Abby's Bad Day

Written for "Invalid Item"  August contest, using Appetizer #1. The course of a character's life is changed completely by a random event.

Abby's Bad Day

Cold rain poured down on the unforgiving city streets. Abigail Morgan stared out at it for a moment, dreading the long walk ahead of her. She knew she couldn't delay the inevitable for much longer, but still she lingered. This would have been a good day to stay in bed, curled up with a good book, she thought. With reluctance, she turned away from the window. Her eyes landed on Jordan.

"Wish me luck, kiddo," she said.

"Good luck, Mommy," Jordan replied dutifully, his eyes glued to the television screen in front of him.

Abby frowned.

"Don't worry, Abby," her mother said, appearing from the kitchen. "I won't let him watch too much longer."

Abby gave her mother a grateful smile. "Thank you so much for watching him."

"What else would I be doing today?" the old woman asked, waving Abby's thanks away.

Abby knelt down in front of Jordan. "If things go well today, we won't be eating any more mac-n-cheese meals." She smoothed her son's hair back and kissed his forehead.

"I like mac-n-cheese, Mom," Jordan protested.

Abby rolled her eyes as she stood. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves and smoothed her simple black skirt down. "I'd better get going. I don't want to be late."

Her mother stepped forward, stopping Abby with a hand on her arm. She pressed something into Abby's hand.

"Take a cab today, Abby."

Abby started shaking her head. "I won't take your money." She tried passing the twenty back, wondering where her mother had come by extra money.

"Abby," her mother said firmly. "Don't you want to look nice and presentable when you arrive for your interview?"

Abby sighed, but nodded, accepting the cash. She grabbed her purse and pulled open the door.

"Don't forget your umbrella, Mommy!" Jordan yelled, barely glancing up from his cartoons.

Abby ducked back inside to grab it. "My little lifesaver." She blew a kiss to her son before shutting the door on their smiling, hopeful faces. She paused a moment there in the hallway to gather herself, wondering why she had ever thought she could do this in the first place.

Her mother had been the one to suggest that she apply for the job at Allen and Allen, a profitable law firm that was currently looking for a secretary. Abby had some phone experience, but that had been ages ago, when their lives hadn't looked so grim and bleak. Now, Abby worked as a maid in a crummy hotel where she was lucky if they remembered to give her a paycheck.

She squared her shoulders. Her mother and Jordan depended on her. She wouldn't let them down without at least giving this a fair shot.

A few moments later, Abby was pushing open the door to the apartment building. She stopped on the steps leading to the street to struggle with her umbrella. The stupid thing was jammed again. The rain was really a light drizzle, but Abby was still getting wet as she tried pleading with the umbrella to open before her hair was completely ruined.

Abby moved down the stairs so that she wasn't blocking the door. Finally the catch released and the umbrella popped open, striking a passing pedestrian.

"Oh my God! I am so sorry!" Abby nearly dropped the dratted umbrella in her haste to make sure the man was all right. He had doubled over, holding his midsection, not a good sign. Abby was just glad the tip of her umbrella was rounded. She hoped she hadn't inadvertently caused any lasting damage. That was the last thing she needed right now.

"Are you okay?" she asked, moving the umbrella out of harm's way. She reached a hand out to the man, not sure how he was going to react.

The man finally looked up at her and straightened. The annoyance immediately disappeared from his face, replaced by a charming smile. Abby took a step back, a hand going to her throat. She was aware that her hair was now a matted, tangled mess. Cold raindrops slipped down her neck, making her shiver. Her light makeup was probably running down her cheeks, she realized. She must look a fright. Abby could have cried. There was no way her interview was going to go well. And on top of all that, she was running late. She would have to take a taxi after all.

"I'm so sorry about hitting you," Abby began. "My umbrella was jammed--"

The man's smile widened, causing Abby's words to trail off. She couldn't see anything remotely amusing about the situation.

"Did you realize your umbrella has a hole in it?" the man asked in a pleasant tone, pointing at the offending object.

Abby was already so wet, she hadn't even noticed raindrops were still falling on her head. She glanced up. The small rip she had noticed in her umbrella two weeks ago was now a good-sized tear. She groaned.

"Could this day get any worse?" she asked of the universe in general.

She didn't expect a response, but she got one anyway.

"Do you need a lift somewhere?" the man asked. He seemed oblivious of the water dampening his hair and expensive-looking suit.

"Oh no, you don't have to do that," Abby protested. She was seriously considered just turning around and heading back up to her apartment. Perhaps she should just crawl back into bed. If her day so far was any indication, her interview would be a disaster anyway.

