The Green Ticket (20 page)

I threw the pills in my mouth and took a long drink, spilling water on me in the process. Wiping the water from my chin, I said, “No, that’s okay. I really need to get going. Thanks for offering though. I’ll try to be home as soon as I can.”

“We’ll all be here to help, remember! Don’t worry–– this date will go smoothly. No worries.” Lila gave me a quick hug, and I squeezed her back gratefully.

As I pulled into the Blissful parking lot, I decided to park around back. Sometimes I parked in the back to leave open spaces up front for the customers. I typically did this on weekends, when I knew we would be busier. I pulled around back and was driving slowly down the bumpy street when I noticed Kevin’s car up ahead, about three spaces down from the Blissful back door entrance. Did he make it to Blissful in time? Would I be able to go home and sleep off this hangover? I noticed someone in the car with him, and something told me to stop my car. I braked, and watched horrified as Kamille got out of the BMW. My eyes traveled to her beat-up blue Honda parked in front of Kevin’s snazzy ride. What the hell was going on here?

Without thinking, I grabbed my cell phone and flipped it open with shaking hands, tapping at the camera icon. Kamille walked around to the driver’s side and leaned down. Kevin’s face appeared out the window, and he gave Kamille a lingering kiss. My camera phone snapped pictures. Finally, Kamille pulled away, said a few words, then got in her car and drove off. Kevin did the same moments later.

I sat frozen in my car for a few minutes, staring at the incriminating evidence on my phone. I tried to piece everything together. Kamille had worked at Blissful last night. Did she leave her car here and go off with Kevin after her shift? Dani said on the phone that Kevin didn’t come home last night. Kamille called in this morning. My mind was on overload. I felt sick. Kamille and Kevin. Kevin and Kamille. Kevin was having an affair–– with Kamille?

With shaky legs, I managed to drive the few feet forward and park at the Blissful door. I shoved my phone back into my purse and made my way into the salon. I had to put on a happy face. So what if I was hungover? So what I just caught my boss cheating on my other boss with an employee? I had to pull it together and get through the day.

The afternoon passed quickly enough at Blissful. Allie had gotten the front desk ready to go for me by the time I walked in, which I was extremely grateful for considering the scene I had just witnessed. Allie, Mandy, Sophia, Courtney, and Jewel were on the books for the day. The schedules were pretty full, so walk-ins would be limited which was typical for a Saturday, but Allie and I still discussed calling in another stylist just in case we got even busier. She got a hold of Katie who agreed to come in around two. That would open up our availability and help get a few more appointments squeezed in.

I wasn’t able to work on any of my regular manager duties since I was the only one at the front desk. The phones remained constant and the stream of clients checking in and out helped the time pass quickly.

“Thank you for calling Blissful Salon and Spa. This is Alex, how may I help you?” I sang sweetly into the phone, at the same time smiling at the woman that just approached the counter from the salon. I could tell she had just been massaged by her smudged mascara, rumpled hair, and sleepy gaze. I held up a finger to let her know it would be just a minute.

“I would like a massage.” A gruff female voice came over the line. Definitely a smoker.

“Sure! When were you thinking of coming?” I pulled up the schedule, my pulse racing when another client walked in the door and stood behind the first lady. Shit. I hated getting backed up.

“I don’t know. When do you have?”

“Were you thinking today or tomorrow? Or someday next week?” I smiled at the new customer, a distinguished looking man probably in his thirties.

“Tomorrow is fine. Someone told me there are different types of massages. What does that mean?”

Sigh. I didn’t really want to explain everything with a line happening in front of me. “The basic types of massages are Swedish and deep tissue. The Swedish is focused more on relaxation as opposed to the deep tissue which is a firmer massage that focuses on target areas that you want addressed.”

“Hmm. Give me the deep tissue. I like firm!” the lady barked over the phone, then started hacking in my ear. It took all my willpower not to hold the phone away from me in disgust.

“Okay. Could you hold for me for a minute while I look up tomorrow’s schedule for you?” I asked, desperately wanting to address the clients in front of me.

“Yeah, sure. No mornings! I like to sleep in.”

“Sure thing. Please hold.” I jabbed the button on the receiver and set the phone down. “I’m sorry for the wait, ma’am. How was your massage?”

