The Shape of Love

#9 Monday Afternoon "The Edge"

Lacey didn't know what to expect at the job interview when she woke early Monday morning. Nevertheless she washed her face, brushed her teeth and scoured her closet for the best semi-professional attire she could find. One that she hoped didn't convey to the interviewer that two months before she'd sold most of her clothing to pay her internet bill. Sadly, even her favorite business blazer and winter coat couldn't drum up enough money to extend her internet access into April.

For the past few weeks she'd been hopping onto her neighbors spotty coverage, finding the best connection in her bedroom closet. Lucky for her there was plenty of space.

Settling on a pair of brown slacks the resale shop wouldn't take because of the hole in the crotch and a white tank top Lacey dressed. Mindful to keep her legs crossed during the interview she tucked the tank top into her waist. She'd often slept in the tank and once spilled cereal, leaving a slight patch of discoloration at the bottom seam.

Lacey looked at herself in the mirror and groaned audibly. The only shoes she'd kept, her black converse, stuck out like a sore thumb beneath the faded brown cuffs.

Maybe they'd think she was quirky. Lacey bit on her lip. Before finals last year Lacey had several job interview outfits picked out. They were stylish and formal yet relaxed. She felt confident in the classic black pantsuit and a-line dresses that were suitable for any occasion.

They were all gone now, probably being worn by another struggling young professional on their way to a job interview of their very own. Silently Lacey wished them luck before turning the sentiment inward.

She was stalling.

Lacey had been waiting for this, an opportunity literally dropped in her lap. Then why was she so hesitant? It wasn't just the torn and stained clothes, or even the mismatched shoes. She was afraid.

She'd deviated so far from the plan, how could she ever find her way back? Lacey wasn't just off the path, she'd fallen from the cliff, tumbled down the side of the mountain. She'd lost her footing completely.

Was it her fault then? A misplaced foot, an unnoticed pebble that tripped her up?

Or was it that she'd carved the path too close to the edge.

-

At half past noon the sidewalks were crowded mirroring Lacey's mind as she stayed close to the building facades.

Last night, while huddled on the floor in the 'good wifi' corner of her bedroom she'd made the mistake of checking her bank account. Again.

$17 with a week to go until she would owe rent and a half. The Split Bean would cover the rest of April's rent, but it would leave nothing left over. No money for May's rent - well $17, if she could stretch it that long.

Lacey had almost sent her landlord another pleading email to grant her an extension. But after sitting on the wooden floor with the browser open for a good fifteen minutes she decided against it. She promised it was a one time thing, it would be shameful to go back on that.

Even if she did get an extension Lacey would find herself playing catch up again, this time the stakes set higher.

She knew it wouldn't be enough, not with utilities, food, and oh yea her student loans.

Fuck.

Last night she'd tried to find a cheaper place to stay. One that maybe she could take out a teensy loan - just to cover the first months rent. But after fourteen minutes of looking, she knew it wasn't an option.

If it was she would've moved long ago, after mid July.

Lacey was smart when she'd chosen the apartment. It was cheap - practically the lowest price in town - and not a far walk from the coffee shop. All a part of her master plan to stretch her money for a year if need be - though in the back of her mind she'd always laughed when she made her plan for a year.

There was no way she'd still be looking for jobs come May. That'd been the plan all along, to find a 'real' job. One that paid the bills, one that wouldn't leave her in debt. Just the word terrified her.

There was no way her life would've become stagnant, like stick caught in the mud.

She'd been wrong.

As Lacey marched along the concrete keeping her arms close to her chest she grimaced. Tightly she hugged herself to avoid passersby who seemed indifferent to how her posture shrank as they shot by her like bullets from a cubicle cannon.

She'd come close to going into debt once before, arguably it was what kept her head so close to the water now.

July 17th, the day Lacey's world stopped being predictable.

There was no part of that dreary fog latent day that was conducive to her plan. That day was the reason she dreaded walking home after the night shift. She took the long way now, it added an extra twelve minutes - but at least it was lit.

On the 17th there were no lights.

Her hand gravitated to her abdomen where she placed her palm over the uneven skin.

Everything was dark. Then she woke up in the hospital.

Lacey shook her head from the thoughts. Now was not the time. She needed to prepare for her interview. A clear head is what Lacey needed.

There was little research to do on the company, Mother Mary's Publishing. From what Lacey had found they were a fairly small firm, mainly dealing with local authors.

Glancing again at the address she'd written down on a piece of paper Lacey didn't see the woman who'd just exited the door of the two story historic brick to her right.

"My, you are punctual."

Lacey looked up to find the grinning eyes of Marie as she looked over Lacey's hunched stride. She straightened, unfolding her arms self consciously.

Marie was dressed in a vintage romper that fastened at her waist with a skinny cloth belt. The legs of the cotton material fanned out around her ankles, the perfect fit for her long legs as the yellow skimmed the concrete.

Confused Lacey looked past Marie to the building two doors down. Mother Mary's Publishing. Had Marie been waiting for Lacey? The city was too big for it to be a coincidence.

Lacey raised an eyebrow. "Making sure I don't sully your good name?"

"I don't think you could do anything to sully my name." Marie winked. "And no actually, I was running out to grab something. I work here." Marie gestured behind her.

The three story building stood in the heart of the older part of the city. Chipped brick outlined the modern storefront. It was an odd blend of new and old as crystal clear windows flanked glass double doors allowing pedestrians a full glimpse of the inside.

A clothing shop? Lacey thought as she found well dressed mannequins posed in view. Beyond them racks of clothing hung from industrial looking metal carts. Her eyes traveled up the side of the building, a few feet of brick separated a thick chunk of wooden board from the doorway. Painted in white script the name 'Thrift Me Not'.

A thrift store.

Marie's vibrant laugh caught in the afternoon air as she drew in Lacey's attention. "Pretty cool huh? Come by after the interview and I'll show you around." Her hand brushed Lacey's as she spoke.

A breath caught in Lacey's throat and she nodded dumbly.

"Break a leg Lace." Marie called over her shoulder as she jogged away into the sea of people.

- 

Apologies for the long wait on this chapter ! Vote & Comment if you wish xo