Byline chapter 14

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Copyright © 2021 Peregrine
All rights reserved.
Disclaimer:
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

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Abbey, Gil, Dave and I had our double date. Dave and I had a good time together. I didn’t feel the need to tell Dave I’m a guy. We both knew this was not going to go anywhere. We parted as friends and didn’t date again.

My time at the diner was almost finished. I had worked at the diner for about 2 and a half months. I had been sent on a few interviews during that time.

While I was getting ready for the interviews, Abbey’s words about using any advantage I could came back to me. I had been doing some online research. I found the trait society values most for women is attractiveness. I found it to be true for getting tips. I used it to get the waitress job and was going to use it to attempt to get a new job. Along with a short dress and heels, I was attempting to look as attractive as possible.

While not super short, my dress was about 4 inches above the knee. My makeup was not overdone and looked natural. If society was going to require a woman to look attractive to get a job, I was going to look my best. After all, what was my alternative?

I could choose little or no makeup. I could wear a simple dress or a pantsuit that would be appropriate for an interview. A pair of flats would work instead of heels. I could throw out everything society expected of women. If I did, I’m certain someone else would get the job. I didn’t need the job but if I did, I’d be throwing away any chance I had of getting the job.

One interview was for a receptionist at an advertising firm. During the interview I was told the receptionist would be the first face clients would see. I had been told a clean professional appearance was necessary. The dress code was a dress or skirt suit and heels. Friday’s were casual so I could wear a pantsuit and heels if I wanted. I made a good impression. It wasn’t long before I heard back from them. It was nice going back to a 9 to 5 job.

My first day at my new job had me dressing appropriately for greeting clients. I had a bit more makeup than I did at the diner. My nails had been done on the weekend and were no longer red. I really needed a change. I still had my curly hairstyle. I wore a slate gray three-quarter sleeve peplum dress along with three-inch black pumps. I soon found out there was a lot of standing in this job. I stood almost all shift at the diner. At least I was wearing non-slip flat shoes there. Here I was standing a good portion of the day in 3-inch heels.

I was manning the desk with Hannah Moore. Hannah was a pleasant woman around my age and was eager to show me the ropes. Hannah was, in her words, “a struggling artist”. Her black hair was poker-straight in contrast to my curly hair. Compared to me she was tall standing about 5’9“, almost 6’ with heels. As I got to know her, I found it funny that she could be an exciting creative person. She also had moments she where was dull and moody.

Our job was simple: be the first face everyone sees as they come into the office. Greet the clients and ask who they were here to see. Contact the manager to inform them their client was here. Escort the client to the appropriate meeting room. When everyone was seated we would ask if anyone would like coffee, tea or water. We would bring the drinks back to the meeting room. At times, it was like being in the diner again. We would also take phone calls and direct the call to the proper department. We also handled some scheduling. My major complaint was there was no chair for me or Hannah to sit on.

I noticed, quite soon, that all the women in the office wore either a dressy skirt and top or a dress. They would pair the outfit with heels. varying in height from 3 to 5 inches. At the desk, our dress or top was covered by the company blazer we both wore. The guys were a different story. I never saw a male partner outside of his office without a suit coat. Male managers always wore their suit coats in meetings. They were frequently seen in the building without suit coats or ties. Female managers all wore business skirt suits and heels. The mail clerks, if they were male, wore polo shirts and khaki pants and, most often, sneakers. If the mail clerk was a woman, she wore a skirt and top and heels. Here was another example of women having to be attractive.

~~0~~

There were times I needed to talk with someone other than Abbey or mom. Those times I thought of Amy. While working at the diner, I had not been able to go out with the gang. I contacted her and we agreed to meet at a Saladworks close to her job. I was wearing a navy blue top with ruffled cap sleeves and crochet flowers on the collar. A matching skirt and a 3/4 knot sleeve blazer had completed my work look. As per company policy, I was wearing nude 3-inch pumps. I was probably overdressed for going to Saladworks. After quitting time, I freshened my makeup put my crossbody bag in place and headed to meet her. As I walked out, I wondered if Saladworks had anything other than salads.

I met Amy outside the store. We walked in and ordered. I decided on a chicken Caesar salad and diet cola. We got our food and found a table.

"Thanks for having dinner with me," I said.

“I’m still trying to get used to you dressing like that,” she said. “Nice outfit.”

“Thanks,” I said. “Me too.” I smiled

“How’s the writing going?”

"Struggling with that a bit. That’s not what I wanted to talk to you about.”

“Okay,” she said

“I went out on a date.”

“You what? Wait, I have to hear about this.”

I told her about meeting the twins, and my discussion with Dave.

“Sounds like you dodged a bullet. With the way you look though, I'm surprised the guys aren't all over you."

"Oh, they are. I've been telling them I have a boyfriend. That seems to work."

"What are you doing that for?"

"I'm not sure I want to go out with a guy if he doesn’t know I’m a guy. I don't want to string someone along."

"So tell them and go out and have some fun."

"You sound like my mother. She says I should tell them also. I wish it were that easy."

"Look, you tell a guy you’re a guy. If it bothers him, he leaves, if not, have fun.”

"You make it sound so simple."

"I think you complicate things. Guys are visual. The way you look, I don’t think they will care.”

