“Your position here is basically as any new assistant. You’ll be working under the Executive Editor, Kade Allister. If you have any questions, see him. Of course I’m more than willing to help you, as your friend, I want to see you on board as quickly as possible,” Roger explains while leaning against my desk.

He looks at my picture frame and tucks his lips in a flat smile while crossing his arms. I think he’s going to ask about Harry but he doesn’t.

“I think it’s time to give you a tour.”

Spinning up from my chair, I shadow Roger. Right across my space is Kade’s office and to the left down the hallway is a medium conference room with Roger’s office is at the end. To the right are the restrooms, close to the quaint waiting area by the front desk. It’s cute and modern with white furniture, red and grey pillows, plus stainless steel accents.

Back at my desk, Roger leaves a few issues to get better acquainted with the magazine. He also warns me, jokingly, that it’s not him but Kade whom I need to impress. This light comment doesn’t settle well with me as I don’t know the first thing about this guy, but I’m waiting on him for further instructions.

Observing the setup, all desks are lined up against the walls. The one to my left, exposed to the hallway, has two large monitor screens and post it notes around the shelf borders. There’s headline clippings taped beneath with a picture of a cute brunette.

Behind me, the desk by the window appears empty while the other has a Keurig and cupboard above it. In the space between sits a copy machine, petite fridge and tall water dispenser. The main furniture pieces are ivory and steel, minus the cement blue carpet, black chairs and screens. This must be the lounging office where they sit back with a cup of coffee and brainstorm ideas.

I’m consumed by the pages, studying as though I were preparing for a pop quiz. There’s a little bit of everything in this magazine; some rare fashion trends, business, attractions, movie recommendations, music and what not to miss that month. For not knowing much about the city, I feel more familiarized with her personality thanks to the information in my hands.

Their approach is comical and inviting, as though they’re reaching out to the tourists and new residents, instead of dazzling them with the Big Apple glamour. This magazine is your key to the inner circle, with witty comments making me laugh sporadically, convincing me that I’m at the right place.

“Hey, Jude! Ready to grab some lunch?” Roger asks.

I nod eagerly and grab my purse. Liv smiles when we pass by and I wonder if she gets a break too. We march down to Starbucks where I spot Linda heading towards us in the opposite direction. We made it just in time.

“Hi,” Roger smiles before giving Linda a quick peck on the lips.

“I was almost held up at the office,” Linda shakes her head in disbelief. “Where would you like to eat, Jude?”

“It’s my treat,” Roger adds.

“I don’t know guys, you know this area better than I do.”

“There’s a good Italian place just down the street,” Linda points behind her.

We agree, parading down the sidewalk and I smile at the sight of Linda and Roger holding hands. They’re so good for each other, I can’t help feel proud I had a big part in that. I’m also relieved Roger won’t be working that close with me, thinking he purposed it that way. I hope to meet the rest of the team but I’m in no rush to meet Mr. Allister. I shouldn’t let that get to me and yet it toys with my confidence.

I call my mother on the way back to the office and stay outside the building, pacing over the cracks like a tightrope. Once I return, Roger asks me to replace Liv while she takes her late lunch. There’s a note on how to answer calls and which extensions to send them to, or voicemail inboxes.

I’m practicing my phone greeting when I hear someone else talking from a distance. The door swings open and a man strolls in on his cell phone, he glances my way but doesn’t stop. Another guy comes in shortly but he smiles and says hello. They disappear, not bothering to know who I am. All I remember are the first one’s icy blue eyes and beard and the second guy’s ginger hair.

Liv returns and I retreat to my desk noticing the redhead sitting before the two computers. There’s a folder on my desk with magazine and news paper clippings; several papers are typed lists of locations and upcoming concerts. I’m trying to tie it all together but I don’t want to assume the best.

“Hi, I’m Chase, are you the new intern?” he asks, turning his chair.

“Yes, I’m Jude.”

We get up to shake hands and resume our seats; our chit-chat is brief. He’s friendly and married, which makes my work environment seem more . . . stable. He gets up to take a phone call away from his desk and moments later I see a door open from my peripheral. Beard man comes out and detours.

“Hey, yuh must be Jude, right?” His Boston accent is thicker than his facial hair.

About to answer, I double take at his kind smile, expecting a rougher exterior.

“Yes, and you’re my boss?”

“Shh naaaah,” he raises his hands likes he’s being held at gunpoint. “We doan use that word round here. It’s a collective effort, we’re all team playahs. I’m just gonna coach yuh till yuh get yuh feet wet and yuh take it from there.”

He’s quite the opposite of what I envisioned.

“Roger made it seem like you were hard to please.”

“I trust him and who he associates himself with. If he believes in yuh than I will to. . . Where my mannahs? I’m Kade.” He reaches for my hand as well. “Sorry bout earliah, I was on an important call. I can’t imagine yuh have any questions?” He rubs his hands.

