What About My Forever?

Chapter 3 Spilling The Beans

Louise's POV

My eyes ping around me at the empty warehouse, feeling the nervousness taking over. I have no idea what he would need to speak with me about, but the only time I have seen people go into his office, it was to either be lectured or fired. So the odds are not in my favor. My orbs landed on my supervisor who was holding the door open for me as I trekked the stairs. He looks older than the relic building we reside in at the moment, which makes my pace quicken since I don't know how much longer he can hold that large metal door open on his own.

I can hear him quietly grunt as he holds the door wider for me, so I speed through the doorway, seeing in my peripherals that he is waving his hand to show me where I can have a seat as he lets go of the door. "Thank you" I softly say, letting the door slowly shut the rest of the way on its own. I took his silent invitation and quickly walked past his desk. Without hesitation, I am sitting down in the wooden office chair across from his desk and chair, before hearing the click of the door latching shut behind me.

With the nervousness taking over, I set my hands in my lap, fidgeting with my fingers as I feel the little bit of my hair tickle over my cheek. Automatically, I push the long dark hairs that are falling out of my bun, behind my ear. But quickly noticing the dirt and oil that is all over my hands. I hide them back in my lap, feeling slightly self-conscious as I hear his hard breathing making its way around me and to the back of the desk to have a seat. I am confused, not knowing if I should do something for him to help.

He looks out of breath from that one moment. I don't know if I need to get him a glass of water or wait for him to catch his breath, but either way, I'm concerned. "Ms. Douglas.. I.." He clears his throat, sounding still out of breath before he adds. "I called you here.. To discuss something.. With you." he states, pausing again. I don't think it's for dramatic effect. I just don't think he likes looking vulnerable and wants to keep this interaction going, like there isn't any kind of issue with his breathing or age. Even though it is obvious that there is.

Politely, I keep waiting for him to continue, so he takes a deep breath, then lets it out. "The base has called me up to request some extra help for them." He declares as his hand lies on his chest. "You can give yourself a moment if you need, sir." I reply, feeling worried since he keeps pushing himself, which is obviously not good for him. "No, it's fine.. I just sat down a little fast for my mind's liking.. I'm peachy keen." He declares as he slaps a stack of papers that are in front of me, causing me to jump from being startled.

My eyebrows furrow, not knowing what he expects me to do with this, so I just wait for further explanation. "I was asked to send someone who I think would be capable of handling a hard and complicated workload, knowing full well that they can handle it and learn more.. And I have chosen you and a couple of others. Ms. Douglas, you work very hard here, haven't missed a day since you started, and you ain't bad to look at, that is when you're keeping your mouth shut. You're dedicated and fully deserve this new step to something that could potentially be better for you, since you haven't found a husband to take care of you yet." He declares while sucking on a sharp breath for his lung's sake.

My head shook for just a second as I took in all he had to say, I know it doesn't sound all that great, with his insults and all, but I know he means it well. "Sir.. I have never worked for the military, they wouldn't even let me..." I tried to explain before he quickly cut me off with a hand up in front of me. I stared at his palm for a moment before hearing him grunt again. "You wouldn't exactly be working for the military. You will be helping put together the aircraft that carry the men just as you do here. It's hard labor, but I know you can do it." He declares, sounding as if there is no room for negotiation, even if I wanted there to be.

"That is nice of you, but I am not sure whether I can handle such things? I have only worked on the small parts given to me in this warehouse." He nods before responding without a second thought, "You have been in each section for little bit of time, showing you are fast learning and ambitious, which is what they want." He says this with a look on his face that would be calling me brainless if he allowed his lips to say it.

"Thank you but.." I try to add, but he just cuts me off once again. "You can learn. Don't overthink it because all your overthinking is giving me a headache. Let the men handle the main thoughts into this opportunity, and you do as your told." I stare at his wrinkly face, then back down to the desk, still not knowing what else to say. "You will take this good opportunity, and that's final. Take these papers and get out of my sight." He demands, standing up instantly as I do the same.

"What if I didn't want to leave here or my friends?" I asked, almost scared of what this could mean for me, when I have finally found people who make me feel not so alone in this world. Not that this opportunity is bad, but that it's scary being someone new and away from the friends I made that make this life worth it.. But at the same time, evolving to move onto better things is what I had hoped for. This was just not how I was expecting to get it.

"Ms. Beals... I didn't ask for your opinion. I had already told the men that you would be joining them, and that's that. This is a good opportunity, and I won't let you squander it while making me look bad. You're fully capable of this, so Monday is when you start. Be at the base at 7 am sharp. Have a good weekend off, but don't be late. Now leave me be before I get irritated in this conversation." He waves his hand as if he is sweeping me away like a fly.

"But sir." I start again as he groans out so loudly, showing his annoyance with me now. "No more of this malarkey. I have given you your orders, and you WILL abide by them. Don't forget your papers. This is the information needed for leaving here and going there. Take this top paper with you and show it to the man at the gate outside the base. He will show you where to go from there." he explains as I quickly reach down and grab the stack of papers before nodding and responding sweetly. "Thank you for this opportunity, sir." He just nods and keeps waving me away, not giving me a second glance.

I leave the office and prance down the stairs, instantly noticing a hop in my step, while holding the papers tightly over my chest with my arms crossed as if they are securing them to my frame. I looked back just to see my supervisor is now watching me leave the area before giving me a quick nod as if this was his goodbye. I sent him a small smile and wave with the 3 fingers I have available since the rest are holding all of my items.

Before the strength leaves me I turn myself around, looking forward once more, thinking about how surprising all of this was. He has always seemed like he hated me, but he said some of the nicest things that have ever been said about my worth ethic and smarts in my life, and he might be one of the few people in this world with confidence in me and the hard work I have put into everything I have done with this job. That thought alone makes me feel amazing, as if I am on cloud nine.

This is exciting and shocking at the same time. I feel like I am stuck in a dream and that somehow this can't be real, and yet here the papers sit in my arms. That idea alone created a genuinely happy smile on my face, but that didn't seem to calm down my heart. These feelings of excitement and anxiousness hit my system as hard as I think that metal door would have hit me on the way out of his office if I wasn't moving so fast to get out of there.

With my pace quickening, I take a look around at the place that gave me my start in this hardworking world and I know that I will be forever grateful for that chance and belief in me when most wouldn't even consider giving me a chance. All the hard work put into this chance has led to the type of break I was hoping for, to give me something new to learn and embrace, no matter how intimidating.

This could be something great for me in so many ways, so to say that I can't wait to get this started is a complete understatement. I approached the door faster than I expected as I pushed and opened it before looking back into the factory that I may miss a little. I keep pushing the door back until it stops at its opening limit. I internally said goodbye to the place that gave me my start and just hope this next turn will be what I have been hoping for as well. Giving me something to strive for.

I see the girls waiting as they smoke their cigarettes while leaning on Mary's black Ford Coupe. They look so stunning with the sun setting behind them, being something beautiful to distract me for a second and hopefully help my mind calm down, even if it's only slightly. I start to feel the relief hitting my system the further away I get from the factory, so the pep in my step is back. They notice me coming their way as they elbow one another, giving me all their attention, since I'm sure their curiosity is at an all-time high after I was called in to be talked to right in front of them.

I watch each one of them hop down from the vehicle and wait for me to approach them. I send them a small smile, feeling nervous, not knowing how to approach this situation that could possibly hurt their self-esteem since they weren't picked or make them jealous, but that is if they even care. Maybe they will be sad like I was for a moment to know I won't be working with them day in and day out, as I have been.