Eve Chapter 1

Damn it is cold out here! I thought it was supposed to be like 50 degrees today. Lord, I hate the cold. I said, bundling myself up tighter around my neck, which had apparently disappeared in between my shoulders and head. The wind was blowing havoc in my face as I made my way to work in busy downtown New York.

I was fresh, well not exactly fresh…maybe 2 years or so, out of college and going to my job. A job I loved by the way. I wasn’t a big time anything, yet. I was only a receptionist, but I had a purpose and a plan. I was going to be somebody’s CEO somewhere. I promised myself I would not end up doing some normal job outside of my field of study. I wasn’t about to waste the time I spent at school nor my parent’s money. We all worked hard for me to be something. But for now, I was grateful I even had a job and not interning. This job afforded me the opportunity to move to New York, the city that never sleeps, on my own. I was able to afford and maintain my apartment, my bills, and my independence.

I stopped in my favorite coffee shop to get my good good cup of joe before heading in. “Good morning, Pop” I spoke to the owner. “Good morning, Eve, my favorite customer. “Hey, hey listen up”, he began screaming. “This young lady is going to be somebody, a big somebody. And I am going to put her picture up right on that wall there.” He pointed, as he spoke to the customers crowded in the shop. My face turned beet red, which is hard for my dark skin, but I could feel the heat in my cheeks as I glimpsed over my shoulder to see some smiling while others completely unbothered.

“Thanks for the vote of confidence Tony. But I doubt any of these people care.” I said still blushing. “Ah, what do they know? I care and you, young lady are gonna be something special, mark my words. What can I get ya? The regular?” “Yes please, and one of your apple fritters!” I loved his fritters. It was always the little things, the simple pleasures of life. “You got it! A large extra extra and one fritter for my CEO.” He winked and I smiled.After my daily dose of encouragement from Pop, as we affectionately called Tony, I headed into work.

As I said, I had been in the city for over 2 years. After graduation I quickly ran North chasing the 'big dream'. I wanted to be somebody, and the opportunities were different here compared to the South. Not to say anything bad about the South, I am a proud southern gal to the heart, but things are different up here. I needed a faster pace, and a challenge. At home, it is easy like Sunday morning any day of the week. People here are a lot less involved with other people, but that came with the territory. There are pros and cons to everything you do so…

I got my job while finishing up finals. I started looking early, because I had a plan. I didn’t want to be out here naked. I needed to know I had a job and a home before anything. My parents wanted me to stay but I couldn't see myself building a future and doing all the things I wanted to do in that small town. I needed the big city I needed New York, which is why I'm here.

It was scary when I first got here, small town girl in a big city. But I quickly learn to adjust in the freedoms of this amazing place. For the first time in my life aside from college, although I went home every weekend, I was on my own. Had to put on my big-girl panties and face this world on its terms.

So far things have been excellent. I love my job oh, and I love the city life. I've made a lot of great friends here, my best friend’s being Janet and Marshall. We all live in the same building and spend more time with each other than we do alone. Janet is in fashion she loves clothes. All of her days are spent sitting in the middle of the floor with patterns all over the place. Marshall is in a band and we go see them wherever they play. He's the lead singer and they do pretty good, I'm a fan.

I've gone on a few dates since I've been here. Nothing serious just casual dating. Although I most of my dates lately had been with Stewart or Stu as he liked to be called. He wasn’t my boyfriend, just someone I spent time with. He was pretty cool; we had a lot in common. He wasn’t looking for anything serious either so there was no pressure. Besides, I wasn’t about to be giving my forbidden fruit to anyone who didn’t put a ring on it. I was young but no fool! I had my fair share of relationships, and I love me enough not to just be giving it away.

My parents don't agree with casual dating they have old southern traditions especially about sex. They believe that you should wait until marriage and that you should always be aiming toward the goal of being married. I thought about it but it's not something that’s important right now I have plenty of time for that. What is important to me right now is making sure I achieve all my goals before I get tied down to family life. I'm only 26 so have plenty of time for that.

Janet on the other hand, is a hopeless romantic. She believes that everyone should be in love. She can go on and on about her endless romantic encounters, she is indeed hopeless. In myeyes she falls in love way too easily, but I can't help but be happy for her each time it happens.

Her current boyfriend Billy is pretty cool. Let Janet tell it it's nothing but bubbles and rainbows. Janet can go on and on for days about how in love she is with Billy, after only weeks of knowing him. So, who was I to kill her dreams? I rode with her, if she was in love I was in love with the idea.

Marshall on the other hand has never really been one for love. He believes that musicians don't fall in love. They have what he would call groupie love. Plenty of women who love them for the music they play, or the idea of them being in a band not for who they are. Which is sad if you think about it. He said he would be in love with the idea of being in love. He wasn’t ruling it out, he just never really felt it. Girlfriends got in the way of his image. Marshall would say it’s easier being a sex symbol if you’re single, than tied down. I can respect that.

Entering the building I was greeted by the doorman Mr. Johnson. He is the kindest man I've met since I've been here. “Good morning Mr. Johnson. I spoke with a smile. “Good morning, Miss Eve” Mr. Johnson said back”. Although he is older than me, he is very respectful. He opened the door holding it for me. “How are you this morning?” I asked. Mr. Johnson always makes my mornings. “God saw fit for me to see another day so I'm doing okay. And you?” “Amazing thanks for asking.” “I see you got your favorites from old Tony’s this morning.” He said and laughed. Mr. Johnson and I have had many conversations about Pops and how good his coffee and fritters are. Mr. Johnson has been going there for years. Him and Mr. Tony are good friends. “Oh God yes. I said and clutched them to my chest as if to give them a hug. “Alright now, you enjoy and have a great day.” “I plan on it and you do the same.” Mr. Johnson tipped his hat to me and turned around, going back to his post. He always made my mornings. There are some people you just can’t live without and Mr. Johnson was one of them. Thinking of him made me smile.