighed. “We have money now, we should try to look like it.”
“They always interview authors at their homes in the tv I’ve watched,” John said. “I think we should get ready for that.”
“Sometimes, John. I just think that you’re stressed about your date with Lillian, so you’re a little sensitive to everything right now.”
John laughed. “Yeah! You’re right. I haven’t had a serious relationship since high school, so I don’t know how to do this anymore.”
“You’ll do great, John! Just try to be personable and respectful. That’s all it takes.”
“I’ll try… and where’s Cassandra? She’s running late, not that I’m complaining, but if she takes much longer I won’t even be at home to welcome her.”
“Hey! Hey, John. Calm down. I’m perfectly capable of entertaining guests. Don’t stress yourself out over this. If Lillian gets here before Cassandra? Oh well! Go out, and have a good time. I’m sure Cassandra and I will get on just fine,” Kayla said.
John and Kayla were interrupted by the doorbell. They shared a look, and Kayla gestured for John to go and open it. He sighed, and rolled his eyes, but headed over there anyway. He opened the door, hoping it would be Cassandra, but, much to his surprise, it was Lillian.
“Hi, John!” she squealed.
John waved awkwardly.
“Have fun you two!” Kayla said from the living room.
John shut the door, and he and Lillian headed off to the restaurant they’d decided on while texting late the night before.
Back inside, Kayla put her hands on her hips and surveyed the house. “Well! Guess it’ll just be the two of us then.”
The house was spotless after another half hour of cleaning. From then, Kayla was free to kick back and put her feet up until Cassandra arrived. In her boredom, she flipped on the tv, and flipped through channels until one caught her attention. The image on the screen? Herself, standing in front of the library.
The news castor talked excitedly about how extraordinary Kayla’s writing was so far, and how he looked forward to her future work. He even talked about how her speech was just as life changing as her various writings about turning your life around. Kayla smiled to herself, tears in her eyes.
After five minutes of the news cast, there was a knock on the door. There was Cassandra. Finally.
Kayla switched off the tv, wiped the tears from her eyes, and headed over to the door.
“I’m so sorry I’m late,” Cassandra said. “My parents were having this whole freakout because I wasn’t home yet, and I had to spend way too long on the phone trying to let them know I’d be home as soon as possible. So, I have about an hour. Where’s John?”
“Lillian got here before you did,” Kayla said, smiling awkwardly. “But please, come in!”
“Oh! Alright. I brought Alexander, I hope you don’t mind…”
“I’m sure there’s something on TV for him,” Kayla said, leading the way into the house.
The three of them headed into the living room and Kayla flipped through channels until she found the kid’s channel. Then, she sat down at the back of room, Cassandra following her lead.
“So you still live at home with your parents?” Kayla asked.
Cassandra let out a long sigh. “Yeah… it’s kind of a sore subject, actually, but they don’t want me to move out because they’re so overprotective of me and Alexander and our whole ‘family pride’. They say it’s so I can be a good role model to Alexander, but I’m smart enough to see right through that.”
Kayla shook her head in disbelief. “I can barely imagine. My parents were excited to get John and I out of the house. But… please stop me if you’re uncomfortable, but family pride? Is that really a reason to keep an adult kid at home?”
“I don’t blame them. Our family has a long history, and I’m proud to be a Goth. I’m sure mom and dad want nothing more than to keep Alexander and I on a path that’s going to honor our ancestor’s legacy. But it makes sense that it’s odd to you, my family is far from typical.”
Meanwhile, John and Lillian approached the restaurant they’d talked about last night for the date. It was a cute little diner that had been there since before Newcrest’s founding called Baker and Barkley’s Diner.
“John! This is the cutest place, you were so right when you picked it out!” Lillian cheered.
John held the door open for Lillian, and walked up to the hostess stand and requested a table. They were seated before they knew it.
“I’m glad we’re finally trying this place out, Lillian,” John chuckled.
“Me too! Ugh, John! It’s been too long since we’ve had a nice date like this. I’m just glad you agreed to start talking in the first place… I mean, if you couldn’t tell, I’ve been into you for the longest time, but that was so freaking obvious and I’m sorry you had to deal with that for so long, John,” Lillian said, talking fast.
“It wasn’t really obvious until I went to Willow Creek for work that one time, don’t stress yourself out over that, Lillian.”
“Oh, thank the heavens,” Lillian laughed. “The last thing I want to do is be obnoxious.”
“You cou-“
“Hey John? Would you mind if I popped off to the bathroom really quick before they come ‘round and take our orders? After that walk in the sun, a lady’s gotta freshen up.”
“Sure. Go ahead Lillian.”
Lillian stood up, gave him a little wave, and hurried off to the bathroom.
