บท 27: Speechless
Rylee quit. It was a strange, freeing feeling.
After the incident with her shift lead, she planned to go in and politely request to stay on register for the next week. But the woman insisted on causing drama. She complained to the manager, acting like Rylee was being lazy and didn't want to do her job. In turn, the manager refused to listen to Rylee's request.
Rylee didn't get a chance to bring up the doctors forms or movement restrictions, and was given a quick glance before they declared "You look fine now". The smug shift lead told Rylee to go where she was told or get out.
So Rylee left.
She never quit a job before, and certainly never walked out of one, but she felt a sense of justice doing it. She deserved better, and knew she was stupid for staying. Tara was right, and Rylee hated that she didn't listen faster, because the pain in her side already made her regret.
When she got home, she changed into her pajamas and returned to the living room. After turning on the TV she dropped into her favorite chair and waited for Bandit to take his place on her lap.
Rylee hadn't hated the job, honestly. Her other coworkers were nice and the food wasn't bad. It just wasn't a long term career choice, and wasn't worth injuring herself further. She sighed and shut her eyes, annoyed she had been so eager to get back to work, and now she was already dying for a break. It felt like she wasn't satisfied with anything.
The doorbell rang and caught her by surprise as Bandit bolted toward the noise. Curiosity dragged her after him, picking up his wriggling figure before unlocking the bolts. The doorway was empty, but a package was sitting on the stoop. Surprised, she brought it inside, and after relooking the door, she checked the label.
It was addressed to her!
"I don't remember ordering anything..." she said curiously, grabbing a pair of scissors and cutting through the tape. When she did, her mouth dropped open in shock. A brand new gaming counsel was nestled inside the protective wrapping. She was ready to reseal it, sure there was a mistake, when the gift note caught her eye.
Evan... bought her.... this?
"Hey Ry, why are you home early?"
There was a jingle as Tara's keys landed on the table next to her, but Rylee was still staring at the box like she was in shock. She lifted her head, dazed as she tried to process what she was looking at.
"Hey, when did you order an N Swap?" Her roommate asked in surprise.
"I didn't," Rylee whispered, holding out the note. Tara's eyebrows shot up.
"Wow, I guess freelance design pays pretty good. And it's a collectors edition..."
"I can't keep this!"
Rylee stared at the gold foil designs and the smooth curved finish. The protective case was sleek and new. Then there was the game cartridge, a cherry on top of it all, making her selfish desire conflict with modesty. This was too expensive for someone to give her on a whim! But she wanted to play it for so long, and she had spent all week working with him...
The way the note was worded created the real temptation. He hadn't offered it with any romantically inclination, he simply thanked her for being there.
If it was a thank you, should she really refuse?
"Rylee, you spent the week helping with his art. He probably felt inclined to do something back. Don't kill the guys ego," Tara seemed to think the same way. It was impossible to resist.
In the end, all she could do was pull out her phone and type, 'Thank you!!!!' If she called, she was sure she might cry, and that was doomed to make both of them feel awkward. After the day Rylee had, she needed the pick me up. This was more than she ever hoped for.
Rylee scooped up the box carefully and retreated with it to her room.
"Hey! Are you going to hide in there now? You didn't answer why you were home early! Ry!"
Rylee was already setting up the system, eager to play for the first time. There were always a million downloads and updates that needed to happen before ever getting to a game. It was a good thing she had the morning off now!
Her chest felt warm with happiness. Blake would have never done something like this for her. It didn't matter if it was flowers, candies or a card, he was didn't go out of his way to surprise her. Every holiday, Rylee had to flat out declare what she wanted, since he lacked creativity. On their last year together, he forgot her birthday entirely. It was awful how much happier she felt now than with a man she had planned to marry. Why had she been so naive back then!
Evan had listened to her when she spoke, not just buying the gaming system, but searching for one that matched her favorite game. When she was at his house, he was a gentleman. Even when she got cold feet and left, he didn't push. She wished she hadn't let her nerves get rattled so easily. At least she could thank him properly when they all went to the movies. The idea made her nervous, but in a new, good way.
Running her fingers across the button and controls, Rylee smiled, experiencing butterflies she thought she never would. She was loading the title screen but secretly thinking of an artist who was creating a mess inside her heart.
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