Matt&Talk of Noodles

Girl number 335 was on the way out the door. She was moving a lot slower than I would have liked, but quicker than the one before. I grabbed a quick shower and granola bar and sighed a little for relief that the girl was gone by the time I was done my shower. Hopefully this Tuesday went faster than Monday. I felt like I wanted to rush this week but I couldn't figure out why.

I made it to the office by 6:30. Never had been that early. Usually, I arrive at 8. Thirty more minutes and people would start trickling in to start the day. I was checking on emails and munching on that not so delicious, organic granola bar. I heard a female voice in the distance.

"This gosh darn stupid hem on this skirt. I'm going to have to waddle like a duck just so I don't bust my butt."

She rounded the corner to her desk that she was shown yesterday before leaving. She hadn't realized I was already in the office. Her outfit is odd, but somehow it's becoming on her. She is not next top model gorgeous but beautiful in so many ways. She popped in my office to pick up the day's files that are always kept in a specific bin. Rita puts them there the afternoon before. She's glancing down, fidgeting with her outfit again and doesn't notice me. I've never had this problem before where women don't immediately acknowledge my presence.

I couldn't resist. "QUACK!"

Lily jumps and drops all the folders from her hands. She's bright red and all kinds of flustered.

"Mr. Bonner, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to walk into your office unannounced. I'm trying to follow the notes that Rita left for me until she arrives this morning. I'm going to assume you caught my monologue."

"You shouldn't worry about fashion around here. Job performance is all this company cares about."

"It's just that everyone around here looks like they walked off the pages of In Style magazine. My crummy attire is what I can scrunch together right now. I adore fashion, but it's price tags don't admire me back."

She was being very critical of herself and I was starting to feel empathy for a woman which hadn't happened in a long time.

"You sure you want to get into the field of art history? Maybe we'll be following the advice of Ms. Thomas on the next big clothing faux pax."

She chuckled with nervous energy.

"I'm going to get to it before Rita gives me my next marching orders."

"Lily?"

"Yeah?"

"Have a good day."

"Yep. You too."

Tuesday we had 3 conference calls, 2 in person meetings, and about 100 emails to sort through. It was a packed day. I had no time for lunch. By 5pm, Rita, Lily, and I were still plugging away.

Rita spoke up. "Boss, I need to get going. My daughter is apparently 3 centimeters dilated and she could have her baby anytime now."

"That's fine, Rita. Tell her best wishes and let me know about work tomorrow."

Lily offered, "I'll finish up Rita's work so she can take off."

I nodded, watched Rita leave, and left Lily to finish up the last emails.

About another half hour passes. I can't concentrate. My stomach is rumbling. Lily is humming to her Itunes and it's irking me.

"LILY?!!!"

"Oh, sorry boss. I didn't hear you."

"Are you almost done, boss?"

"Yes. Four emails and then it'll all be finished."

"It's 6:45pm. If you finish by 7, you can be on your way to Nadia."

"How do you know about Nadia?"

"Nadia is written on your Tuesday schedule, sir."

"Oh, right."

Just then, Lily's stomach let out a loud growl.

Looking in shock, "Did you hear that?"

"Yeah. It was kind of hard not to hear."

"Sorry. I worked through lunch today. Let me live vicariously through you, boss. What yummy restaurant are to going to this evening?"

"La Creme."

"I'm so jealous. I'll pretend my Ramen is a juicy steak from there."

"Lily, that's past ghetto." I said it jokingly before even thinking.

"Yep. That's me. Pathetic. I'm done now. Have a nice night." She quickly grabbed her bags and acts like she can't get out of there fast enough.

"Lily, - wait, I didn't mean it like that."

"Then why say it?"

She hurried out of the building. I felt a punch to my gut. I didn't usually care about how my words affected others. I usually meant what I said.