“Wonderful. Courtney does a terrific job,” she said, slipping a sparkling wedding ring back on her finger. “Can I reschedule with her in two weeks?”

“You sure can.” I ran through the schedule on one computer while ringing her up on the other. The phone beeped, reminding me I had someone on hold. I scrawled out an appointment card for Mrs. Klavandish and took her credit card receipt from her.

“Could you also make sure Courtney gets this?” she asked, handing me thirty dollars in cash. Jeepers, practically a fifty percent tip. Way to go, Courtney.

“I sure will. Thank you so much, Mrs. Klavandish. Stay warm out there!” With a wave and smile, she was out the door. “I’ll be right with you, sir. I’m just going to finish up this phone call,” I said, flashing him an apologetic smile.

“No problem. I’m actually waiting for someone anyway,” he said, smiling back at me. He removed his heavy coat, showing off his pressed white shirt underneath with a bright red tie. Just coming from work possibly? Or maybe just a man that always dresses nice?

I turned my focus away from him and hastily pulled up Sunday’s schedule. “Thank you so much for holding, ma’am. I have an opening tomorrow at three o’clock with Shawna. She specializes in deep tissue massage. Would that work for you?”

I typed in the woman’s name, phone number and address into Shawna’s three o’clock time, pressed save and ended the call. By the time I was putting the phone back in the cradle, a woman had joined Mr. Suit and Tie in the salon. She looked to be in her twenties, with platinum hair and big blue eyes. She took off her coat to reveal a slinky blue dress, patterned tights, and stiletto heels. Her boobs were way too big for her petite body–– silicone I was sure–– and her waist was practically non-existent. I didn’t know what to think of the couple.

“I can help you now. Thank you for your patience,” I said to them both, even though the man was really the only one waiting.

“We‘re checking in for a couple’s massage. Marcus Baylor and Tamara Schmidt,” the man said, putting his arm around Tamara’s tiny waist. She smiled up at him, her eyes sparkling. So they weren’t husband and wife. Maybe today was a special day, explaining the outfits. Maybe it started with a romantic brunch of strawberries and champagne, followed by a couple’s massage, then a romantic dinner and a proposal tonight! I loved making stories up in my head about the clients that came to Blissful.

“Okay, I have you both checked in. If you can just fill out this form for me, I’ll let Allie and Courtney know you are here.” I handed them each a clipboard with a pen attached, and they took a seat in the corner and started writing, Tamara practically in Marcus’s lap. An engagement was coming, I just knew it. How exciting for the two!

While they finished their paperwork, I hit the check-in button on the computer, alerting the therapists in the back that the clients were here. By the time Marcus and Tamara came back up with their clipboards, Allie and Courtney were approaching the front.

I was exhausted by the time Julia came in at two o’clock, and the Ibuprofen was beginning to wear off. My hangover was insistent on clawing its way back, making me feel sluggish and starving for a greasy cheeseburger. I tried to wait until Dani arrived before I went to get myself some lunch. I had told her not to rush when we were texting, but if she could be there around three that would be best. I felt bad making her change her plans, but I didn’t think it was fair for me to destroy my day either. By 3:30, still no Dani. From her messages I thought she should be there shortly, but decided it was best to eat. I didn’t want to wait any longer for fear I would a) throw up on the salon floor or b) not be hungry when I got to Bellini’s.

“Hey, Julia, do you think you’ll be okay for a few minutes?” I approached the desk with coat and hat on, purse in hand. “I haven’t eaten yet today and really need to feed my stomach.”

“I’ll be fine. Don’t worry!” she answered in her soft voice, pushing a blonde curl away from her face.  I knew that Julia actually preferred to work alone, and the girl could upsell better than myself. I assured myself she would be fine, and I would be gone for no more than ten minutes.

“Okay, I’ll be right back then. I have my cell phone on me if you need me. Do you want anything?” After she declined, I raced out the door and over to my Camry. I made it back to Blissful in seven minutes flat. Opening the salon door, I saw Dani at the desk with Julia. Finally! I could get home now.

“Hi, guys!” I said, feeling my spirits lift at both the thought of eating and being able to get home.

“Hi, Alex. How are you today, sweetie?” Dani said, giving me a warm smile.

“Good. It’s been a busy day. We called Katie in about two hours ago to help clear us for walk-ins. I just went to grab myself some lunch,” I said, feeling as though I needed to explain my absence. I held up the bag as proof.