I scratch my head and process which to ask first. Grabbing a chair, he rolls it over for the interview.

“First, I would like to know my job requirements and . . . this folder?”

“Ah yes, we’ll get to that in a minute. . .”

Gliding his chair closer to my computer, Kade explains what emails I’ll be sending to who on what days and times. He also informs me to keep my inbox open at all times for that’s how they communicate around the office when they’re too lazy to get up. I chuckle at the thought and he shares a funny story about how bad it gets around here with everyone’s head stuck in the blackhole of their screen.

Kade teaches me the tricks to the copy/fax machine and where they keep the extra supply of chai and hazelnut Keurig cups. I’m guessing those are his favorites. He even shows me his office and his articles featured in the New York Times and Rolling Stones. After he asks me to fetch the folder off my desk, I come to learn what my real role here is, or soon will be.

My eyes are glistening with the news. I didn’t assume half as much. I’m desperate to share this with Linda and suddenly I feel like I owe Roger more than a thank you. But he has her, so we’re even.

“How does that sound? Yuh excited to be here?”

“You have no idea!”

“Awesome! I’d like yuh to email me yuh most recent pieces, if today, even betta.”

“Yes, I have them saved in my laptop.”

“Excellent, so just send me a few of those and read through the foldah in the meantime.”

Wearing the brightest smile New York had yet to see, I take my seat and open my new inbox first. Lo and behold I have a message already.


From: Kade Allister
To: Jude Pierce
09/21/2015 2:36PM

Welcome to the team!

K.A.


My smile spreads across the grid. Glancing to my left, Kade’s door is still open and I have a clear view of him sitting in front of his computer. Biting my lip and picking under my nails I decide on a harmless reply.


From: Jude Pierce
To: Kade Allister
09/21/2015 2:40 PM

Thank you boss- I mean coach. :)

J.P.


After I hit send, my gut tells me that was a stupid reply. Too late now! Peeking over, I wait for a reaction and get a quick laugh out of him before he makes eye contact. He points his finger at me while raising a suspicious brow and grinning helplessly.

---

The following days are entertaining to say the least. I feel a little less lost and a lot more comfortable. Looking forward to my train rides with Linda and our lunch breaks with Roger, I even manage to stutter less when answering the phone for Liv. Every day is a better day.

I begin to read my coworkers better as well. Chase keeps to himself, seeming to have a million things to do. If he isn’t typing or on the phone, he isn't in the office, period. Liv always displays a good mood, super friendly and helpful. Roger is still Roger and Kade is . . . something else!

Aside from being a great guy, coach, whatever, he sure has a mouth. Roger doesn’t seem to mind for they’ve been working together for 2 years now, but I for one am not use to such coarse talk. Every other sentence is “No fucking way!” “Don’t be fucking retarded!” “No shit!” “Son of a. . .” You get the point. My eyes feel like bulging out my face every time I hear another. By the end of the day, I have a headache, and this is only the first week.

It’s Friday and I’m only an hour away from enjoying my weekend. I finish the last emails for the day and glance at my to-do memo. The final task is a handful of faxes I've saved for the last half hour. My phone beeps and I see his name. It’s Harry. We haven’t text since the summer and I was hoping it would go longer this time.

I hear Kade’s door swoosh open and I swiftly grab my papers, turn the phone over and dash for the fax machine. I didn’t get a chance to read the text yet and my mind ponders every possible greeting.

“Hey, yuh still here?!”

“Yes, I’m just finishing up.”

“I think I might have yuh first piece, if yuh interested?” Kade asks with a smirk and brows up high.

I stop what I’m doing and give him my undivided attention. “Of course I’m interested!”

“Brilliant! So tamarah’s a special night as they continue to celebrate the 3rd Annual Generations In Jazz Festival at the Lincoln Centa. I of course need to be there, but I’d like to assign yuh the writing. Aftah revising yuh work, I think yuh can handle this and do one heck of a fucking good job at it.”

There’s the bomb again.

“I would love to. Is this a formal place?”

“Yeah, yuh can get all dolled up and rub elbows with some of New York’s finest.”

“How much is the ticket?”

“Doan worry bout it! I gotcha covahed. . . Is that a yes to my informal invitation?”

“Oh, we’re going together?”

“Well, I wasn’t planning on leaving yuh high and dry or asking yuh to meet me there. Unless that’s what you prefah?” His stare is so certain and demanding of clarity.

“No, that’s fine.”

“Great! Can I come by to get you around . . . say 5?”

“That sounds good.”

“See yuh then, have a good night.” He says walking away.

“Wait! Don’t you need my address or number?”

Kade stops in his tracks, turns his head with a confident grin and says, “ I already have it.”

Just like that he struts out of the office leaving his Hugo Boss scent behind and the image of his bearded smile dangling in my head.

Notes

Chapter Song:

Autopilot -Kodaline