ANNUAL LEAVE - PART II

I only worked at the office a couple of days a week, but Kia kept singling me out.

My stupid ass thought she must have a crush and, simultaneously, be mad for liking me at all.

As arrogant and hypocritical as those two conflicting ideas may be, I was still a naive and callow youth at the time. It took a while, but as I got to know her better, I realised she just wanted a friend.

More precisely, when she finally confessed, it was that she needed camaraderie.

“Back when I was in the army, maaaaaan...” a casual fact dropped in the middle of one of our little complaints sessions by the coffee machine, as had become our ritual, “they wouldn’t stand for this kind of disorder.”

It made a whole lot of things lock into place.

Even down to the self-imposed office-lady uniform being as stereotypical as you can imagine.

Well, there was some seasonal variation, like tights or even pants in colder weather, and no sleeved blouses in the summer, but it was always the same white shirt and black skirt combo otherwise. A classic for a reason.

Only enhanced by the contrast of their opposites underneath.

She had that military intensity and disgust at things not being done by the book.

They’d paid for her Accountancy qualification as part of her service, so when she finished a couple of tours of duty, a reasonable civilian career awaited.

Hence, ending up Supervisor so fast. Moreover, whenever there was an audit, or the books didn’t balance, Kia went on a warpath.

“I heard someone call you G.G. the other day...” and as a fierce no-nonsense person, she was not always well liked, even though she was frighteningly hot, “...I only know that as ‘Good Game’, but their tone wasn’t, well, good.”

“Oh, hah!” she guffawed, though there was an undertone of rejection, “...yeah, office nickname, Genghis Gunjin.”

The Team Leader explained that sometimes she pushed a bit too hard, but it was actually good for staff morale and retention, “If they’re pissed at me as a group, they’re a unified front that’ll work harder, and not focus on how much needs doing.”

She washed out her coffee cup and put it away in the cupboard, “Now I know how hard it is to be a Drill Sergeant.” her tone wistful.

That seemed the end of it, but I didn’t quite understand. In time, I found out she meant that it’s something they do on purpose in the army to get new recruits to make them feel closer. Their first taste of hating the enemy as one.

The memory choked her up.

She excused herself from the kitchenette, and I assumed she was going to the bathroom. When break was nearly over, and she hadn’t returned, I was compelled to check on her.

That was the first time I’d seen a grown adult cry.

Hidden away in the back of a cleaning supplies closet – running a small sink used for disposing of waste water and chemicals to drown out her sobs – there, the formidable Supervisor squatted on the floor, clinging to her own knees.

I never imagined Kia could appear so small.

I only caught a glimpse, not wanting to embarrass her or make things weird, but when another crunch period hit on the heels of the last, the stress really started to get to her.

Our break times less frequent. Those that could be worked in, more regularly broken by her need to seek solitude.

“God, the Department Chief is such a dildo!”

I spat my coffee back into my cup as Kia burst out laughing, “What does that even mean?”

“Oh, that kinda thing is pretty common in the forces... means he rides your ass.” she looked exhausted saying it, clutching her coffee cup for warmth.

“I’m sure the team feels the same about you, G.G.” I smirked and went to try again with the backwash.

“You’re right, maybe I’m getting too uptight,” she led me in then ambushed just as I was about to swallow for a second time, “I should see about getting laid!”

Another spit-take, some of the coffee even spraying out the side of the cup, thankfully none on my work clothes, but a little ended up on my shoes.

The veteran – in all regards – howled with laugher. Bent double so that we were still on eye level with each other as I wiped the floor.

“Oh I needed that,” she straightened up after I’d basically had to pour my double saliva’d coffee away, clean the cup, and top up another half to replace what I’d lost, “Thanks for that, Ken!”

Real affection in her voice. Blush upon her cheeks, neck, and what little of her chest I could see.

That slight breathlessness too, just how I imagined she might be after... like she said.

“I mean,” I threw my hat in the ring, “we could, if you wanted.”

She stopped mid-sip of her own coffee, stared blankly for a second, half understanding and half in disbelief, eyes like saucers.

“You said you needed it.” My fresh out of high-school absolute lack of charisma cancelled out for a moment by at least having some earnestness going for me, “I’d be happy to help.”

Look how the mail-boy flirts!

Kia refrained from a spit-take of her own, but continued staring at me like I’d given her ‘Nam flashbacks.

“We could-”

“Stopstopstopstopstopstopstop...”

She put her cup down and waved her hands at me in surrender, “Oh boy!”

It took a while for Kia to regain her composure, “I’m flattered, and...”

Stopping and starting, being very precise with her words, probably to try and save my feelings, “...you’re sweet and all...”

If you’re gonna reject me, just get it over with!

Although I held in the words, the feeling must have crept into my expression, “...but like, you’re a bit too young...”

Is that all?

The Accounts Supervisor checked no one else was about then leaned close, the bitter notes of the coffee on her breath mingling with the sweetness of her perfume, “If I’m still single in a couple of years,” my spine prickled with electricity, adrenaline raced through my veins, “I’d be more comfortable if you were in your 20s too.”

I could have happily died on the spot.

I wasn’t rejected, not completely.

I wanted to fist bump the air, but had to keep it cool.

“Then it’s a date.”

That time, THE Genghis Gunjin spat some coffee back in her cup, blushing more than when she’d been laughing, and struggled not to cough.

Thought you had the upper-hand, didn’t you!

She collected herself, cleaned out her cup and topped it off, then dropped a counter right back at me, “I’ll have to tell Mia she’s gonna have a step-dad...”

“Y-y-you’re a-a-a-” I stuttered a few words before the rest chickened out and stuck in my throat.

“Yeah, just me and Mia, she’s the light of my life!” Kia twisted the knife and watched me crumble in the staffroom.

I tried to recover, imagining becoming part of some young kid’s life when I was barely out of school myself, but I noticed the mask slip.

She’s pulling my leg!

“You’re pulling my leg!”

“P’hah! Your face...” she cracked, cackling, and I tried not to – too obviously – sigh with relief, as much as I was legitimately considering becoming a step-dad in less than 18-months for that woman.

“Yeah, Mia’s...” the Team Leader struggling to get more than a word or two out between wheezes and screams at her own joke, “my service dog.”

What the heck is one of those?!.