Sheltered(2)

It’s probably because it’s been forever since I’ve seen Fritz. He graduated a year before me and jumped right into his career. He’s really busy, which I understand, because he’s a Hamilton, after all. His family is well known all through Charleston, and he said it’s expected he’ll carry a heavy workload once school is finished. I’m hopeful now that I’ve taken a job at his art gallery that we’ll get to spend more time together.

I check my watch to be sure I’m not late, and sigh. I’ve still got about thirty minutes before I can walk across the street and start my new job. I take another sip of my coffee and try not to be so nervous as I look out on King Street.

It’s hard, though, when I’m going to work for an art gallery and I know nothing about art. My degree is in business, but it’s my understanding that my job will be managing the back end of things. I think it’s mostly clerical and shipping, but I tried to show some initiative and read up about the art world over the past few weeks. I only had one class my freshman year in college on art history. I think most of it left my brain the moment I got my credit. But I know this was a big step for Fritz, asking me to work for his company, and I don’t want to disappoint anyone. I want to do my best and make him proud of me.

I definitely won’t confess that art bores the life out of me, because this job will take me in the direction I want. I just hope I don’t make a fool of myself this first week and some of what I learned has managed to stick inside my head. It doesn’t normally take me long to pick up on things, and I want to prove myself. While my boyfriend might have handed me this job, I can do it above and beyond what everyone expects.

Fritz has had a guiding hand in my life over the past few years, and I’m so grateful to him for all he’s done. Almost from the moment I met him my sophomore year, he’s been the best thing that ever happened to me. At first we were friends, which was great because I didn’t have any. I was so focused on studying and my part-time job in the enrollment office at the university that I didn’t have time for anyone. But he came along and changed everything.

Our friendship slowly grew into something more, but over time we fell in love. I didn’t know from the start how well we would fit together, but I was wrong. I’d been so focused on school and I honestly didn’t think he’d ever see me as more than a friend. But one day things changed.

I opened up to him, and I’d never done that with anyone before. He understood what I wanted in life and helped me find a path. He even helped me change my major to something more realistic. I wanted to be a teacher, but he reminded me that I’d likely struggle to make ends meet. And the last thing I wanted was to end up like her. It was hard for me to give up on that dream of teaching, but I knew Fritz was right. I didn’t want to have to struggle my whole life. He also said all I needed was a degree in business and he’d be able to take care of me. That he could offer me a job with his company and we could work together. Everything he said was true, and I’ve been lucky to have him.

The bell over the door chimes again and I glance up, watching the man from earlier leave. I smugly look away, reminding myself Fritz is my everything. It’s been hard with my last year of school and his workload, but I know we’ll get back on track.

Picking up my cell from the table I check over my texts to see if Fritz has sent me anything. It still only shows the one from last night when I asked him if he’d be at the gallery in the morning. I know he owns the place, or maybe his family does. I didn’t ask because I didn’t want to be rude. I do know Fritz owns a few businesses, so he can’t be at all of them at once, and I’ll be meeting the woman who runs the gallery this morning.

There was a quick reply and some good luck emojis before he said he was getting back to work. Still, I was hoping I could have talked to him before my first day. He’s busy, and I remind myself to not let it get me down. Fritz isn’t the only boyfriend I’ve ever had, but he’s meant the most to me. Maybe now with me not being in college anymore things can go back to the way they were when we got to spend more time together. I know our relationship can only change for the better. How could it not?

I check my watch and see that I still have twenty minutes until I need to be there, but I’d rather be early than late. Grabbing my now empty cup, I toss it into the trash before heading to the bathroom. I stand at the mirror and take a look at myself to make sure I don’t have anything on me.

I’m wearing a white, button-up, long-sleeved shirt that is tucked into my wide-legged black pants. I paired it with simple black shoes that have a low heel. I want to be able to move around without my feet dying by the end of the day, but still be stylish. There’s a black silk bow at the neck of my shirt and I play with it for a second to make sure it’s perfect. I thought I should wear neutral colors until I see how other people are dressed.

My dark hair is down, falling over one shoulder in long, soft waves. I pull my lip gloss out of my purse and apply a little. I kept my makeup light, too. I knew this was an outfit Fritz would approve of. Simple and doesn’t stand out too much.

He once told me that’s how true southern belles dress and act. After that I’ve always tried to get my loud laugh and southern twang under control. It’s hard, but over the past few years I’ve gotten better at it.

Dropping my lip glass back into my purse, I grab my bag and head out to what I hope is the first day of the rest of my new life.