4 Episode 4 - Girl With A Plan

Tanya: Pam brought us back to his 2-bedroom apartment in Brooklyn. It was a lovely and cozy place. The vibe and interiors are very similar to a hippie coffee shop, but with three full grown adults squeezed in, it was kinda cramped.

We decided that Lexie, not being used to roughing it up, the little princess that she is, will use Pam's spare bedroom and I will just camp out in the living room. To be honest, I don't mind. It's a nice change to the environment. Kind of reminiscent to my college days, where you sleep on a friend's couch after a whole night of studying or partying. Back in college, when I felt most free.

Being in a long-term relationship, makes you feel at times, trapped. As much as I love Tim, sometimes I feel like since we've been together for so long, people started to think of us as one person. I can't even remember the last time people referred to us as separate individuals. We have always been referred to as lovebirds, you two, and at times, just you. Like "you are invited to our wedding", "you want to hang out later?" and by you, they mean us. The both of us.

I wonder when did I stop becoming me? Was it in high school? In college? When we got married? Is there even truly a me? Even before Tim, I was Principal Hawkins' daughter or Lexie's best friend. But was there even a me, me?

I can't remember. But starting tomorrow, maybe there is going to finally be a Tanya Hawkins.

--o--

Pam: Rise and shine, bitches! Up, up, up. Let's discuss the terms of your lease here at Casa Pamela.

Lexie: What?

Pam: What, what? Honey, you do know that I'm not letting you stay here for free, right?

Lexie: Yeah, yeah. I know. But really? First thing in the morning? You know I'm not good with numbers, let alone in the morning.

Tanya: But Pam's right, Lex. We need a game plan. I'm heading out today, see if I can find a job.

Pam: Yaasss, girl! That's the spirit. Unlike little missy here.

Lexie: Hey, give me a break! I haven't done this job thing.

Pam: WHAT?! You mean to tell me you never, as in never had a job?

Tanya: Yup, that's right.

Lexie: No! What do you mean? I interned at my dad's.

Tanya: Well, can you tell me what you did there exactly?

Lexie: Well I did uh...

Tanya: Uh-huh.

Lexie: And uhm ah... look, that was a long time ago okay? I did it the summer before college.

Tanya: You mean the summer before college applications.

Pam: Oh you poor little princess. How are you gonna survive here?

Lexie: Shut up!

--o--

Tanya: The two are still bickering at each other when I left. Always being the girl with a plan, I have researched and sent my resumes in advanced to several advertising companies here in New York. I didn't tell Lexie because I don't want her to feel bad, but I actually got an interview today.

I arrived at my interview somewhere in what appears to be called Soho. Damn, New York is confusing. I was greeted by a friendly girl, in the reception and was asked to wait. I was in for about twenty minutes when I was finally called for my interview with Cindy Smarts, the marketing manager.

--o--

Cindy: Hi! I'm a very busy woman so let's get this done and over with as quickly as we can.

Tanya: Right. So as you can see on my resume, I have worked with several...

Cindy: Yeah, yeah, yeah. So when can you start?

Tanya: What?

Cindy: You heard me.

Tanya: I can start as early as tomorrow.

Cindy: Great. Give these papers to Rachel at the reception.

--o--

Tanya: Woah, that was easy. Should it be this easy? I mean, of course I am very confident with my skills and experience, but I wasn't expecting for the interview to be that quick, and to land a job on my first interview. But, oh well. Lucky me, I guess. Tides are finally shifting to my favor after all the crap I've experienced for the past few weeks.

So, I handed my papers to Rachel at the reception and she gave me a slip of paper for my pre-employment requirements. Diploma, check. Transcript, check. Medical test, we can do that now.

I returned to my new office at around 4 o'clock and was greeted again by Rachel. I swear, I'm going to be friends with this girl. She's the only one who seems to be genuinely happy in this part of the city.

--o--

Rachel: Welcome back! So glad to have you on board. We really had a hard time looking for Jenny's replacement.

Tanya: Thanks! So, Jenny's the one I'm replacing, huh? Why did she leave?

Rachel: Well, you've met Cindy. She's not exactly the friendly type, is she? I mean she's gone through four assistants just this year alone and we're not even half way through.

Tanya: Wow! Four assistant marketing managers, just this year?

Rachel: What? Oh no, no. Four executive assistants. We relatively have small turnovers for the supervisors and assistant manager level.

Tanya: Wa-wait. I'm assistant marketing manager. That's what I applied for. Not executive assistant.

Rachel: Shit! There must be some kind of mix up with the HR. Fuck! Cindy's gonna kill me! Is there any chance you'll still accept the job?

Tanya: Oh no, Rachel. I'm so sorry. I honestly think it will be fun working here, and I thought we will be friends, but I can't accept this job. Not to brag, but at my previous work, I actually have my own assistant. I'm sorry.

--o--

Tanya: Rachel handed back all my requirements to me and I said goodbye. No wonder that was so easy. It was a fucking mistake. And here I thought I finally have all the luck in the world.

I opened the folder Rachel handed out to me to see if everything is in there. Then I saw a pink sheet that I haven't seen before. The results of my medical test. Somewhere in the middle I saw something that made me weak on the knees. My heart started pounding, and I suddenly can't breathe.

Hawkins, Tanya Jessica

Age: 28

Pregnancy Test: Positive.