No Longer Alone

Chapter Twenty-One

*Nicole's POV*

    I was still revved up from teaching an amazing class today, classes were one of my favorite times at work, more when I was leading them than when I was observed.  Anytime I was being evaluated on my teaching style, I would get flustered, trying to remember how many time I said one thing, or thinking I could have said something differently for more impact, but when it was just the class and me, I was simply able to focus on the fun of training, and how good it felt when they understood the why of something.

    The class had almost an hour of calls before their next scheduled break, and I headed back to my desk, tugging slightly on the business jacket I was wearing.  I had pulled my hair away from my face earlier, but I could feel the clip slipping and just gave up, letting my hair down in a natural slight waive, which was fine sine I was still feeling uncomfortable without my normal clothing.  I had gone with black slacks and a black business jacket partnered with a deep green camisole style top that had lace along the top edge.  Standard black high heels completed the look.  I even got up early enough to put on make-up.  My boss laughed at me when I asked for an award for actually being an adult for once, I didn't get the award sadly.

    "Hey lady, heard class was a hit."  Nick called out to me as I headed back to my desk to check for any information I may have missed while I was in class.  I have my timing down well after years of working here, I know how to stay out of the spotlight when visitors show up.  Taking on class today was a virtual promise that I wouldn't be on the floor when they did the tour of the site, and since they usually spend most of their time in the conference room instead of out with the frontline agents, I wouldn't have to worry about much except in passing.  High enough to do good, low enough not to have to play the political games, perfect location for me.

    "Oh the agents that excited to practice what I tried to beat into your thick skull?"  I grinned and commented back to Nick.  Nick was a special case, and I wasn't sure to this day how he got his lovely wife considering he had unicorn headbands he would wear on his head, or on both his shoulders.  His theme was to be a unicorn in a field of horses.  He usually wore more colors every day than you could see in a rainbow, but he had a real passion for helping others, even if he was still learning the ropes.

    "Agents are always happy about your classes.  Nah this time I overheard the bosses talking with some other people about it.  Seems you made quite the impression."  Nick was smiling and almost bouncing, while I felt a cold chill down my back, I hadn't noticed anyone watching.  "Hey when you have some time can you give me some tips to make my next class better?   You keep breaking it down so I can understand it."

    "Sure, next time before class, let me know I'll help you then watch and give you some feedback."  It wasn't uncommon for me to help newer members of the team more frequently, and it helped boost their confidence a lot, so it was worth the extra time invested.  I went to unlock my computer, and saw my hands shake a little.  I did my best to hide my confidence issues at work, but the thought of them listening when I didn't know it, and not being certain what part of class they heard, made me anxious.  I looked at my locked computer for a moment, then grabbed my bucket of candy and headed to the floor, after all, if I don't check my computer because I am focused on my agents, they can't get mad at me if I miss something.

    I proceeded to go through the aisles handing out candy to agents, answering questions and either recognizing agents for doing extra well, or talking them through difficult times.  I actually looked up at the clock surprised to see that it was already lunch time.    I clocked out heading for the patio to read a book on my phone during the down time.  The noise of agents chatting around me a pleasant sound.

    I was about to unlock a new episode on a story that I had been really enjoying when I heard someone saying my name, looking up I saw Bob and David coming up to me.  Bob was in charge of the group that I had been working with today, and David was in charge of the group right before it, the two had actually developed a really good friendship inside work and outside of work, despite differences in personality and age, I counted on both of them because they both had amazing work ethics even though they often tended to take the blame for things outside their control.

    "Hey guys, how's it been going for you today?"

    "Not too bad, though everyone is either stressed out due to visitors, or the women are going nuts over them."  I raised an eyebrow at them and shook my head.

    "Oh, are they that scary?"  I laughed.

    "Don't look at me, I couldn't see them even if I wanted to."  Bob responded with a grin.  Bob was one of the most amazing people I had ever met.  He could see, but it was so limited that he was considered legally blind.  In my opinion he was better than me, because he was walking talking proof that if you put your mind to it, you can achieve anything.

    "Don't worry old man, we don't expect you to see anything, including my feet that you like walking on.  That's why I wear my heels more, makes my feet into smaller targets."  I responded and he laughed.

    "Hey our deal was you get to walk on the bottom of your feet, I get to walk on the top of them."  Bob responded without missing a beat.

    "Only when I wear steel toes."  David just laughed at the two of us and waited for us to finish.

    "Nah evidently these are some real pretty boys that have the women all looking at them drooling.  Haven't seen 'em myself except in passing, the bosses seemed to be focused on something with them and really didn't wanna interrupt."  David commented.

    "Well, you're a step above me than this time, I was in class evidently, and you know how focused I get on that."

    "You did that on purpose and some of us know this.  I don't get why you always avoid any recognition or any of the visitors."  Bob for all his lack of physical observation, was sharper than most people gave him credit  for.

    "It's not avoiding, it's simply strategic placement to ensure that I don't have to try and filter myself dealing with these higher ups that only care about the bottom line and not people.  Besides, I'm getting old and my knees don't do well having to get down to assume the correct butt kissin' position."  The guys laugh at this as they are both older than me.

    "Old you aren't, but I can see your point with filtering yourself, you tend to be more direct than most of us.  But one of these days, those tricks of yours aren't going to work anymore."

    Why did that sound like a curse?