Kassie opened the door to the condo. The small light on the table was on. Kassie took a deep breath as she was finally glad to be back home. Today was supposed to be a smooth ride but turned out to be a disaster. She pulled her bags into her bedroom. She spotted the Whiskey bottle on the counter top and smiled as she thought of Jessica. She grabbed her self a glass and some ice and poured herself a drink. Her world stopped for a moment as the golden liquid touched her lip with joy. She swallowed the drink and closed her eyes. She opened her eyes and seen the stack of notes that laid all over the countertop.
"Not tonight" She spoke to herself and took her glass into her bedroom with her. She looked down at her phone as all the messages for the week slowly came in. She turned on some music and began to dance around the room as she drank her drink. She pulled up on the bag and then the other to the bed and began to unpack it. Kassie spun around to grab her drink from the dresser and laughed as she shook the empty glass. She looked at the bags on the bed. She still had items to put away.
"One more one more!" She shouted to her self as if she was cheering herself on. She poured herself another drink and went into the bedroom to finish up unpacking her bag.
The next morning it was early as she woke up and looked out over the balcony as she noticed the sun just coming up over the ocean. She smiled to her self and decided that she should go for a quick run for a nice wake up before she got coffee in. She went back into the bathroom and brush her teeth and take care of her bed head hair. She laughed at her self as she pulled the nest back into a ponytail. She got gray yoga pants and matching sports bras along with sneakers.
Kassie walked out of the condo building as she made her way down to the beach. She stood in the sand for a while as she looked out tot he ocean. Her mind went right to Monday and how different things are going to be. She took a deep breath and began to stretch a bit.
"Kassie?" A familiar voice called her name
She stood up and turned around to see Roger and another female, "Hey Roger!" Kassie said with a big smile, and he came over to her and hugged her.
"How are you?"
"I am okay." She said with a smile, trying hard not to show that the whole Mark situation is bugging her.
"Kassie, this is my wife, Robin. Robin, this is Kassie. She works out with Mark." Roger said as he put his hands on his hip.
"Nice to meet you," the girls said to each other and waved.
"Where have you been?"
"Oh, I had to get away for a bit." She said and blew it off
"Well, I am glad your back. Hopefully, with you back, Mark will show up."
"Hmm," Kassie said and did not give any details on what was happening.
"Good seeing you, don't let me stop you." Roger said, "Hun, this chick can run."
"It is just something to do to get the stress out." She chuckled a little as she tried to just blow off the comment.
"Good seeing you," Roger said, and Kassie said goodbye and made her way to start her run down the beach. It was still early enough that she could do it right on the edge of the water, which she enjoyed.
The time was getting to about mid-morning, and Kassie knew she should be getting back home and get her day going. She came off of the beach and started to tap off her shoes the best she could. She crossed the street and noticed that there were an ambulance and several police cars in the parking lot of the condo. "Hmm, I wonder what is going on?" Kassie thought as she started to cross the lot.
Johnathan stood next to the ambulance. "Johnathan? What is going on?" She said as she walked over to him, and he basically leaped into her arms.
"Nan" He sobbed to her, and Kassie wrapped her arms around him.
"Is she okay?"
"She died," He said, and Kassie just rubbed his back.
"Is your mom on her way over?" Kassie asked as she moved him away, seeing EMS staff coming out.
"Yeah," He said as he just continued to hug her. Kassie stayed with Johnathan until his mother came. The two of them chatted about TV and movies, and then he finally asked, "Where is the Undertaker?"
"He is at his house," She said, unsure if that is really where he was, but it made Johnathan feel better.
"Mom!" He screamed and ran over to the woman. Kassie stood up as she walked over with Johnathan. "Mom, this is Kassie. She gave me the Undertaker things."
"Hello, Thank you so much. He doesn't stop talking about him or the items."
"Not a problem. I am so sorry about your mom. Can you let me know when the viewing will be?"
"Not a problem." She said, and the two exchanged numbers. "Sorry, I better give them the information that they need," She said, looking at the Police waiting. Kassie nodded his head and decided to just take the steps up.
