32. Im Just the Candy

I'm Just the Candy

Hadley's first week at Placers was coming to an end. She quickly noticed a difference between the days when Mary was in office and the days spent with Meghan. Meghan had a bubbly energy and made constant efforts to connect with Hadley whereas Mary sat with tension stored between her broad shoulders and a permanent frown on her face. She paid little attention to Hadley and barely lifted her head when handed a client packet.

At 12 o'clock, Hadley opened up her brown paper lunch bag and pulled out a plain bologna sandwich. She began to eat her lunch quietly but when she realized Mary was also staying in-office, she decided to try to find a connection. "So," Hadley began, waiting for Mary's attention before she continued. "I remember you said you've been here for ten years, right? What made you want to work at an employment agency?"

"Twelve actually. I don't think anyone wants to work at an employment agency. I mean, good for you if this is your dream. For me, it's a paycheck. Kids are expensive and while Carl makes decent money, we always seem to need more."

Hadley finished chewing before she responded. "Oh, yeah. I guess that makes sense. Same here, to be honest. This job pays for my apartment and for this delicious bologna," Hadley laughed. Mary nodded before returning her focus to the open Cosmopolitan magazine on her desk. Ohh-kay then. "Um, so what are your kids' names? You have two, right?"

"Yep. Patrick and Sarah. Pat is sixteen and Sarah is twelve. Turning the big thirteen in a few weeks so it's been party planning central in my house. She has a vision," Mary said with a playful eye roll.

"That sounds fun. Thirteen is when I lost my mom. She was pretty sick on my birthday, so we just had delivery lunch to celebrate. Never really celebrated my birthday much after that, it was never the same. Anyway, uh, I hope your daughter appreciates what she has."

Mary's face softened. "I'm sorry to hear about your mom. What a hard age to lose her. Not like there's ever an easy age."

"Yeah. Anyway, I'm sorry for oversharing, I don't normally do that. I'll stop chatting your ear off and let you enjoy your meatballs." Mary smiled at Hadley before she refocused begrudgingly on the magazine's cover feature, What Wives Can Learn From The Other Woman.

The rest of the day moved slowly. Any efforts to make small talk were abandoned so the pair sat quietly. Hadley worked on a crossword puzzle between clients while she wondered when she'd hear from Dorothy. She asked the woman who manned the front desk at her apartment building, Hazel, every day if she had any missed calls or messages. Hazel never had anything to say except to go buy a cellphone.

After forty-five minutes of silence, the bells sounded. "Hi, welcome to Placers Staffing," Hadley said with a smile.

"Damn. They're putting the candy on display to get people through the door, now?"

Hadley broke eye contact with the man in front of her. She understood she was the candy in the sentence but couldn't fathom how someone could speak so boldly to a total stranger.

"Oh, you don't gotta get quiet on me, sweetheart. Was justa joke."

Hadley's eyes flicked to Mary who remained consumed by the file in front of her. Up until now, Meghan had been working whenever Hadley received an unsettling comment. She always jumped out of her seat to shut it down. Hadley was confident Mary could hear from her nearby desk but she either thought Hadley could handle it herself, or she didn't care. Hadley cleared her throat and looked back to the man behind the window. "Are you a new client or a repeat?"

"I'm sure you'd remember me if I was a repeat. I'm new, sweetheart."

"You can call me Hadley. Here, fill out this application." She shoved the clipboard through the window.

"Pretty name for a pretty girl," the man grinned.

"You can have a seat while you fill that out." Hadley turned her chair around and ignored the whistle the man made before he walked toward the chairs. She looked over again at Mary, who was still staring at paperwork. Unsure what to do, she stared at her desk and allowed herself to unravel just the slightest bit. It's okay, you're okay. It's just words. You're used to rude words. Hadley worked on maintaining a steady inhale and exhale without drawing attention to herself. She knew if she started holding her breath, she would have a hard time releasing so instead she closed her eyes, counted to four, and exhaled, then counted to four again while she inhaled. One, two, three, four, exhale. Again.

"Sugar?" a raspy voice sounded behind her. She focused on her folded hands and didn't turn around. "Oh fine." He tried again, this time singing her name for her attention. She knew she couldn't ignore the clients; it was her job to interact with and welcome them so after one last exhale, she slowly turned her chair back toward the window. "Are you done with your packet?"

"Sure am."

"Okay, I need to make a copy of your license. I'll take it with your app and then Mary will be ready to see you in just a few minutes."

"Mary? I'd rather come back there and talk to you." The man had piercing blue eyes that should be attractive but instead bore through her.He had overgrown sandy hair and a healing cut along his left cheek. He was of an average height and weight, but hunched slightly in place and his yellow teeth were spaced sporadically and created an off putting smile.

"No such luck. Mary does the interviews. I'm just the candy, remember?"

"Ooo, a little sour with that sweet. Fine, I guess Mary will do." The man handed over his clipboard and driver's license before returning to his chair. He slouched in the seat, his legs shaking with impatience as his eyes remained fixed on Hadley through the window.

"Did you just call yourself candy to that man?" Mary frowned.

"Yes, I'm sorry. That's what he called me when he walked in. I think it was a cheap attempt at flirting. I was just trying to disarm him."

"Oh, I see." The scowl on Mary's face dissolved. "Men. Okay, give it a minute and call him back." Hadley nodded and returned to her desk. She counted to sixty before she turned around to face the window. His eyes were already on her when she did.

"Peter, you can come back." She opened the door for him, using it as a shield as he walked through toward Mary's desk.

"You sure I can't interview with the princess instead?"

"No, sir. One more comment like that and you'll be sure to stay unemployed. Am I clear?"

Peter leaned back in the chair and rolled his eyes. He looked over to Hadley and winked before conceding. "Yes, ma'am. On my best behavior."

"We'll see about that. Now let's take a look at this application, shall we?"