Before I could head back to my office, my thoughts were derailed upon learning that one of my PT assistants was being hauled off to jail. Apparently there was a warrant for his arrest and he had been served at work. I was a little shaken and embarrassed for him. It was my responsibility to make human resources aware of the situation immediately for their deliberations and I did that after the medley had died down from other patients and staff crowding the small reception area. I jumped right back into work after placing the call.
The new system was just that—new. It had taken a few tries for me to acclimate myself to the software recalling how the inept training that we received hadn’t prepared me at all for using it. I remained stowed away in my office until I finished my third examination of the completed reports. I wanted to be sure they were correct and accurate. I emailed them off to management and leaned back in my chair sighing of exhaustion. When I glanced out the window, I saw the sun was setting on the long summer day and checked the time. I couldn’t believe it was after seven at night. I noted Erin’s recital may have been still in full swing and it wasn’t too late to go pick up a bouquet of flowers and cupcakes from her favorite bakery.
I grabbed my things prepared to leave the office, not forgetting my overnight shopping bag. When I entered the reception area, I said goodnight to Tim, the evening maintenance man for the practice. I walked outside and saw my black Chevy Cavalier parked exactly where I’d left her the day before. I threw my things in the passenger seat and climbed into the driver’s side to fire her up but she stalled instead.
“C’mon, girl. Not tonight. I have to get out of here,” I begged but she continued to wheeze. After a few more tries I collapsed my head on the steering wheel at the realization that my car was dead. During the last emergency trip to the repair shop, Eddie warned me that she was on her last leg. I just needed a few more months to get ahead on my bills then I could replace her.
I picked up the phone to call the only person that I knew to call. Michelle answered the phone with classical music in the background. She asked if I was okay and I lied and told her that I was and to call when she was done. Frustration set in and I sat there with a million thoughts running through my head. That was interrupted by a knock on my window. I jumped, startled by abrupt clamor. It was Brett, Azmir’s assistant. His brilliant green eyes and crestfallen lips cried of concern.
“I’m sorry for startling you. You okay, Ms. Brimm?” he spoke through the glass clearly aware of my horror-stricken face. With my right hand clenched to my chest, I opened the door with my left and got out.
“You scared the shit out of me, Brett,” I muttered still trying to catch my breath.
“It won’t start?” Brett seemed to ignore my initial shock and moved around me to jump in the car to give it a try himself.
“No. I think she’s a goner,” I mumbled with pain in my voice. He tried a few times himself with no success. He got out and said, “Yeah, it’s not moving at all. How are you getting home? It’s getting dark.”
“I know. I had a late day. I see I’m not the only one.” I sighed.
“This is actually kind of early for me. I can leave out close to ten at night some days.” He chortled lightly. Brett was taller than I’d realized, having to be Azmir’s height at least. I could tell his silky golden blonde hair was recently cut and combed up out of his face, something different from his norm.
“You live in Redondo Beach, right? I can give you a lift.” I froze at those words. Being a single migrant new to Los Angeles, those words of offering a lift always raised red flags. I had to remind myself that Brett was Azmir’s trustworthy assistant and couldn’t get very far if he’d raped and murdered me, though I didn’t want to take the chance.
Hesitantly I compromised, “My girlfriend just changed her cell number a few days ago, and I haven’t stored it in my phone yet. I have it written down in my office. Let me go call her to see if she can give me a lift before I inconvenience you. Okay?”
“Sure. No problem!” Brett exclaimed as he pulled out his phone and began punching in numbers. I paced myself back to the office door trying to be sure not to give away my haste. I made my way into my desk and dialed Azmir. He answered on the second ring.