Kassie roamed around the house, getting herself ready for the week, along with just watching mindless sappy romantic dramas on television. She was already three shows, along with almost a full bottle of wine. Kassie was surely letting herself fill up with this self wallow as she started to numb her feelings. She stared at the pile of notes on the counter top.
"Come on, get your shit together," Kassie said as she grabbed her glass and bottle and went to sit at the bar. She got up off the sofa and went to sit at the bar. She down what was left of her drink, and pulled out her phone, and looked at it, seeing there were no notifications. Kassie felt like that was weird, but just knew she was stalling for not reading the notes. She poured her self another glass finishing the bottle. She grabbed the first note that was closest to her. She opened it and started to read;
"I would try and offer and explanation for what I did, but there are no excuses. My intention, though good, doesn't matter anymore. I take responsibility for my action and all the pain I caused you."
Kassie put the note down and grabbed the next one.
"Nothing I can say will reverse the pain that I caused you. I am really sorry. Please find it in your heart to forgive me."
Kassie sighed and took another drink of her wine and grabbed note after note. Mark must have visited every day multiply times a day. Kassie could feel the tears starting to well in her eyes. She picked up the phone and dialed a number.
"Hey, I need an ear," Kassie said, her voice beginning to crack.
"Any time, Kass, what is going on?" Jessica said as she just listened
"I finally started opening the notes." She said as tears just started to fall from her eyes.
"Yeah," Jessica took a deep breath "What are you thinking?"
"I am falling apart." She cried as she could not even get words out. "All these emotions and Mrs. Jones passed away. I am just falling apart."
"Kassie, you can tell with those letters. He is still in love with you. Mrs. Jones is just part of life; it is just hitting you harder" She tried to help her understand and hear what she didn't want to hear so that she couldn't hurt. "Kass, I can tell you are drinking. I am sure you been watching that romantic movie network."
"Yeah," She said as she sniffled and wiped her tears.
"Kass, Mark screwed up, and I am not saying that what he did was right at all. Trust me, the girls and I have been giving him hell for the last week" She said, and Kassie laughed a bit "I am not going to sugar coat it, but if you think you are just going to get over this. It is going to be harder then you think," She said, and Kassie took a deep breath.
"Jess, I have to get figure out a way to get over this." She said as she finished off her glass.
"Why?" She asked and waited, and Kassie didn't say anything. "Why do you have to get over this and forget what you two had? If you still have feelings for him, maybe you should be figuring out how to just get over the issue." Kassie was quiet "Kass, you still there?"
"Yeah," She said and just stared at the notes that were not all over the place.
"Look, why don't you call it a night. Turn off that sappy movie, and get yourself to bed. Tomorrow is another day." Jessica suggested to her as she could tell between the alcohol and the emotions she was not going to sort anything out tonight.
"Your right. Good night" Kassie said and hung up the phone. Jessica was right. She sighed and cleaned up the living room, and got ready to call it a night.
Kassie wore her hair down in the natural curls with a smokey eye. She decided on wearing a daisy floral v-neck asymmetrical wrapped dress that came to the knee with white heels. She grabbed white little knitted shaw that she put over the dress's butterfly sleeves. She looked at her self in the mirror, and she gave herself a smiled "You got this girl." She said out loud, trying to get her energy up. She grabbed her purse and headed out the door.
The girls stood around Kassie with coffee in hands. They were chatting along with the other employees about the weekends. Kassie stood with her back against the wall in silence. Monday morning meetings never went well, and it always set the tone for the week. Mr. Smith walked in and went right over to Kassie.
"Good Morning, my dear," He said and gave her a side hug taking a breath of her perfume into his nostrils as he held his coffee in one hand, "How was the vacation?" He asked, not letting her go as he stood close to her.
"It was well. A lot of fresh air," Kassie said with a smile, "How are you doing?"
"So much better since I saw you came back," He said with a smile. Glen came walking into the room, and the room started to take note to pay attention. Kassie looked around and saw Mark hanging out around the door. She looked over at him and seen his eyes catch hers, and he gave a hard look at Mr. Smith and then looked away.
