Cubicles - Chapter Six

Chapter Six


Fun.
I’m beginning to regret describing physical labor as fun. What was I thinking? I’ve been working nonstop and I see no progress with the lawn. Three hours, and I probably have four more hours to go.


“You can work inside when it gets too hot.” I mock Kale’s words under my breath. “It’s ninety degrees, if this isn’t hot, then what is?”

I need a distraction, I’m exhausted, and thirsty. My mind needs to focus on something else. And for some reason, it drifts off to my father and my brother. I was my father’s favorite, to put it bluntly. My brother had been ignored when I was born. I was spoiled, my father just gave me what I wanted, meanwhile my brother had to work for it. I think he made it his goal in life to outshine me – to just once know what a father’s love could feel like. Then dad died. And that was that. No e-mail’s, phone call’s, not even a birthday card. My mother however – treated us equally, automatically making her big brother’s favorite. My father gave him hard work and claimed walking all the way to the
grocery store (he didn’t have a license and dad had taken his bike from him for bad grades) at one-hundred degrees was nothing.

‘Parents had different parenting styles.’
That was what my teachers and friends parents had said with a sigh. My brother earned no sympathy.

And now, drenched in sweat and gasping for air, I wish I’d said something to my father. Maybe I could have changed things. Or maybe the heat is messing with my head.
“Hey,” I hear Kale call out from the doorway. “How about you come inside for some lemonade?”

I agree, of course, and rush into the tiny house with a fan cooling off the kitchen. Walking towards the tiny circular table only fit for two people, or maybe four small children, I sit down in a chair and wait.

I watch him pour the lemonade in my glass.
I hate lemons.
I hate lemonade.

“Tell me,” says Kale, setting the glass in front of me. “What job did you have before this?”

“I worked in a cubicle,” I reply before taking a gulp of the lemonade, shuddering as the sour taste floods my taste buds. “For a company called Evershine. Sold lamps, I took the customer complaints and wrote apology letters. Well, actually they were e-mails, but-.”

“What’s the company’s name?” Kale asks, tone suddenly serious and expression grim.

“Evershine.” I laugh nervously, trying to hide the fear that’s building up inside of me as a result to Kale’s expression. “Horrible name, I know. I don’t know what they were thinking. It sounds like a stuffed animal factory, or a kid show.”

I try to ignore the glare in Kale’s eyes, and am relieved once it fades as he stirs some sugar into his lemonade with a spoon. I can’t help but wonder why I was never offered any sugar for this horrible excuse of a drink.

“Tell me more, what’s your boss like?”

“My boss?” I tap my fingers on the table, trying to think of a polite way to describe the obese creature that’s constantly mocked behind his back. “He’s intimidating, cruel to his employees. I wouldn’t be surprised if-.”

“What’s his name?” There’s an edge to Kale’s voice, making me chew my lip a little, and take another sip of lemonade.

“Paul Cook, why?” I raise an eyebrow, this time not noticing how horrible the lemonade tastes.

This causes Kale to smile sadly, though he still doesn’t look at me, he’s staring off into the distance with a bit of an exaggerated dramatic effect added by the look on his face. “How’s his wife, Lucinda, doing?”

“The guy has a wife? She must be an idiot to marry someone like him!” These words cause Kale to glare death at me, and I now regret saying those words. “Sorry.” I say immediately.

“She wasn’t an idiot. I’ve loved her for years, and Paul just stole her from me. I’ve hated him since then, she was too good for him.” Sighing shakily, he looks over to me once more, he quickly brightens up, smiling at me. “Well, we’ve had a long day. Why don’t you just go home now, alright? I think I need some time alone right now.”

I nod, and stand up, an awkward feeling in the pit of my stomach. Placing the glass on the counter, I turn and leave the house, taking the time to look up at the sky. There are several dark clouds in the sky, menacing and huge, threatening to pour rain onto the road making this drive harder than it should be. Groaning with dissatisfaction as I climb into the car and I begin driving home.