As John waited for Lillian to get back from the bathroom, he sat there and thought. While he’d been excited for the date the night before, something about the whole situation made him uncomfortable. It wasn’t Malcolm, he’d become so much of a nonentity and John wasn’t about to reach out to him and descend into the terrible place he’d been living in right after all that happened in Oasis Springs. Like he’d allow himself to spend more time freaking out over him to begin with.
And it wasn’t that he didn’t like Lillian, he honestly did. John just felt awful for making plans with Cassandra than leaving her to sit with Kayla, a woman she’d met all of once. Once being her seeing her from a distance at a book signing. When he thought about it, that’s what was keeping John from truly enjoying himself. Because he did like Lillian, she’d been an incredibly reliable coworker and a fun person to be around the couple times they’d gone out on dates before. And she wasn’t bad looking either.
“The main reason I was so excited to stop by was because of my new job,” Cassandra admitted. “I was so excited to tell John about it! Not that this hasn’t been fun, I’ve really loved this, but I’m excited!”
“Tell me!” Kayla said excitedly.
“Well,” Cassandra said, smiling slightly. “I got in as a sort of cyber secretary at President Laurent’s office. I, well, I respond to emails and stuff for him.”
“Mitch Laurent’s office, huh? He’s made several decisions that have been met with a lot of… backlash recently.”
“Oh, for sure,” Cassandra nodded. “I hate what he’s doing. He wants to privatize so much of the government, give all of it to corporations that can profit off of it and give more money back to him. Even as a secretary, I’m working for a separate corporation. It’s this web based agglomeration of secretaries who get assigned where they’re needed in government, I’ve just worked hard enough that I was promoted to work for him.”
“Well, I sure am glad we agree there,” Kayla laughed nervously. “But if you dislike his policies so much, why are you…”
“Working for him? Nothing’s going to change if no one does anything to change it, Kayla. My goal is to work myself up to a high ranking position in his office, perhaps even one that isn’t privatized, that when the time comes for him to step down, I’ll be known enough to hopefully win the position myself.”
“You know what Cassandra? That’s actually… really admirable. You’re honestly incredible.”
Cassandra smiled. “Well. It’s for the good of all, right? My parents aren’t going to be pleased when they find out what I’m actually doing, Laurent’s presidency benefits them on a personal level. But I’ve got to fix what I see as wrong in the world.”
Cassandra’s phone rang, and she held it up. “That’s my mom. Time for me and Alexander to go.”
Kayla bit back the questions she still had for Cassandra and stood up to embrace her. “It was great meeting you.”
“Likewise! Keep in touch, Kayla, I’d love to become better friends with you.”
Cassandra grabbed Alexander’s hand and led him from the house. Kayla held up a hand to wave goodbye, but the two had already gone.
She sank down into the nearest chair. Cassandra was definitely a lot more interesting than she’d ever given her credit for. She’d always heard of the Goth family, having grown up in Willow Creek, but she’d always assumed that Cassandra was going to grow up to be just another rich Goth girl. Yet another Goth who shut herself off in their family mansion, and who’s ever emergence was just a publicity stunt. Hopefully, Alexander would turn out the same way,
Kayla’s phone buzzed, and she looked down. It was a text from Melody.
Final yoga class today! Come and say your goodbyes!
Kayla immediately rushed to her room to grab her yoga clothes.
“Well, this has been great, John,” Lillian said sweetly as the restaurant staff cleared away their plates.
“I had an amazing time too,” John grinned.
John payed the check, and the two linked arms as they headed out the door.
“So. Before you disappear on me for another two weeks, is there going to be another date on the horizon?” Lillian asked. “I know I can be kind of annoying-“
“Oh, I can promise you there will be,” John grinned. “Do you want to be my girlfriend, Lillian?”
“I’d love to!” Lillian squealed, kicking up her left foot as she embraced John.
Kayla rushed into Melody’s yoga studio just as the final class was wrapping up.
“Ah. Kayla. Just the person I was hoping to see!” Melody said, her eyes lighting up when she caught sight of Kayla pushing her way into the room. “You missed the last yoga class, but you’re here now. That’s what matters.”
“I came as fast as I could Melody,” Kayla panted. “I swear.”
“I can tell, Kayla. Don’t stress,” Melody smiled.
“You told me you had a week left!” Kayla said loudly. “I was going to throw you a going away party and everything!”
“Plans change. The people who want this building closed their deal, and I have my office and home in Willow Creek already waiting for me, so I’m on my way. New clients to treat, new neighbors to greet. It’s how life goes.”
“I’m going to miss you so much, Melody. Always the voice of reason.”
“I’m just a phone call away if you ever need that reason, Kayla,” Melody smiled. “Never forget that. I’ll always help you with your problems, free of charge. After all, your shoutout in that book is the whole reason I’m able to do this.”
“Aw, come on Melody. I did that because we’re friends. And I know that’s the real reason you’re offering that, you don’t have to be mysterious right now.”
“Oh, alright Kayla. My friend. Please, visit next time you’re in Willow Creek.”
“I will!” Kayla promised.