"Listen up. I know everyone enjoys the fun on Monday morning meetings, but I want to make this short and sweet. I need all the team leaders up here," He said with his coffee in one hand as he pointed
to
three different sections. "A... B... C," He said, and everyone stood still "Let's go," He said, and Kassie walked up there for group B, and the other two stood on either side of her. "Now, what is about to happen does not reflect on all the hard-working that anyone has done," Glen said, and Kassie started to scan the room. She looked at Mr. Smith, who looked liked he needs to clean his throat as he smiled at Kassie. "We are going down to two groups and the two groups... the two groups that are going to stay are..." Glen started, and Kassie looked over at Mark "A and C..."
The employees started to make noise. The girls were the loudest. "You have to be kidding me. Group B won the most contracts!" Jennifer said over everyone, and Glen did not respond.
"Everyone settled down," Glen said, and the room went down to a mummer "Leaders A and C. I need you to pick members from the group B..." Kassie looked at Mark, who just continued to pace back and forth at the door, "Except for Kassie." Glen said, and Kassie's hand snapped over to look at him.
"This is all because of me," Kassie thought to her self "They are pulling the team apart, and it is all because of me," She had to keep the team together. She walked over to Glen, "Glen, there is no reason to break apart the team."
"It's already done, Kassie. I will deal with you in a bit." He said as he looked at her and placed his hand on her arm, trying to comfort her yet needing to get this completed.
Kassie flopped down in the chair and covered her face. "Oh my, what have I done," she thought as she finally looked up to see Mark walking away. She felt her heart sink once more, and doubted that anything that was going to be done would make her feel better.
"Everyone has their new teams?" Glen asked, and the employees nodded their heads. "Good now, go out there and catch up with the new members of your team members. Thank you," Glen said, and the employees started to file out of the room. Kassie stayed sitting in the chair, and Mr. Smith pulled up the chair and sat next to Kassie. He placed his coffee on the table and didn't say a word. Glen finally closed the door and sat down with the two of them. "Welcome back, Kassie. Sorry to have that on a Monday morning, but it had to get done." Glen said as he took a small sip of coffee.
"Shall I tell her?" Mr. Smith said, and Kassie looked up at her as her face was showing every emotion she was thinking.
"Sure, if you like," Glen said and raised his glass.
"I am excited to offer you a position with my team," Mr. Smith said with a big smile, "You will join me at meetings and, of course, do special projects for Glen when needed until you are fully transferred over."
"Oh, wow," Kassie said softly under her breath. "I- I am flattered at the opportunity, Mr. Smith," She said, "But I feel that I have a lot of growth I could still do under Glen's grooming." She said as she looked over at Glen, who was just sipping his coffee.
"Oh, I agree, that is why you will still help him with projects from time to time." Mr. Smith said with a smiled as he patted her shoulder. "Lets just slowly transfer you over... nothing that has to happen overnight. I see a bright future in you, Kassie."
"Um, yes, Sir," She said, and Glen smiled.
"Good, I am excited for you Kassie. This could really get your career on the fast track." He said, and Mr. Smith stood up as he checked his watch.
"I am sorry to run like this, but Glen makes sure to give Kassie my number. I will get the paperwork to HR and get that transfer going." He said as he finished his coffee and threw his cup away and then left the room.
Kassie waited until the door was completely shut "Are you doing this because of Mark?"
"No," Glen said, "Why would you ask?"
"Um-" Kassie tried to catch her words and use them wisely.
"When Mr. Smith came to me with the idea this week. I was really excited that he sees the potential in you as I do."
"Yeah," Kassie said as her breath left her body just stared at the table.
"No worry, it will take months for the transfer to happen," He said as she got up. "If you have any issues, you know I am always here for you." Kassie nodded her head, and Glen walked out of the room and onto the office floor.
"I need to talk to you" Kassie could hear Mark as he walked down the hall and looked at Kassie and went into Glen's office the door closed heavy as he closed it. "What are you doing?"
"Don't slam my door," Glen said and walked behind his desk. "Kassie was requested by Mr. Smith. No worries. She will still be here to torture you for a few months."
"Get her back on this floor. Get her back in a group on this floor. You have no idea what you just agreed too."
"Why?" He paused, "You two might like to play this game. I need to make sure this floor continues to make money" Glen looked at Mark, who was now holding onto the chair that sat in front of his desk.