“Terrific. Sales look great today.  Thank you so much again for coming in. You were a real life-saver. You can head into the office to eat quick if you would like. Kevin’s back there,” Dani said, her eyes seeming to darken for a quick moment when she said her husband’s name.

“Okay. I’ll probably take off after that then. If that’s okay, I mean,” I tacked on. Dani was planning on staying until close, right? Please let her stay.

“Yes, that’s fine. Kevin and I will be here the rest of the night. Thanks again for covering today. I really can’t tell you how much I appreciate it.”

“Sure. I just want to get home quick because I have that second date I was telling you about.” I grinned at Dani, unable to hide my excitement about seeing Henry again. 

“I totally forgot this was your date night! Oh, honey, please eat quick and get up out of here. Do you want anyone to do your hair or makeup here? Free of charge of course. I’ll cover it for you.”

“No, no, that’s okay. But thank you. My friends are planning on helping me, so I should be good.”

“Okay. Well, I hope you have a fabulous time with Henry. Henry, correct? I’m so excited for you. I’ll want details!”

I grinned at my boss, feeling the stress of the day slowly melt away. I really did like Dani. So what there had been a mistake today? It wasn’t her fault. It was her bastard husband’s.

“Thanks, I’ll make sure I tell you everything.  Have a good rest of the night!” I headed back to the office clutching my bag of food. I was so ready to devour my burger and fries. I was starting to feel light-headed from the lack of food. Like Dani said, Kevin was at the desk, typing away at the keyboard. I smirked when I saw him typing, one finger at a time jabbing the keys. For such a smart businessman, you’d think he would learn the proper way to type.

“Alex. You’re here,” he said, turning to face me. I didn’t like his tone of voice. Sarcastic maybe. Condescending even.

“Yep. Went to get myself some lunch,” I said, once again holding the bag out as proof.

“I thought I went over this with you already. We want a manager here at all times.”

Before I could stop it, my mouth dropped open. Was he kidding? “Um, I’ve been here all day. I literally was gone for seven minutes to get myself some lunch,” I said, my hand beginning to shake.

Kevin shook his head, looking down at his phone. “Julia isn’t trained enough to be left here by herself. What if something had happened and she couldn’t fix it? The whole salon would have looked bad.”

My anger was to a boiling point. I had come in on my day off, worked my ass off, filled in for
him,
who couldn’t bother to call anyone including his wife to say he couldn’t come in, and now I was getting reprimanded for getting myself
food?
For having lunch at four o’clock instead of a decent lunch hour? “Kevin, I’m sorry, but I haven’t eaten yet today. I had to have some food or I would have literally fainted at the desk. I was called in this morning, on my day off, to fill in.” I wanted to say
for your sorry ass,
but I wasn’t feeling bold enough. “I’m not sure what I could have done differently in this situation. I rushed here this morning to try to open on time so I couldn’t get breakfast or lunch to pick up. I had to eat at some point.” I was surprised at how level my voice was coming out. I wanted to scream at him. How could I not be granted a lunch break?

“Next time, get something delivered. Or have one of the employees get it for you,” Kevin snapped back at me. His phone started ringing at that moment. “I have to take this. This Kevin,” he hollered into the phone, storming out of the office.

I stood there, stunned. So I couldn’t take a lunch break. I wonder if that was noted anywhere in the employee handbook. Or if the other employees were aware that I could force them to go get me food. Like I would ever ask anyone to do that. I ate my lunch without really tasting it, wanting to cry. I was bone-tired, furious, and really needed to turn my mood around. I couldn’t be snapping at Henry and taking my frustrations out on him. I needed to get out of this place. This soul-sucking, happiness-draining chamber called Blissful. What a joke.

I threw my fast food bag away and bundled myself up. Grabbing my purse, I opened the office door and started to walk down the hallway. As I passed the spa area, I could hear low voices coming from one of the rooms. I paused outside room number one, Allie’s main room. I could definitely make out Kevin’s low rumble and then Allie’s high-pitched laugh. I wondered what they could be discussing. I hoped it wasn’t me. Kevin wouldn’t talk shit about his own manager to another employee though–– would he? I hoped not. But after what I had seen today, I knew not to trust Kevin.