Bare Your Soul

1- Get A Job

Stress. The six letter word seemed to play a huge roll in Ariel Davis' life. There was literally always something for her to stress about. If it weren't how the bills were going to be paid, it was dealing with some mess one of her sons had created. Ariel was a strong Black woman, very independent, very strong willed—however even the strongest person gets tired of lifting all the heavy weight after a while.

She was thirty years old, a mother of three and contently married. She'd worked her ass off to obtain her bachelor's degree while juggling babies and her husband. Everyone had doubted that she could do it but she did; and for that, she was damn proud of herself.

Of course she hadn't done it all alone. She had to admit, her husband Levi played a huge role in helping her get her career started. He worked endless hours to put his wife through school while watching the kids while Ariel did her homework and assignments. Ariel had to admit, Levi was a good man, a great father and a phenomenal support system. Without him, she would have had a harder time becoming a school counselor but there was no doubt in her mind that she wouldn't have gotten it done eventually.

Ariel sighed heavily as she began to pack up her stuff. She had to go to her eldest son Israel's school. Once again, her troublemaking son had done something to get him suspended. It irritated her how her boys were always getting into something.

Ariel stood from her desk, just as a knock sounded on her open office door. Ariel peeked over her shoulder and immediately a huge smile emerged on her face. Her heart thundered in her chest as the principal Mr. O'Riley stood there in his crisp suit and tie.

            "Afternoon Mrs. Davis." His smile beamed right back at her.

Ariel unintentionally brushed her long Bob behind her ear. "Hey Mr. O'Riley. How are you?" She responded.

            "Wonderful. And yourself?" He asked, leaning against the arch of the door.

            "Can't complain." But she could complain. A lot actually.

            "Great, your hair looks nice. New style?" Mr. O'Riley questioned, his eyes never leaving from her face. From the look in his light brown orbs, he was genuinely interested. He always seemed very intrigued by whatever Ariel was saying.

Ariel blushed shyly, her peanut butter cheeks reddening some. "I did." The excitement that anyone even noticed surged through her.

            "It fits you," he complimented. "Anyway, I came to see if you wanted to do lunch."

Ariel glanced at her watch. "I would but... I actually have to step out for the day. Family emergency," Ariel replied with a slight pout.

Mr. O'Riley stood up straight, nodding his head with his hands in his pants pockets. "Understandable. Maybe another time." He flashed her an ultra-bright smile.

            "For sure." Ariel nodded, smiling hard herself.

Mr. O'Riley grinned her way before walking away. Ariel could hear her co-workers eagerly greeting the handsome middle aged man. She slightly shook her head with a small smirk of her own. She couldn't pretend like she didn't notice Mr. O'Riley was attracted to her. As he made no effort to hide it. Ariel also couldn't deny that she herself found Mr. O'Riley attractive. She didn't usually go for White men but this White man's swagger had her giving him a second glance.

But looking was all she would be doing being that she was a married woman.

Ariel felt that the attention was harmless. Plus it low key boosted her self-esteem. She was far from an insecure woman but like any human being, she did have her insecurities. Mr. O'Riley reminded her that she still looked good even if she had put on a few unneeded pounds after her babies. It felt good to know her 5'5 frame was still catching eyes, extra weight and all.