"He is a pig, and you are feeding her to that abuse!" Mark screamed at Glen, his voice loud enough that Kassie heard it as she walked past the office and back to her desk.
"Lower your voice and remember where you are," Glen said, putting his foot down on Mark's attitude.
"Get her back on this floor," Mark said between grit teeth.
"She will be transferred as it stands right now." He paused and looked at Mark who pounded on the chair in front of him
"You have no idea what you are doing when it comes to this." Mark said and stood up, "Get her back on this floor." Mark said in a very low, but very stern voice. Mark looked over at Kassie as he walked out of Glen's office and also went back into his office and closed the door.
The week started to become longer and longer as Kassie sat at the desk and read report after report. She was still on the same floor with girls. Kassie would have lunch with the girls and went through her days just trying to get through them. Mark would still watch her as much as he could. She could not wait till the weekend to just get away from all the drama that surrounded her. Kassie saw the elevator open up in the side of her eyes. She turned her head and seen Crystal walking out, and she looked a bit lost.
"Crystal?" She said as she got out of her chair and walked over to her
"Kassie, how are you?" She asked and put her hands out for a hug. Kassie hugged her tight.
"I am hanging in there." She said with a smile, "Glen didn't say you were coming in today."
"I am sure he forgot. Where is that husband of mine?"
"Here, I will show you." She said as she fixed her dress and started to head down the aisle and then turned around the corner.
"Look at your outfit... my goodness," Crystal said, and Mark straightens out as he could hear the two of them walking towards Glen's office.
"Thanks. He should be in there, " Kassie said and pointed at Glen's office door and stood in front of Mark's open door.
"Thank you," Crystal said and leaned into Mark's office, "Hey Mark."
"Hi Crystal," He said and looked at the two girls, and he changed his focus to the computer, but really was watching the girls. He stared at Kassie as she stood in the doorway, not saying a word to him. Her one arm cross in front of her holding her elbow as he bit her lip. Mark played several scenes in his head of him talking to her but never moved from his seat.
"Hey," Crystal said as she knocked on the door. Glen waved her to close the door, and she did, "Seem like he forgot."
"Not a problem. Come, let's get you a drink or something," Kassie said with a smile, and the two of them walked away from the offices and into the cafeteria. Kassie got both of them drinks, and they sat down to chat.
"So, now that it is just us. How are you really doing?" Crystal said as she could see right through Kassie's front.
"I am still torn." She said as she ran her hand up and down the cup slowly. "I want him back," she said softly.
"Then, I hate to break the news to you..." Crystal said and took a breath, "Either you forgive him and hand out the olive branch, or you let him go." Kassie nodded as she knew that she was right "You are putting yourself through more pain that you don't need. Everyone agrees with you what he did was wrong, but girl, you are just plain to hurt yourself at this point."
"Yeah, I am told I am just making it harder because my neighbor who I was pretty close to just passed away."
"I could understand that, but I think it is more about Mark. Glen told me you are going to be moving departments. Are you excited about that?"
"No, I am going to be working with a man that is a walking billboard for sexual harassment."
"Oh, I am not sure that Glen knew about that."
"I think Mark told him because I heard Mark screaming at him the day that I found out."
"I try really hard not to get involved with his work life, but I will drop a hint to him."
"Thanks. I am not really wanting to be moving departments."
"Looks like I am being summoned," Crystal pointed to Glen standing at the door. Crystal and Kassie stood up, and they hugged once more. "Take a breath and flip a coin. You can always pick again," She said and rubbed her arm, and Kassie shook her head. "Call me if you need anything."
"Thank you," She said and watched Glen open the door for her. It is like she flipped a switch in Kassie's mind, and for once, she was thinking pretty clear and was glad that this day was almost done.
Kassie was running on the treadmill at the condo as her phone ran "Hello?"
"Kassie. Its Johnathan."
"Yeah, Johnathan. How are you?"
"I am okay. My mom wanted to know if you would give part of the eulogy."
"Sure, I can do that. When is the funeral?"
"Friday at 2 pm at Almond Funeral Home."
"Not a problem. I will be there."
"Thank you, Kassie," He said, and the conversation ended. Kassie looked up at the lights in the ceiling, wondering what she was going to say. She needed to prepare something since Friday was only a day away.
