Few more pictures

I sat on my window sill staring out into the world. A few large, white clouds linger in the pale, washed-out blue of the sky. Buildings could be seen from in the distance rising out on the horizon. A stared at a few scraggly trees and bushes dotting their tan, below me guided by the leading roads. The roads are empty, save for one or two cars that race by, and houses line it side by side, each the same dull brown color, the block-shaped elementary school only a couple blocks down fitting into the bleak landscape.

"Girl, you left this place in a mess," Peter sang into my ears. I smirked at the way he sound, looking into the cream cocoa cup of tea I had in front of me, while he spoke to me on my phone.

"It's not like I have much of a choice. Honestly, I don't know know how you guys put up with it," I said as bent my knee closer to my chest as I sip from my cup.

Peter had been my friend at my old job, guiding me through the mischiefs of the working surrounding. He always kept telling me to ignore her and put my chin held high. His quirkier self was so enlightening, not to mention embracing my unique self. His makeup tips were to die for and when he wore his he always shone, putting any girl to shame.

"I guess, we were all afraid of her," he hummed.

"Afraid!" Jada screeched into the phone. "I call you cowards, she's been stepping on your toes for far too long, if I were her receptionist I would spill her scummy secrets." Jada was always the outburst one, never hiding anything. If you need the plain truth, she wasn't the one to hide it. I knew her through college and we have been through thick and thin. Peter and Jada sometimes find each other irritating, but they got along well enough because of me.

"Maybe," Peter answered like he was recoiling. "She cried all day when Soraya left. I guess that report was important. I do not think she slept either. I believe she had on the same outfit."

I could hear Jada laughing.

"Well, I guess the meeting was really, and I mean really bad because Jerada kept on screaming at her. They were hollering for hours, it seemed like no end."

"Whose Jerada?" Jada asked.

"The owner," me and Peter simultaneously said.

"Isn't he a bit too late on that," Jada sounded irritated.

"Yea, our pay was supposed to be distributed next week after that, and we still haven't gotten it," Peter said sadly.

"Oh Peter, I'm sorry," Jada hummed.

I sighed, "Maybe I should have stayed until pay week, at least you guys would have gotten your salaries." I looked out my window for answers.

"Hell no!" Peter frighten me slightly. "No, never! Girl, it's the best decision you made. Honestly, it was a long time coming." I purred in consideration. Maybe realizing my dampened mood Peter sighed.

"But that's not the best part," he said. I waited for his disclosure. "Either way, Camilla, showed up at the office yesterday," Peter said.

"What?!" I shoot up, almost bouncing the cup out of my hands. "Camilla was there?!" I proclaimed.

"Yea, girl," Peter chanted, "I still cannot understand, why on earth that man went and slept with Miss. Basher, she's a hell of a sexy. Anyways, she arrived quite early, I'm guessing your type of early Soraya."

"Oh, really," I said with interest.

"Yea, I wasn't even there to even greet her."

"Wait, wait, whose Camilla?" Jada said, completely lost.

"Oh, that's Jerada's wife," Peter squealed.

"The wife. Oh shit," Jada hollowed.

"Yea," Peter sounded delighted. " She ripped everything out of that office, and I mean everything. She pretty much dismissed Miss. Basher, like the trash she is. When Miss. Basher couldn't even enter the premises and was only directed to the dumpster. She was cussing and screaming in front of the building until Camilla confronted her. She uttered a few words and Miss. Basher shut the hell up and left a few minutes after."

"Oh, I wish I was there," I whimpered, sipping my cream cocoa.

"Camilla has been such a darling, the place has taken a three sixty."

"Why didn't she do that, until now?! Letting that uneducated cow run the company?" Jada jolted.

"Who knows?" Peter said "I figure there must have been some agreement, between the three of them. And I am figuring those meeting was part of it. So when Soraya left," I could hear and visualize him smirking on phone. "Let's just say, the bitch finally got served."

"Hmmm," Jada said. "So, Soraya how are you holding up on your end?"

I took a moment to think about what she just said. I had been working in a relatively unstable office and was constantly anxious about losing my job. After all, I wasn't from the city, but from the country. I had gotten through with college in the suburbs and managed to land these jobs soon after leaving. So I had rent, utilities, and other stuff to consider. I thought I had gotten the dream job, but instead, it was in a toxic work environment. I'd felt hard on myself. I had at least two more rent and spare change to fund everything else. Normally before I left a job I would find another one, but this wasn't the case.

"I need a job," I eventually sighed into the phone.

"Oh, honey, maybe if you ask Camilla, she would hire ..." Peter began.

"No!" I snapped back. I do not want to be reminded of what took place. Also, I can do better.

