Love You Always

“For now I’ll pay.”

“For now?” She sounds confused.

“Yes, for now.” I’m sure I can poke at my sister and get another debt stacked against me. That will be easy enough. The hard part will be waiting for my angel to call me again.

“Like the whole debt?” she half screams into my ear. It hurts but it’s bittersweet because I think I can get that sweet, sexy voice to scream louder. Only this time it will be filled with so much more pleasure. I’m not sure how I am going to get her under me to make that happen. One step at a time, I remind myself. First, I’ll make her day and pay off this debt and eventually I’ll make her mine. Baby steps.

4

Mia

I can barely contain my excitement as I hang up the phone with Mr. Kennedy. He kept telling me to call him Max during our conversation, but I wanted to make sure I kept it professional. I’d already given him random information about me that I shouldn’t have. I don’t know why he needed my last name and date of birth. It just popped right out of my mouth. I should probably work on that. He does have a very persuasive, sexy voice that had me wanting to give him whatever he asked for. I’m excited about what this collection means for me, but I can’t help but feel a little tiny bit of disappointment that I’ll never speak to him again. I shake myself out of those thoughts.

“Hit me,” Amelia says, holding her hand up high, waiting for my high five. I smack her hand. She starts to booty dance all around. Everyone turns to look at her but she doesn't give a crap. “That commission is going to be sick,” she says as she keeps on dancing. Mrs. Brenner comes out of her office, smiling and shaking her head before turning and going back in. Amelia never gets in trouble for anything. She’s the gold star around here. She kicks butt when it comes to getting people to pay their debt. No wonder she can just bust a move in the center of the office and no one thinks twice about it.

“Let’s rock this day because we’re going out tonight.” She dances back to her desk. I don’t want to think about the commission I am going to make on Mr. Kennedy because I still have work to get through for the day. I make my next call promising myself that I’ll be stern but I stumble over my words and fail again. Maggie from Oregon Falls is having a hard time. She’s taking care of her bedridden mother and has been unable to keep a steady job. My heart breaks for her. I move her name to the do not call list for a few weeks. That will give her a little time to catch up and get some of her things in order. She doesn't need us bothering her while she does it. She has enough on her plate. By the end of the day my high from the success of my first call is gone. Even if the man’s voice is still rattling around in my head, I still feel defeated. It is hard telling people about bills they owe and then listening to their sad stories. Each one chips away a little bit of my heart. I sigh, knowing that I won’t be able to do this for much longer. Sure, I’ll survive off the commission that I’m going to get from Mr. Kennedy’s case but he’s one in a million.

“You ready?” Amelia pops her head over the top of my cubicle. Something that I could never manage at my height. Even if I wore heels, I’d still struggle to see over it. Wearing heels is not something I do very often either.

“Kind of want a long bath and my pajamas,” I admit. Calling people all day may not seem stressful but their hardships wear on you, mentally exhausting you.

“Well, you don’t have a tub and it’s happy hour at Harpo’s. Half price drinks and apps. Suck it up, buttercup.” She comes around my desk and begins to pull my chair.

“Fine.” I reach under my desk, grabbing my bag before we head out. “You’re so pushy. No wonder you’re good at this job.”

“Damn right I am. You have to shut off those emotions. Follow my lead. I won’t steer you wrong.” She grabs my arm and we head out of the office. “I still can’t believe you got that collection. I’ve never seen one that big before. I’d think someone would sue over something like that. Not send it to a collection agency.” She reaches up, pulling her hair down from her blonde ponytail and giving it a fluff before pulling out her lipstick and putting on a fresh layer. Before I can do anything, which I wasn't going to anyway, she reaches for my ponytail and pulls it down. She doesn't hand me her lipstick but fishes out some lip gloss to give me, knowing I’ll never put the lipstick on. I reluctantly take it. It’s easier to just do it then put up a small battle of wills that she’ll end up winning. “It’s your lucky day. Know what I mean?” She winks at me.