Kassie
went right back to her music and got her self back into the rhythm and back to running.
Kassie wore her hair back in a low bun with a few strains of hair out that draped on either side of her face. She wore a basic light gray slack outfit with a white blouse along with black heels. She sighed as she turned off her car sitting in the parking lot. She leaned her head back against the seat as she looked around to see if Mark was already here. She notices the song that was on the radio and couldn't help but start bouncing to the beat. She started to laugh, and it was just what she needed. She got out of the car and into the office. She got into the elevator that had mirrors all around her. She took this chance and made a face in the mirror and took a photo of it. She laughed at her self and put her phone away.
The day was almost over, and she needed to talk to Glen. She finally sees his door was open, and no one was around. She walked over to his office and knocked on her door, "Sorry, Glen." She said, and Mark looked up from his desk as he noticed she was talking, and Mark was nosey.
"Hey Kassie," He said "Come on in"
"Thanks," She said as she walked into his office "Is it okay if I take a PTO day tomorrow. I need to do and eulogy for my neighbor."
"Sure, not a problem," He said, " I am sorry to hear the news. I hope you do well with it."
"Thank you," She said, and that was the only word that Mark heard. Glen walked to his door and looked at Mark and watch him watch Kassie walk to Jessica. Glen and Mark's eyes meet, and Glen walked back into his office as he shook his head.
"Hey, I am not going to be here tomorrow." She said as Jessica pulled her earbuds out.
"Are you okay?" Jessica asked, unsure about what was going on.
"Yeah, Mrs. Jone's funeral is tomorrow, and I need to give part of the eulogy."
"Oh, okay," She said "Well, good luck that sucks," Jessica said, and Kassie shook her head.
"I know it sounds horrible, but getting a day out of here might be good."
"Oh yeah."
"Well, I got to go to my new department this afternoon."
"Make sure that the girls and the booty look good." Jessica teased, and Kassie shook her head and headed back to her desk as Jessica laughed out loud and put her headphones back in. She turned to her computer and continued listening to the video she was watching.
Mark locked up his computer and grabbed his bag, laptop, and jacket. He looked over at where Kassie should be sitting, and she was not there. He sighed and just had to get out of here. He turned out his light and closed the door.
"Glen, I am out of here tonight. I will work on more at home." Mark said as he called into his office. Glen nodded his head, and Mark turned around and started to make his way out of the office. He looked at Jessica and decided to take a risk. "Good night, Jess," He said as she rounded the corner.
"Good night, Mark," Jessica said as she pulled the earbuds out. She watched him stop, pause, and then walk to the elevator doors.
Mark sat at his kitchen table with his laptop open as he tried to really focus on the work at hand. He could not get himself to focus enough to get the work done. He took a sip of his beer that sat on the table and looked at his cell phone. He picked it up and flipped it open his background of Kassie and him just staring back at him. He missed her more then he could admit at this point. He scrolled to the photos, and he smiled at each one as he studied them photo by photo. Mark placed his phone down and rubbed his eyes. The door opens the and Mark got up to look around the corner.
"Vincent? Are you okay?" Mark asked, sort of unsure why he was even here.
"Yeah, I am okay, dad. I need some advice is Kassie around?"
"Um," He paused. "Sorry she isn't," He said as Vincent walked into the kitchen see the laptop on the table and an open beer.
"So, where is she? Can you call her?"
"Well, tell me what is going on?" Mark asked as he picked up his beer, and Vincent went into the refrigerator and grabbed a soda.
"Well, there was this party, and you know drinking and what not is happening. There was a girl there, and I thought she was really into me, and I went for a drink for the two of us since we were going to.." He paused and felt a bit embarrassed
"Do what?" Mark pushed, "What were you going to do, Vincent?"
"We were going to go do some blow, okay?" Vincent stopped, "Can I just talk to Kassie. This is not going well."
"Well, first off, where did you get blow?"
"Oh my god, Dad!" He paused, "Did you piss off Kassie? Where is she?" Vincent asked, getting louder than his father and then looked away from him and on the floor. The silence in the room was getting deeper and deeper.
Mark took a few deep swallows of his beer, almost downing the whole can. "Yeah, I did," He finally said. "I fucked up, and I know it."
