not today
saving jane: part one
JANE
September 1982
Hunched over the sink in the office bathroom, Jane’s leg cramps are exacerbating and it’s getting harder to walk without attracting inquiry. She wiggles it a bit hoping the shake will relieve some of the tightness. She wonders if the pain is from sitting behind the desk for too much of the day or if the origins are her new Nine West heels she’s breaking in. This persistent throb cannot be what the late thirties are about she thinks to herself. Is it the sweets? Jane’s mind drifts to the free donuts she often ate now that she and Monique were friends. Monique keeps fresh donuts in the office and they are irresistible.
With a deep sigh, Jane collects her breath, her bearings, refreshes her lipstick and fixes her shirt as she heads back into the office, right as the chime indicates the last client of the day has arrived.
At work, Jane is wholly put together, committed to the pursuit of wealth; ensuring Lee has money to go to college, that there is money for her BMW, money to pay her mortgage and money for saving. She loves working in the auto repair business and takes pride in watching her company grow. She loves her customers more than anything. Outside of work, her actions write a different story.
After handling customer intake, Jane peaks in on Maurice to remind him of their meeting tomorrow, “We need to add financials to the agenda for tomorrow. Things are going well but I want to make sure we have enough profit to cover us for twelve months. I’m tired of worrying about how much money we’ll bring in month to month and I need your help figuring this out.” Without looking up from his desk, Maurice replies, “No worries at all. See you tomorrow.”
As Jane heads to her car, she pulls out a cigarette, locates her keys and takes a puff before turning on the engine. Jane immediately turns the station as it blasts the new Sugarhill Gang. Her nerves are frenzied, she needs something slower to ease her nerves for the drive home.
The chill September wind escorts Jane to work the next day. The night before, she’d tossed and turned until the sun peaked through the curtains, so today’s drive was unusually hard. Relief, as Jane finally pulls into work. And there’s Monique — joyfully waiting outside the front of the auto body shop. She has a box of something fresh, as she usually does when she’s excited to share a new recipe. With the amount of stress Jane feels this morning, she may eat the entire box in one sitting.
Monique and her “Peachtree Street Bakery” are the shop’s new neighbors as of earlier this year. It only takes six months for she and Jane to foster a beautiful and sudden friendship. Monique is younger than Jane by a few years, earnest about life’s possibilities, serious about her wellness, and in love with baking. Like Jane, she loves entrepreneurship. Often, they share business strategies and fun ideas over something warm, something glazed. Jane’s time with Monique reminds her of her college days, lots of laughs and ease.
Monique is friendly and enjoys surprising Jane and her team with fresh baked pastries. Today, she’s brought a half dozen cinnamon roll donuts, except these donuts were not regular yeasted. They had the texture of croissants — flaky, airy. For Jane, it’s a strange pairing.
“Jane! Good morning!” Monique voices as she saunters towards the vehicle. “You have to try these. The texture, the spice, the sugar. GIRL. Here take a bite”, Eyes big, smile bigger, Monique pushes the donut forward, box accompanying, before Jane can fully get out of the car. Jane inhales, dashing out her cigarette before taking a bite. Glazed flakes falling around her shoes. Faint smells of smoke brush by Monique’s nose. Trying not to react dramatically, Monique settles for a small cough and a scratch of the nose.
Barely audible, Jane takes a bite of the donut, “These are GOOD. Interesting. But really GOOD.” Jane smacks and pauses, observing the peculiar pastry, “Give me the box. I’m going to hide these under my desk.” The ladies giggle. But Jane is serious. “Thank you, my grandmother always encouraged me to try new things in the kitchen! But how are you feeling today? I noticed you’ve been walking with a bit of a limp these last few days. What’s going on?” Monique questions. “You don’t miss a thing do you?” Jane laughs with an edge. “I don’t know. It could be these shoes I bought last week. Or how much I’ve been sitting lately. Or these donuts you’re always bringing around!” Jane rolls her eyes as her voice trails off. Monique gives her a sly look and side eyes the cigarette.
Jane heads inside the shop and back to her office. Monique follows behind Jane and inquires, “You don’t think it’s the cigarettes?” Right on cue. Monique’s persistence on this subject is the toughest part of their friendship. Jane faces Monique, “Girl, I’m not giving up cigarettes. Anything else?” Jane hates talking about the cigarettes. Lucky for her, her family intentionally avoids the subject. Monique, not so much. Jane knows she should care, that she should appreciate Monique’s concern but she does not have capacity for that, especially not today.
“I worry about you, it’s hard seeing you in pain or hearing your cough.”
“That cough is genetic, I wouldn’t worry about that.” Jane shifts from leg to leg, she has so much work to do before the meeting with Maurice.
Monique gently grabs Jane’s hands and looks her in the eyes, “I’m not going to stop telling you this - You do not have to live in pain.”
Hooked already! The way you delicately weave so many female relationships. Friendly at the core with a bit of side-eye at the edges . . . Can't wait to consume the following chapters!