Reassigned

From The Everywhere Girl Diaries – a work of fiction

First week of March, year one

Dear Diary,

I cannot believe what I did yesterday.  I was feeling a little restless so I decided to go for a walk.  I ended up on the street where I’d seen the weathergrams and where the shooter had stood when he put a hole through purple. It’s a nice street in a nice neighborhood – one of those neighborhoods full of old houses and young artists.

I was looking down to see if I could remember where I’d stuck my bubble gum and almost ran into a guy who was carrying a big box to his car.

After the initial embarrassed apologies on both our parts, I recognized him. It was Chad – the salesman from Butler’s!

Me (taking a deep breath):  I was just in Butler’s last weekend.  I asked for you, but they said you’d quit.

His response was a mumble, something about not really “quitting”.  He moved the box in his arms just slightly and that’s when I saw the rainbow tattoo on the inside of his wrist.

Me (taking another, this time deeper breath and trying to half laugh): What, did Spectrum fire you?

It was a long shot, but I figured if he didn’t know Spectrum, it would be no harm, no foul.  If he did, I just might get some information.

His eyes narrowed, and I thought maybe I’d made a mistake. Then his gaze traveled to the rainbow patch I’d sewn on my backpack last summer.

Him (rather cautiously): I wasn’t fired, – just reassigned, to Chicago.

The way he said reassigned and Chicago, I knew he wasn’t happy about it.

Me (wishing I had never started this conversation):  Yeah…  Spectrum, he can be hard to work for.

I started to move past him, but he stopped me.

Him: So, what does he have you doing?

Me (in total panic and trying to think of what I should say): Me?… What does Spectrum have me doing? Oh, he just has me keeping my eyes open.

And then, I scurried away.