"Come on," the man said. "My car's right there. I won't even mind if you drip on the seat." He flashed her another smile and Abby found herself actually noticing him for the first time. He was tall and dark-haired and definitely handsome. His hair curled down around his ears boyishly. His teeth were white and perfect and dimples appeared when he smiled.

"Well, I do have this interview I need to get to, but I must be a mess. I don't even know if it's worth going." Abby closed the useless umbrella.

The man grabbed her elbow and steered her to the curb. He opened the door of a shiny black car. Abby wasn't an expert, but the car looked expensive, too. She allowed herself to be handed into the leathery interior.

The man slid behind the wheel. "You can't stay home just because you got a little wet. It's raining outside! I'm sure the interviewer will understand. You can't achieve something if you don't even try." He rubbed his hands together and started the car. The engine purred. "Now where to?"

"You really don't have to do this," Abby said. She wasn't used to charitable gestures from anyone. She certainly didn't know if she should trust this man, though he seemed nice enough. At least he wasn't threatening to sue her.

"Just think of me as your eager chauffeur. You looked like you were having a bad day, so a lift is the least I can do."

"You don't even know me," Abby replied.

He turned to look at her, his blue eyes capturing hers. "I'd like to." He offered his hand. "I'm Bryant."

Abby accepted the proffered hand. "Abby."

Something flickered in his eyes, but Abby was too upset to place the expression. "Nice to meet you, Abby." Instead of releasing her hand, he brought it to his mouth, gently pressing his lips to her knuckles.

No one had ever done that to Abby before. She thought such a gesture would seem kind of cheesy, but it didn't come across that way at all. She felt her heartbeat speed up at the feathery touch of his lips before he released her hand.

"Now where to?" he repeated.

She gave him the address. He laughed and shook his head in amusement as he pulled smoothly into traffic.

"What's so funny?" Abby demanded.

Mirth danced in his eyes when he glanced at her. "I'm heading to the same building. Small world, isn't it?"

Abby gave him a polite smile.

"So, let me guess," Bryant said with a lazy smile. "You're interviewing at Allen and Allen?"

Abby glanced at him. "How did you know?"

His smile widened. "Perhaps I should have mentioned that I'm Bryant Allen."

It took a moment for Abby to grasp the implications. "Oh God!" She dropped her head into her hands. "And I hit you with my stupid umbrella! Great first impression." Her shaking shoulders betrayed her tears. "I'm doomed."

"Well, if you want, I could probably put a good word in for you."

Abby raised her head, wiping her cheeks with the palms of her hands. "This is perfect! This should give you an indication of how my life goes." She stared unseeing at the passing city scenery. "The worst part is, my son is really counting on me to get this job." Her hands twisted together in her lap. She knew she had no hopes of landing the job now. She should have known she would screw this up without even trying.

A look of confusion spread across his face. "Don't count yourself out yet," Bryant said. "You haven't even had the interview yet."

Abby sighed and pushed her wet hair out of her face as Bryant spun the car into a parking garage.

"Thanks for the ride, Mr. Allen." She kept her eyes on her folded hands.

"It's Bryant," he said firmly. He pulled into a parking spot and cut the engine, but made no move to get out of the car. He caressed the wheel for a moment, thinking.

"Abby, I was honestly impressed with your resume. That's why I wanted to meet with you."

"Really?" She couldn't hold back a sniffle, even knowing that she was making a complete dope of herself.

"Of course. Now come on. I'll even drive you home afterwards." He winked at her. "I even know where you live."

Abby was puzzled. "Why are you being so nice?"

He shrugged. "I'm a nice guy. Believe it or not, there are a few of us in this concrete jungle."

He got out of the car and held the door open for her. "The best part about walking in with me is I won't make you wait in the lobby." He ushered her into the building and then into an elevator. His office was on the seventh floor and appeared empty except for them. He led her into the inner office.

"Just give me a second here." He frowned at the clutter on his desk as he hung his coat up. Finally he sighed and sank into the chair behind the desk. "I'll make this easy for you, Abby. You're hired."

Abby almost fell over. Her mouth dropped open. Nothing ever came this easy for her. "What?"

He grinned up at her. "Please take a seat."

Abby could only nod as she sat before her legs could give out. "Are you sure, sir? You really want me to be your secretary?"

"I already told you to call me Bryant. As for the job, I like you, Abby. And," He frowned at his desk again, "as you can see, I'm in dire need of some organization around here." He looked back up, his eyes locking onto hers. "I had other interviews lined up, but you certainly captured my attention. My father used to say, 'Don't ever underestimate the little things in life, for it is the little things that shape our destinies.' "