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I lay there, stiff and unsure, my heart beating at a quick, steady rhythm. Minutes track by, though I’m not sure how many. Thomas’s heat sinks into me as I sink further into the plush bed, Mary’s open-mouthed breathing and Mike’s purring snores harmonizing into an interesting lullaby.
Eyelids heavy, I can’t help but close them, wondering how I can be so anxious and so relaxed at the same time.
* * *
‘Morning, Mrs Moore.’ Raymond, the ever-present floor manager, bows in my direction.
I turn thinking I’ll find Emily behind me even though I know she’s at Thomas’s house listening intently to Mary’s instructions on how to fold the best paper airplanes.
When I don’t see her, I realize Raymond is addressing me.
‘Oh.’ I laugh awkwardly. ‘Right, uh, good morning.’
‘Congratulations on your recent nuptials.’ Raymond is the only man I know who’s more stoic than Thomas.
A few employees enter behind me, glance my way and do a double take. It seems Raymond isn’t the only one who knows about my new last name. Straightening my shoulders, I smile. ‘Thank you, Raymond.’
Even though I might not have a real family, I’ve felt especially lucky these past ten years to have the best work family I could hope for. Even now, with everyone looking, he’s giving me his stamp of approval before anyone else can make a comment. And most people know better than to go against Raymond.
He nods and I move on, my new shoes clicking across the marble. Not for the first time since I rushed around getting dressed this morning, I second-guess my decision to wear them.
Because while I went to bed last night devoid of anger, I was once again annoyed when I awoke. I pass the Louis Vuitton handbags and curve left down the path toward the shoe department, my feet moving a little quicker.
Thomas left for work without me.
No explanation. No note or text. Just got up and left leaving Mary to explain to me over French toast that she’d had a bad dream. Thomas must’ve moved me into to the bed then as that’s the only thing that makes sense.
I’m annoyed for two reasons. One, because as the queen of avoidance, it’s extremely aggravating to have the tables turned. And two, with everyone knowing about our marriage and with George and Susan returning to work today, it would’ve been nice to get our stories straight.
Susan and George will have gotten home yesterday from Vegas. Which means it’s their first day back at work. Meaning Thomas and I need to have a chat about what he wants to say and how he wants to act at work.
And then there was the phone call I made to the police station, asking about an update on finding Kayla. ‘Nothing to report.’
I slide between two racks, cutting the corner into the shoe department, nearly toppling over a rack of Dooney & Bourke’s with my backpack – the only thing I’m wearing that’s actually mine. My work tablet and camera are upstairs in my office, but my notes are still stuck on the shoe inventory room’s shelves.
I’ll grab them and head upstairs to Thomas’s office. I glance at my phone, checking the time. There should be just enough to grab a coffee from the break room on the way to—
‘No wonder Alice was promoted.’
My slick new soles slide to a stop behind a pillar.
‘Sleeping with the boss?’ the familiar voice continues. ‘Who would’ve thought she had it in her?’
Peeking around the corner, I’m disappointed to find the familiar voice belongs to Clarissa, my old co-worker. A woman I shared countless lunch hours with.
I knew this was coming – the gossip. But hearing it first-hand from someone I thought was my friend reminds me of fifth grade, when I overheard the little boy from the family fostering me tell his friend I kept trash in my room, even though he knew full well that the black bag I hauled to each new home acted as my suitcase.
‘I know, right?’ The woman Clarissa’s talking to, whom I don’t recognize, scoffs. ‘I always thought Alice was a nice girl, but I guess it was all an act.’
‘And you know it can’t be a coincidence that the Facebook Group got shut down after everyone started posting about their marriage.’
‘And now a new employee handbook?’ Clarissa scoffs.
I hadn’t thought much of it, but now, with Clarissa’s snide voice in my ear, the email from Human Resources I read on the car ride here takes on a whole new light.
That was Thomas?
My phone still in my hand chimes with an email notification. The women look over, finding me within hearing distance. Their expressions would be hilarious if I was in a mood to laugh.