~~0~~

I had been at the ad agency for about 3 weeks. It had been a particularly tiring day. I couldn’t wait for 5 o’clock to come so I could go home and put my slippers on.

“Any plans for tonight Casey?” Hannah asked as she saw me looking at the clock.

“Not tonight. I can’t wait to get home and put my feet up.”

“I know what you mean. I’m going to get home, order a pizza and watch Twilight. It’s one of my favorite movies.”

“One of mine too!” I said a bit too enthusiastically. In truth, I did like the movie. Abbey loved the series, the books and the movies. I had watched it with her when she got the movie.

“Hey, I have an idea. Why don’t you come over tonight? We can watch it together. While we’re waiting for the pizza, I’ll show you some of my drawings and paintings.”

This was the first time since my assignment started that I had been asked to do something with a woman. Abbey, Amy and Jo don’t count.

“Sure, that sounds like fun.”

Shortly after five, Hannah and I were taking the short El ride to her apartment. She opened the door, putting her bag down on the table by the door. “Make yourself at home,” she said. “I’ll get the menu off the fridge. The bathroom is to the right if you need it.”

I settled into the nearest chair. “You have a very nice apartment,” I said.

“Thanks. It’s not much but it’s home for now. Once my paintings start selling, I’ll move to something nicer.” She handed me the menu. “I like pepperoni pizza. We can order another pizza if you want something else.“

“Pepperoni is fine,” I said as I handed her back the menu. “Would you order a vanilla milkshake for me please?”

“Sure no problem.”

Hannah got out her phone and dialed the number. “I’m going to use the restroom,” I said.

I got back to find Hannah getting things ready on her TV. Her flat-screen TV had a 43-inch screen. “How about you show me these paintings of yours?”

“Oh, sure.” I followed Hannah to a small bedroom. There must have been 15 paintings leaning up against the wall. In the middle of the room stood an easel with cloth covering a canvas. She brought me over to the far corner of the room. “These are my most recent paintings.” I looked at them listening to Hannah explain why she painted what she did. They were very good.

“These are really good,” I said. “You’re going to be famous real soon.”

“That would be fine by me.” She smiled. “Let me get my sketchbook. We can look through it while we wait for the pizza.”

Back on the couch, Hannah and I paged through her drawings. She was talented. “Have you ever shown your work to the head of the art department?”

“At work? No.”

“You really should. These are as good or better than some of the work I’ve seen coming from there.”

“You think so? You're not just saying that, are you?” She was holding the book on her lap when the door buzzer rang. Hearing it was the pizza delivery guy, she buzzed him in.

“Stay there,” I said. “I’ve got this.”

“You don’t have to. I invited you.”

“I know. I want to. It’s thanking you for showing me what I need to know at work and showing me your artwork.”

I got to the door in time to hear the knocking. I paid the bill adding a nice tip. I put the pizza on the table. Found my milkshake and the diet soda Hannah had ordered. I handed her the soda and took a sip of my shake. Hannah opened the pizza box as I handed Hannah a plate. With food and drink in hand, we settled back on opposite ends of the couch. We had our legs curled up under us as we watched the movie.

Hannah had her sketchbook with her during the movie. I could hear the charcoal pencil as it went across the page. I wondered what she was doing. Inspiration must have hit her. When the movie was over, she put her book down.

“Would you like a cup of coffee before
you go?”

“Sure, do you have de-caf?”

“Yep, it’s all I drink after seven.”

She came back with the coffee. “Did you hear about Kaylee?”

“No, what happened?”

“She wore flats to work the other day. They sent her home without pay.”

“You’re kidding.”

“No. They told her if she violates another work rule she’ll be discharged.”

“They’re going to fire her for not wearing heels? Is that legal?”

“All I can tell you is she needs the job. If wearing heels will let her keep the job, she’ll do it.”

We finished our coffee and I got ready to go. “This was fun. We should do this again sometime,” I said. “Hannah, have you ever thought about having an exhibit?”

“For my paintings? Sure. It’s been a dream of mine. I even have the venue picked out.”

“You do, where?”

“A nice place on Rittenhouse Square. It’s a great location. I need to scrape up enough money first.”

“Maybe you can show me the place. I’d like to see it.” I got my things and headed to the door. “See you tomorrow.”

“Oh Casey, wait.” She went to her sketchbook and tore out a page. “This is for you.”

I looked at the page. Hannah had drawn a scene from the movie. Instead of the actress, she had drawn me into the scene. “Hannah, this is fantastic. You did this during the movie? Thank you.” We hugged.

“I’m glad you like it. See you tomorrow.”

Outside, I flagged down a cab. I really enjoyed myself tonight. It was the first time I felt like I belonged on this alien planet of womanhood. I felt a bond between us. It was not like a male-female bond. It was more like a sisterhood bond. I wasn’t sure I should feel this way. But it felt good.

While on the ride home, I thought about what Hannah had said about having an exhibit. I’m sure Hannah is wasting her time at the reception desk. Then there was the Kaylee situation. I didn’t think it was fair that they could send her home or fire her for not wearing heels. I smiled to myself as I remembered there’s power in the pen.

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Thanks for reading. Comments welcome.

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Cover picture Credits
Photo by Daria Sannikova from Pexels
Photo by Valeriia Miller from Pexels
Photo Composite by Peregrine

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