chapter 3 - 139

Days passed, yet Josie found herself near disappointed on her days off. She was used to working through pain and stress, being so busy she'd be lucky to have a moment to think about something enjoyable before she'd go straight back to the grind. The sudden whiplash of having so much free time was near paralyzing, this new potential for each day to unfold however she saw fit. Despite how much she wanted to, she refrained from swimming every day so as not to overdo it; the stupidest rookie mistake would be to go in a full 110 percent, tear a ligament, and have to wait weeks for recovery. Her body was slender and strong, the presence of muscle and tone was undeniable on that short frame, but it didn't mean she was invulnerable--recovery was just as important, even if she was bored out of her mind.

Training had been a breeze, of course, nothing out of the ordinary for her to handle. Josie found new joy in guessing what Vicky would eat off the counter next, a fallen cupcake or maybe a personally made white chocolate mocha she'd finish in a flash. While Josie wasn't too keen on Vicky's less than 'professional' etiquette when it came to food, she had to admire her; it wasn't often she met someone so happy and carefree. She could learn a lot from her, not with eating of course, but perhaps how to be more content with her slow days, how to fully enjoy life. It was for this reason she found they were becoming fast friends.

"Jo-Jo! Come here, will ya?" Vicky swiveled her chair between the back counter and the front, her face puffing her eyes shut with a smile. "Guess what today is?" She sure did like to make Josie guess.

"No, what—"

"It's Contract Day!" She threw her arms up in excitement, flab sinking slightly to her shoulders. "If you're happy here, and I hope you don't mind me saying but I think you are, you can go see Daniel and sign that contract!

How could she forget? Her trial period had flown by so quickly, she hadn't yet realized it was time. She was happy here, she could swim in the evenings, she could take a night off and even watch a movie if she wanted, things not afforded to her by her former-employer...wait, she still had her old job, but did she even want it? Sure, Vicky was a little eccentric, but she was a good person and a good new friend. Josie didn't know much about Daniel, but he was very hands off, allowing Vicky and her to run the shop day-to-day as they wished. Daniel's main concerns revolved on making the operation more efficient, and if it meant low/no stress for Josie, then she was content.

She was here to stay.

"Josie, just the woman I wanted to see." Daniel came out of the back door holding a stack of papers on a clipboard. "I overheard Vicky here talking about 'Contract Day', so I wanted to check in on you. Mind seeing me in the office?"

Josie obediently followed him to a chair in front of a desk she hadn't expected to be so organized. It was clear,, sans a pen and his clipboard that he pushed toward her. "We've talked about this a little bit, but I wanted to go over it again, if you indeed do want to stay.

"The contract is for one year. There are exceptions, like a death in the family or some major life change, I ain't unfair, but I want employees that'll stay with the business, employees that will...grow with it. Standards terms, wage, PTO, etc. etc."

Josie took the pen and flipped through. She could've sworn there was an extra page, but everything was there, black and white. Daniel had final say with the shop itself, but all in all.

A perfect job.

"Thank you for the opportunity, Daniel. I love this job and environment! I want to stick around for a long time." Josie leaned over and signed her name.

********

"Here you go, girl! Congratulations!" It was another end to a shift, and Vicky held a large chocolate frosted cupcake with one lit candle. It was so sweet, Josie never had anyone at any of her previous employers think of her enough for such a kind gesture. She tilted her head, grateful to have such a thoughtful new friend. But the calories...

"Thank you Vicky, but I can't—"

"Nonsense!" Vicky once again packed it up for Josie, this time with a full dozen of identical sweets. "You deserve it, you work hard, and you've been such a great fit."

Josie squeezed her own arm, combing for ways to get out of the situation. But what if she was right? Josie swam regularly, she was barely ever idle, what harm could come from just a little taste.

"I can't, I—mmmmm" Vicky pushed the cake into her mouth, Josie involuntarily moaning in response. The cake was dense, packed with chocolate and chips of melted goodness. The icing coated her lips, and she let out another moan, shocked by how much she was enjoying her treat. She kept her eyes closed, embarrassed to look upon Vicky as she briefly lost control of her senses.

Josie hadn’t felt this way in a decade.

"Oh!" She yanked the cupcake and plastic container, "I'm so sorry, how rude of me, Vicky. Thank you so much!" She gathered her bag, a bit frazzled as she tossed her hair back. "I'll see you tomorrow, you're the best!" Good, she didn't notice. A crisis averted.