Baby Makes Three

“Yes, I am.” She asked me my name and I assumed she was an assistant of some sort.

“You look nice.” She told me.

“Thank you, I am a little nervous.” I smiled. She waved me off.

“Don’t worry. They like to think they are all big and mean, but they really aren’t. Especially Jake.”

I smiled a bit.

“Thanks. I’ll try to relax.”

I waited a few more minutes, and then went in the bathroom nervously to check myself. I heard noises in a stall that sounded like crying. I never liked knowing people were upset about something. I thought it would take my mind off of my own mess of a life anyway.

I knocked on the stall gently, “Are you okay?”

The sniffled stopped, and then the stall opened. She looked so pretty, and well dressed in a suit. Why was she upset?

“I’m fine, thanks. Just an interview gone bad is all.”

She went over to the sink and washed her hands, then started fixing her makeup.

“With Collegium Corp?” I don’t know why I asked that.

“Yes, do you have one too?”

I nodded.

She shook her head. “It was a disaster. I thought my presentation was good. I know the idea was a little crazy but I was prepared. But one of them was a total asshole and got mad at me for not Googling them or something. It was awful. I ran out in tears! Oh no, are you going in too?”

I nodded slowly. Now terrified to even go. I glanced at my watch. Five minutes to go. Would I run out in tears too?

“Yeah, I do. I’m sorry it didn’t go well,” I said gently.

“It’s fine. I guess I will just have to go and work for my dad or something. I just wanted to make it on my own for once.” She shook her head sadly as she looked down.

Man, I really felt for her. I felt the same way. My parents were very supportive, and hard working. But if I didn’t get this job, I would have to move back home after graduation and I definitely didn’t want to do that.

“I know. I have to go, I’m sorry.” I smiled sadly at her and left.

One minute. I tapped my foot nervously, standing by the door. What if they hated me? I imagined they would. They were so mean to her, I didn’t do well with mean. Only because I didn’t take shit from people, and I didn’t like when people come for me without warrant. If they said something I didn’t like, I was afraid I would retort with something equally unfriendly.

Of course, I know how to hold my tongue. But still. No one likes being yelled at.

“You ready?” The woman from before asked. You’re asking me? I thought.

“Sure. Yes.” I reassured myself.

I had given presentations to hundreds of students before, this was just two men. What could go wrong?

“Go on in.”

I walked in to them having a conversation, but didn’t look at them. I headed straight for the podium. I wouldn’t look until I began, it would keep my nerves down. But I kept overhearing what they were saying.

“Okay, back to the club. We have a membership for a reason, and we never go.” The voice was deep, and ropey. Each word had its own harsh undertone, and drawl.

“Yeah, ‘cause we have been busy.” My back was to them, setting up the boards. The second voice was deep as well, but softer. The kind that could lull you to sleep.

I shuddered at the energy in the room, whoever they were. They were intense. I bent over to get my laptop out, and the talking ceased.