"Well, I'm in the heart of the city, Paramount," Jada began. "You're just a few miles away, and there are a lot of jobs here." I did not answer, I guess she waiting for my response. "Well, I have a friend that working at this building. I bet she could find something to squeeze you into."

I sighed, "As, long as I am not cleaning any dishes. I do not intend to drop back to that level. Did that, done that."

"The city?" Peter sounded sad. "Jada, this has been your plan all along. Kidnap my girl and left me here in the suburbs."

"Ugh, come on Peter. I have been pleading with you all to come to the city. I'm the lonely one. I have no one in the big city," Jada complained.

"Yeah, right," Peter's voice shrugged.

I scanned my phone to look at the time, it was after four in the evening. I then look at my empty cup. I then stared outside, where my third floor had a direct view of the park.

"Hey, guys," I said.

"Yea."

"Yup."

"I'm going now, so later," I responded to them both.

"You sure you're fine?" Peter asked.

"What about my job suggestion?" Jada said.

"I'm fine, just need some time alone. Um," I considered what Jada said. "Ah, Jada... you can send me the link, I'll consider it, okay."

"Alone?" Peter started.

"Okay, but I need you to sign up," Jada said squeezing herself in.

"Hey, I'm speaking to her," Peter blurted.

"Bye, guys," I uttered and hang up the phone. There was no other way to end this. I crawled off my window sill and placed my cup and phone on a counter close by in the living room. I went straight into my bedroom and change into a more comfortable outfit to go outside.

I then grabbed my keys and phone and trailed myself to the park close by. I was not far from the entrance as I saw a child nonetheless six years going up and down the slopes of the park walkway on her scooter. Seemly, she had become an expert in braking and a master of turns. The way she went fast with a grin on her face as her mother gave chase after her, I couldn't help but smile. As I approach the hill, she followed past me toward the sprinkler pool. A field with a huge geyser of water where in the summer neighborhood kids would play.

I turned left, up towards the hill, following the path. Now I could hear the music, and after not too long could see the dancers entertaining their guests. I walked slowly as I watch the couples, do line dances and what appear to me to be versions of the waltz. I grinned seeing a boy trying to dance along with the couples, urging his seemed-to-be mother to take his hands.

I continued, it's much quieter now. As I see many couples find themselves making their way to the top of the hill. It seems like the young love was just starting to flourish. I must have passed couples sitting on a bench eight times by now.

This part of the park was empty, except for a couple romantically strolling on the other end. My hands felt cold and placed them in my coat pocket, why did I forget the gloves? I stared at the park with the wooden gazebo sitting on top of the hill, placed right in the middle.

I like to come here because it's quiet and it's the closest park to my building. I took note of three squirrels running up a bare tree with just a few red leaves on it and sitting on a branch chewing on a chestnut. I quickly took out my phone and take pictures, and send them to Jada. Know all too well, that her gleaming face would be shining when she see these.

A few orange leaves that slowly fall in front of me made me smile. I felt the cold wind touching my face, making my body shiver all over. The sky that's dusted with soft pink clouds is turning gold as the sun starts to set, even though it's only five o'clock now in the afternoon. Then I climbed into the gazebo and sat at the table. It was the best view. I looked towards Paramount. The view looked great, but Paramount seemed distant as if it was forever out of reach.

The walk to see this amazing view of the city Paramount skyline was completely worth it. I saw the towers of buildings competing for their presence to be seen. The park doesn't have many trees. Unsurprisingly, it made it especially wonderful at sunset. In the summer, many of the park's lovers picnic on the hill past sunset to enjoy the sparking lights from the skyline of the buildings against the park's backdrop. In the autumn, it was much quieter and easier to breathe. I sat as I saw the evolving building come to life, sparkling glitters.

The sun hid behind the buildings now, and it was getting darker. I took a few more pictures while I had the chance, trying to get me in the view, and sending them to Jada. With my fingers sticking out it felt so cold I couldn't feel them anymore, I wonder if I should go home. I breathe warm air into my hands and stick them back into my pockets. I hop off the table and begin to walk home.

I was about to enter my apartment when I heard my phone chime. I unlock my door and entered my living room, while at the same time looking my phone. Jada was messaging me, replying with happy and cute emojis with the pictures I had taken. Then, the picture of me and Paramount in the background, she attached the job email link.

I stared at it, as I fold my foot underneath me and sat down. I placed my two hands on the phone staring at her message.

I sighed. 'I'm jobless either way', I said to myself.

I clicked it and attached my resume, and pressed send. I groaned as I did this and flung myself back embracing the couch. 'You're better, and things will be better.' I reminded myself.