I felt excitement stir at Janet's words. This was exactly what I had been hoping for. A foot in the door at a large marketing firm. I couldn't believe how lucky I was that I was working for someone who was willing to give me a chance.
"I can't tell you how much I appreciate this opportunity," I said. "I can definitely handle the extra responsibility and look forward to helping you with your clients."
Janet nodded and continued. "I'm happy to hear that. I also want to warn you that while I'm a fair boss, I expect a lot as well. I want you to consider this a career. This job has to be a priority for you. That's not to say I'm unreasonable. I realize that real life can intrude on the job and sometimes it's a juggling act. I just hope you know how to juggle well."
I nodded eagerly. "I definitely consider this job as the start of my career at Mass Communications. And I assure you that I have my priorities in order."
Janet seemed satisfied with my answer and she spent the next hour filling me in on her different clients and the various marketing strategies she was working on. I scribbled furiously on my notepad, not wanting to miss a word. While it was stressful to have Janet expect so much from me, it also felt exhilarating to have my destiny in my own hands. It was up to me whether or not I was going to succeed, and I definitely planned on being a success.
The rest of the day was spent catching up on learning about Janet's clients as well as a lot of filing and copying. I didn't mind any of these tasks because I knew it would lead to bigger and better things. Lunch was spent in Janet's office where we ate sandwiches that we had delivered and poured through reports to see how various marketing campaigns were performing.
By the time Janet told me she no longer needed me and that I was free to go home, I was exhausted. My head was filled with so much new information that I felt like facts and figures were going to start leaking out from my ears.
I stuck my head in Janet's office before leaving.
"Are you sure there's nothing else I can help you with?"
Janet smiled and shook her head. "I'm fine. Take advantage of these days when you don't have to work late, because there'll be plenty of nights we'll be burning the midnight oil."
"Okay, have a great night then."
I gathered my things and walked down the hallway, nodding at people who were still at their desks. Janet had introduced me around the office and everyone had been friendly and helpful. I decided that my first day at work was a resounding success.
By the time I got home I was hot from the subway and starving. Claire was lounging on the couch flipping through TV channels.
"How was it?" she asked.
"Good," I replied, sitting heavily on one of the breakfast table chairs. "But tiring. I feel like I've stuffed one week's worth of work into one day. But I really like everyone at work, especially my boss. How was your day?"
Claire flicked off the television, shrugging. "Boring. I rarely have rehearsals anymore since the show's started running, and my agent has no leads on anything."
Claire was fortunate that she didn't have to work a day job like so many struggling actors in New York. She came from an affluent family who supported her acting career so she could dedicate herself to finding acting jobs.
"Well, I'm starving. Have you eaten?" I hadn't finished my sandwich during lunch since I had been so preoccupied with taking notes and my stomach was now grumbling in protest.
Claire's face brightened. "No, and I'm famished. There's a great Thai place that delivers."
"Sounds good to me. Just let me change."
I left Claire rifling through restaurant menus that she had pulled out from a kitchen drawer and went to my bedroom, groaning in relief as I took off my high heels. Changing into shorts and a t-shirt, I grabbed my phone from my purse and sat on the bed. The day had been such a whirlwind that I hadn't had a chance to check my phone for messages.
I saw that I had a voicemail from my mother but that's not what made my heart leap. I saw that I had a text message from Jackson and I eagerly opened it.
My evening shifts this week are Mon thru Wed 4-9pm. So when are you coming?
I felt a quiver of anticipation, but I knew I couldn't commit to anything at this point. With my new job, I didn't know if I would be working late.
Sorry, not sure if I can make it with my new job. Maybe this weekend if you're working?
After hitting send, I listened to my mother's message.
Emma, honey. I was calling to see how your first day was. Was the subway okay? Did you get lost? Did any strangers try to talk to you? Call me back as soon as you can!
I groaned after hearing my mother's voicemail and hit the button to call her back. I had the feeling that I was going to have to constantly reassure her until she got used to me living in New York. She couldn't seem to shake the notion that New York was a scary place where her daughter was in danger of being accosted at every corner.
"Hi, Mom," I said when my mother answered after the first ring. "Your darling daughter is still alive."
"Emma! I'm so happy to hear your voice! I was so worried. I thought you would call earlier. I left you that voicemail in the afternoon and it's already six o'clock."
"Mom," I said with exasperation. "It was my first day at work. I couldn't tell my boss that I had to be excused because I had to go call my mother. It kind of hurts my credibility as a professional."
"I'm sure she would have understood. Isn't she a mother?"
I rolled my eyes. My mother seemed to think that every woman in her thirties should be married with children. "She doesn't have any children. And before you ask, no, she's not married."
Janet had alluded to being married to her job earlier today and I hadn't seen any pictures of children in her office.
"Oh no!" my mother said, sounding horrified. "That means she'll work you to death if she doesn't have anything else in her life except her job. Is she a workaholic? She must be a workaholic. Emma, don't become a workaholic!"
I couldn't help laughing at my mother's frantic tone. I knew she meant well. My mother just wanted me to be happy and she was worried that I was running away from my problems by moving to New York. She didn't seem to understand that I wasn't running from something, I was running to something.
"Mom, I promise I won't become a workaholic. My first day was actually really great. I really like my boss and she seems to be willing to give me a chance to prove myself."
"I guess that's good," she replied, not sounding convinced. Her voice brightened as she changed the subject. "How's Claire? She sounds like a sweet girl from what her mother's told me. Do you like the apartment?"