"Yeah, well, I fuck up a lot too," Vincent said, and Mark patted him on the back.
"It's okay... It's okay," Mark repeated as his son buried his head into his chest for the first time in a long time, and Mark just hugged him.
Mark was running late the next day as he rushed into the office. Most of the staff was already there. He looked at Kassie's cubical, and none of her items were there. "Where was she?" Mark thought but walked into her office and got his computer up and going. He then grabbed himself a cup of coffee and took a few sips out of it as he noticed that Kassie still was not here. He took a deep breath and walked back into his office. He looked down at the clock and noticed that it was pretty late for Kassie to come in. He took another sip of coffee, and the idea started. Mark walked over to Jessica's desk.
"Hey, Jessica?" He asked as he leaned up against the cubical.
"Hi Mark," She said and looked up at him "What do you need?"
"Do you happen to know where Kassie is?"
"Yes," She said and gave no more details.
"Where?"
"Um," She said and looked down and then back up at Mark.
"Jess, you know that I never meet to hurt her. I am hurting too, and I just want to make sure that she is okay."
"Well, she is okay." Jessica said as she stood up, "We all promised each other not to say a word."
"I won't tell anyone," He said in a soft whisper with a smile, and Jessica looked up at him and smiled too.
Kassie wore a black lace skater dress which had a nice lace v-neckline and short sleeves with a high waist. She looked good and started to feel her self. She wore her hair in loose beach waves with a very middle tone eye. She grabbed her black heels and put them next to her purse. She was not sure how today was going to go, and she wrote a few items down just in case she forgot what she wanted to say.
Kassie pulled up to Almond Funeral Home and got out of her car. She put her sunglasses on as the wind blew her hair and dress. Johnathan and his mother meet her at the door as they greeted each other, and the three of them slowly went into the funeral home. Kassie took a slow breath as she walked into the building, her stomach already doing somersaults as Johnathan continued to bring up every person that was in the room to her explaining who she was and that she was dating the Undertaker. Kassie smiled and greeted each person. She kept having small talk with each person too. Kassie's eyes continued to look up at were Mrs. Jones laid. She took a few breaths and then made her way up to see her. Kassie stood in front of the casket and closed her eyes. She could not believe that she was gone.
Mrs. Jones's daughter came up and patted Kassie on the shoulder. "Do you want to start?"
"Um, sure," She said as she looked around, noticing that the room was pretty filled with people. She pointed towards the podium. She walked over to it and took out the paper from her purse.
"Hello, everyone, let's get the celebration of my mom's life." She paused, "Kassie, the floor is yours."
Kassie took a deep breath and started to fig-git with the edge of the paper. "Mrs. Jones was the sweetest neighbor that I have met. She was the type that you could wake her up at 2 am for some milk, and she would give it to you along with motherly advice. She always told me to slow down and live in the present moment. Everyone knows how it is in your early 20s and thinking that you are superman." She said and chuckled a bit with the crowd. She looked up and saw Mark turn the corner, and her heart began to race. Johnathan saw that Mark was there and got up from his seat and ran right to him. "I will never forget the last bit of advice that Mrs. Jones gave me a few days before she left us. She told me that I needed to stop thinking about me and start thinking about us. She always had the best advice, and after 40 years of marriage and a beautiful family. I always took her advice as her passing her knowledge from experience." Kassie paused, "There is something to say about all the sacrifices that Mrs. Jones must have done within her life. I can only hope all the advice she gave me. I never lose, and one day I can be that neighbor that will pass my knowledge onto the next generation." She looked at Mark, who was staring right at her. Her breath quicken as she wiped a few tears away.
"How come this just got ten times harder," Kassie thought as she walked away from the podium, and Mrs. Jones's daughter grabbed onto her and held onto her and hugged her tightly.
"Thank you. My mom shared all the right knowledge with you" She cried, and Kassie rubbed her back.
Mark stood in the back as he spoke to the people that Johnathan kept introducing to him. He watched Kassie as she slowly walked around the room and slowly made her way out of the funeral home. She stood in the fresh air for a while as she pulled her hair away from her face. She took a deep breath and walked off the steps and headed towards her car.